Exploring the Phytochemical Composition and Pharmacological Activities of Cerbera manghas and Cerbera odollam: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Cerbera genus is a mangrove plant that belongs to the Apocynaceae family and is widespread in tropical Asia, Australia, and various islands in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. 1 The two most common species of Cerbera are C. odollam and C. manghas. In Indonesia these two species are known as "bintaro", while in other countries they are known as pong-pong tree, blind rhino, mango laut, wood octopus, and babuto. 2 C. manghas is a tree that can reach 20 m in height with a diameter of 70 cm. The branches of the tree are thick and succulent, while the stem contains prominent lenticels and softwood. The leaves are dark green and spirally arranged. The fruit is oval and has a single seed. When ripe, it changes colour to bright red. 3 C. odollam is a tree measuring up to 12 m and has dark green leaves with leaf stalks measuring 2-5 cm long. The fruit is round, like an apple or a small mango, with poisonous seeds. When the fruit is ripe, it will change from green to reddish purple to brownish black and fall from the tree. 4 Distinguishing features include the flowers of C. odollam with tiny yellow eyes and the oval fruits. In contrast, flowers of C. manghas have a prominent pink eye, and fruits are more elongated, resembling mango. 5 In several reports, it is stated that the C. manghas species is the same as C. odollam. Based on the phylogenetic tree, C. odollam and C. manghas are different plants. 6 Based on literature search, the two species are also reported to contain different compounds or secondary metabolites. 5