Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the medicinal species of the genusCordia(Boraginaceae)

Abstract

Objectives Cordia (family Boraginaceae) is a genus of deciduous flowering trees or shrubs comprising more than 300 species distributed widely in the tropical regions. The aim of this review was to provide exhaustive scientific information on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the 36 important species with medicinal value from the genus Cordia, to divulge prospects for further research on its therapeutic potential. Key findings Leaves, fruit, bark and seed of a majority of the species were found to possess abundant ethnomedicinal value, but leaves were found to be used most frequently to treat many ailments such as respiratory disorders, stomach pain, wound, inflammation, myalgia, cough, dysentery and diarrhoea. The phytochemical investigation of 36 species resulted in isolation of 293 chemical constituents from various chemical classes. The crude extracts, fractions, essential oils and pure compounds isolated from various Cordia species were reported to have a varied range of pharmacological activities. Summary Many of the traditional uses of the genus Cordia were supported by the results obtained from pharmacological studies performed using various extracts or pure compounds. More attention should be given to the biological evaluation using pure phytochemicals and to identify the mechanism of actions and exploring this genus for new drug discovery.

Identification of Antifungal Compounds from the Root Bark of Cordia anisophylla J.S. Mill.

“…The targeted isolation of selected compounds by gradient transfer from analytical HPLC-photodiode array (PDA) to FC-UV allowed efficient purification for further bioactivity and structural investigation. From a chemotaxonomic viewpoint, the presence of 6-hydroxychromenol (1) and quinone derivatives (3) are in agreement with previous studies 21,22 on the Cordia genus where similar compounds have been described. Even though the isolated compounds showed antifungal activity against the susceptible strain on the bioautography assay, they did not show antifungal activity in a broth micro-dilution plate against C. albicans at the concentration tested.…”

Toxicity Assessment and Evaluation of Analgesic, Antipyretic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities on Cordia obliqua Leaf Methanol Extract

“…The results support traditionally mentioned uses of this plant as well as pharmacological importance of genus Cordia according to previous studies. 17,18 The two models of thermal nociception, hot plate and tail flick method were used to evaluate the central analgesic activity of COME. 6 In hot plate method the two-dose level (medium and high) of COME showed highly significant analgesic effect after 90 min of administration.…”

Cordia Dichotoma as Corrosion Inhibitor for Aluminum

“…Cordia dichotoma is a medium sized tree, widespread in Rajasthan, India, where it is locally known as Lashooda or Lesua. It yields edible fruits, from which a very sticky white substance can be extracted, while the leaves, fruit, bark and seeds exhibit anti-diabetic, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulator and analgesic properties [11][12][13][14]. The scientific classification of the Cordia dichotoma is as follows: kingdom -Plantae; family -Boraginaceae; genus -Cordia; species -C. dichotoma; bionomical name -Cordia dichotoma.…”