Title:Chemical Constituents and Biological Significance of the Genus Ilex (Aquifoliaceae)
VOLUME: 2 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Sudhir K. Kothiyal, Satish C. Sati, Mohan S. M. Rawat, Manisha D. Sati, Deepak K. Semwal, Ruchi B. Semwal, Amita Sharma, Bipin Rawat and Ashok Kumar
Affiliation:Department of Chemistry, H.N.B. Garhwal University, Srinagar-246174, Uttarakhand, India.
Keywords:Ilex; aquifoliaceae, triterpenoids, saponins, cytotoxic, antioxidant, CNS stimulants, mate tree, flavonoids, bioactive constituents.
Abstract:The genus Ilex (Aquifoliaceae) was reviewed for its chemical constituents and pharmacological significance
including traditional uses. The structure-activity relationship for various compounds was illustrated to understand the
mechanism of a particular activity. The genus has been known for its numerous biological activities like antioxidant,
antimicrobial, cytotoxic, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-inflammatory etc. Most of the plants of this genus are rich sources
of triterpenoids and saponins. Besides, these plants also contain flavonoids, alkaloids, anthocyanins and other phenolics in
minute quantity. The bioactive constituents or plants extracts themselves, in the form of herbal drugs from this genus,
have been validated for the treatment of various diseases and these would be used as a new formulation for the novel
drugs discovery in pharmaceutical industries.
