Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Activities of Genus <i>Erythroxylum</i>

Abstract

Erythroxylum P. Browne represents the largest genus in the Erythroxylaceae family, comprising around 230 species. It is widely distributed in South America, Madagascar, Asia, and Australia. A significant number of species from the genus have been employed in traditional medicine to alleviate a variety of health issues. Except for cocaine-producing species, the genus has not received substantial chemical investigation. However, phytochemicals such as terpenoids and flavonoids from other species have also been found in Erythroxylum. Thus, the review aims to collect and analyze the scientific data available about the Erythroxylum species in terms of their phytoconstituents and pharmacological actions. The review also focuses on summarizing past study results and analyzing future directions of Erythroxylum species research.