Saccopetalum tomentosum: Review of Its Botany, Medicinal Uses, Pharmacological Activities and Phytochemistry

Abstract

Green medicine, or pharmaceuticals made from plants, has gained widespread interest since they are thought to be more trustworthy and safe than expensive synthetic drugs with side effects. Miliusa species include Saccopetalum tomentosum (S. tomentosum). Plants of S. tomentosum are abundant in tropical and subtropical areas, particularly in mainland Asia. In examining phytochemical and pharmacological features, more than ten Miliusa species were highlighted. S. tomentosum from Vietnam, Taiwan, and China was one of the main targets for phytochemical research. The isolation of numerous secondary metabolites has been successful. Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, styryls, and lactones are just a few of the chemical components obtained from S. tomentosum, but serial new derivatives of geranylated homogentisic acid may serve as biomarkers for differentiating Miliusa species. Simple, alternating, ovate, pubescent to glabrous, membranous leaves. Flowers solitary, fascicled or in cymes, extra-axillary or axillary, with oval or obovate bracts, monoecious, dioecious, or occasionally polygamous. Three sepals, valvate, Petals are arranged in two series, six in total, and are valvate in the buds. The outer petals resemble sepals in size and shape, while the inner petals are larger and thinner. Anthers are globose and extrorse, the connectives are slightly apiculate, and the stamens can be definite or indeterminate. Ovules 1–10, stigma club-shaped, style often short, and carpels indefinitely linear-oblong in shape. Numerous, stalked or subsessile, ovoid or rectangular, ripe carpels 1-2 or more seeds.
 Keywords: S. tomentosum, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activity, Ayurveda, Medicinal uses