Phytochemical and Biological Studies of Ochna Species

Abstract

The genus Ochna L. (Gr, Ochne; wild pear), belonging to the Ochnaceae family, includes ca. 85 species of evergreen trees, shrubs, and shrublets, distributed in tropical Asia, Africa, and America. Several members of this genus have long been used in folk medicine for treatment of various ailments, such as asthma, dysentery, epilepsy, gastric disorders, menstrual complaints, lumbago, ulcers, as an abortifacient, and as antidote against snake bites. Up to now, ca. 111 constituents, viz. flavonoids (including bi-, tri-, and pentaflavonoids), anthranoids, triterpenes, steroids, fatty acids, and a few others have been identified in the genus. Crude extracts and isolated compounds have been found to exhibit analgesic, anti-HIV-1, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities, lending support to the rationale behind several of its traditional uses. The present review compiles the informations concerning the traditional uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of Ochna.

Total synthesis of ochnaflavone

“…1) is a biflavone with an ether linkage between the B-rings of the apigenin and luteolin subunits [12], which has been isolated from several members of the Ochnaceae, a plant family that is rich in biflavonoids [13]. It is considered as the taxonomic marker for the genus Ochna [13].…”

“…1) is a biflavone with an ether linkage between the B-rings of the apigenin and luteolin subunits [12], which has been isolated from several members of the Ochnaceae, a plant family that is rich in biflavonoids [13]. It is considered as the taxonomic marker for the genus Ochna [13]. A wide range of activities have been reported for 1 , amongst them prominent anticancer [14–15], anti-inflammatory and atherogenic activity [16–17].…”

A Nitrile Glucoside and Biflavones from the Leaves of Campylospermum excavatum (Ochnaceae)

“…The Ochnaceae botanical family, which includes among others the genera Ouratea , Ochna and Campylospermum , is known for the biosynthesis of biflavonoids. Some of them, such as amentoflavone and ochnaflavone are used as chemotaxonomic markers in Ouratea and Ochna genera, respectively. Nevertheless, this is the first report of isolation of ochnaflavone derivatives from Campylospermum species.…”

Identification of Vietnamese <i>Ochna integerrima</i>&nbsp;(Lour.) Merr Species Based on Ribosomal DNA Internal Transcribed Spacer Sequence

“…The plant is popularly used as the bonsai species in this country including O. integerrima (five petals-mountain flower plant) and O. atropurpurea (four seasons flower) [4]. Some members of this genus have been cultivated as the decorative plants because of their colourful flowers and unusual fruits, for instance: O. kirkii, O. mossambicensis, O. schweinfurthiana, O. serrulata and O. thomasiana [5]. O. integerrima species is called in Vietnamese "mickey-mouse plant" or "lucky flower" and is grown as an ornamental garden plant due to its typically beautiful flower.…”

“…This genus is rich in some medicinal compounds such as bioflavonoids, anthranoids and oavonoids [7,8]. The leaves have long been used in traditional medicine for treatment of various ailments included: asthma, dysentery, epilepsy, gastric disorders, menstrual, lumbago, ulcers, and also used as an abortifacient, or antidote against snakebite [5]. The plant bark and roots are often used in traditional medicine as a digestive tonic and a cathartic for worms and a medicine for lymphatic disorder [6].…”