Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (ISSN: 2583-1704) An International Research Journal Journal homepage: www. dap.sciencearchives.org https://doi.org/10.47587/DPSA.2023.3301 Review Article A comprehensive review on Uvaria species: conservation status, ethnobotanical uses and pharmacological activities Srushti Prajna Mohanty1, Durga Prasad Barik1✉, Arpita Moharana2 1 Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack-753003, Odisha, India ICAR-National Rice Research Institute (ICAR-NRRI), Cuttack-753006, Odisha, India Received: Jul 06, 2023/ Revised: Aug 20, 2023/ Accepted: Aug 25, 2023 (✉) Corresponding Author: dpbarik@ravenshawuniversity.ac.in 2 Abstract Uvaria genus of family Annonaceae comprises of 168 accepted species. These aromatic trees and woody scandent shrubs have originated from South America, distributed throughout India, Africa, Bangladesh and many parts of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The extensive use of their root, stem, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and seed has been indicated in the traditional medicinal system to treat diseases like fever, malaria, jaundice, minor infections, menstrual pain, diabetes and epilepsy. Such important uses of Uvaria species have led to their chemical analysis to obtain bio-active compounds. Uvaretin, Grandifloracin and Zeylenol are some of the significant compounds discovered in their plant parts. Uvaria species were reported to possess antidiabetic, anticancerous, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiprotozoal, antivenom and anti-inflammatory properties. This paper presents the comprehensive compilation of this genus; their status and distribution, ethnobotanical uses, pharmacological activities, isolated phytochemical constituents covering up to the recent literatures. This may be useful for further characterization of its secondary metabolites for utilisation in pharmaceutical industries. Keywords: Annonaceae, Uvaria, Phytochemical constituents, Pharmacology, Uvaretin. Introduction Herbal medicines have now gained popularity worldwide; especially in developing countries where every individual doesn’t have easy access to modern synthetic drugs. Their relatively minimal side effects and economical price have attracted considerable attention towards their discovery. The information on medicinal plants is available in traditional scholarly written documents and pharma copies for doctors and institutions (Heinrich, 2000). Such knowledge is beneficial in extracting pure compounds having therapeutic potential from plants for drug formulation purposes. Annonaceae is the largest family of order Magnoliales comprising of 108 accepted genera and about 2400 species (Chatrou et al., 2012; Singh and Jain, 2015). Uvaria, one of the genera of Annonaceae family includes approximately 168 species which have originated from South America. The majority of its population is dispersed throughout India (Table 1), Africa, Bangladesh and parts of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand (Zhou et al., 2010; Turner, 2015; Padma et al., 2020). The genus Uvaria is species-rich having aromatic trees, scandent shrubs and woody climbers (Couvreur, 2014; Singh and Jain, 2015). The species of this genus have been traditionally used to cure various health issues in different parts of the world. Some pharmacological studies have been carried out to understand and validate those traditional medicinal applications. They are valued for exhibiting antidiabetic, anticancerous, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In present review, updated information about the conservation status, ethnobotanical uses, various classes of compounds isolated along with their pharmacological properties of different Uvaria species have been summarized. Methodology Different research papers, written in English, were extracted from electronic databases including Web of science, Google scholar, Scopus, Pubmed and Embase using keywords Uvaria and taxonomy or conservation status or ethnobotany or 56 Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 Nature has been a vital source of medicines from time immemorial. The plant-derived medicines are found as relatively less harmful than synthetic ones, offering better therapeutic benefits. Now-a-days, constituents of several modern drugs have been isolated from natural sources based on their traditional uses. Many important modern drugs like aspirin, digitoxin, vinblastine, vincristine, metformin, ephedrine and atropine were discovered by following lead compounds from the ethnobotanical uses (Christopher, 2021). The ethnobotanical knowledge points out which species are likely to contain bioactive compounds so that these can be studied in detail for phytochemical and pharmacological aspects. phytochemistry or pharmacology or anticancer or antidiabetic or antimicrobial from the year 1977 to 2022. The plant data base (www.theplantlist.org.in) has been used to authenticate scientific and author names. Botanical Profile of Uvaria species Uvaria species are aromatic trees, woody climbers and scandent shrubs which have more or less stellate-pubescent on the branches. Typical Annonaceae pattern leaves are observed. Interestingly, leaves only are helpful species identification. They are elliptic to elliptic-oblong or obovate, prominently nerved, stellate pubescent above and apex acute. Flowers of Uvaria are solitary, terminal or leaf-opposed actinomorphic and possess valvate sepals. Imbricate leathery petals are sometimes connate at base. Outer stamens are sometimes sterile, carpels many, ovary linear-oblong, style short, thick; many ovules are present. The fruits are dry or berried, often sweet and edible and found to be one to many seeded (Saxena and Brahmam, 1994; Zhou et al., 2010; Couvreur, 2014). Table 1 presents some of the important plant species of the genus Uvaria, that have been documented for their remarkable ethnobotanical uses. The extensive use of root, stem, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and seed has been mentioned in the traditional medicinal system. Some species have been also investigated for lead compound. It seems that most of the species of this genus like U. acuminata (Said, 2011), U. narum (Patil, 2017) and U. scheffleri (Nkunya, 2004) are used to treat common fever. Similarly, malarial fever and cerebral malaria are treated through extracts of U. acuminata (Said, 2011), U. afzelii, U. comperei (Simo, 2020), U. kirkii, U. leptocladon (Teklehaymanot, 2010). Disorder related to stomach, like stomach pain and many intestinal problems were also cured using U. acuminata (Said, 2011), U. chamae, U. comperei (Simo, 2020), U. kirkii and U. lucida (Hedberg, 1982). Beside these common diseases, there are many reports about the use of some Uvaria species against diabetes like U. chamae (Okorie, 1977) and U. narum (Alsawalha, 2019), against jaundice like U. afzelii, U. hamiltonii (Rahmatullah, 2010) and U. narum (Patil, 2017), against tumours like U. rufa (Nguyen, 2015) and against mental illness like U. lucida (Hedberg, 1982). Root extract of U.acuminata (Ichimaru, 2004; Runyoro, 2006) used as remedy for dysentery, menstrual pain and chest diseases. Leaf extract of U. afzelii heals wounds and act as an anti-inflammatory agent to the eye problems (Okoli, 2004). In addition, stem bark extract of U. leptocladon is used for treatment of veneral diseases, epilepsy, swollen legs (Hedberg, 1982). Conservation Status Irregularities in climatic conditions and anthropogenic activities are major reasons for degradation of natural resources. This leads to increasing frequency and intensity of forest-fires, storms, landslides, and floods. As a result, population of numerous plants and animals are dwindling, making their status threatened. Since method of seed propagation is time consuming, it is also responsible for rare occurrence of plant species. In Odisha, U. hamiltonii mostly grow wild along rivers and streams and the seeds are dispersed by water. They get established at suitable habitats. Majority of the ripe fruits are consumed by the local tribals and frugivorous birds and the fallen seeds in stream water perish and do not get germinated (Mohanty and Barik, 2022). It has been clearly mentioned that 26.67 ± 15.28 percentage of germination observed in U. micranthum and 13.33 ± 5.77 percentage of germination observed in U. purpurea (Pratiwi et al., 2022). Seeds of Uvaria acuminata shows 100 percentage of germination being scarified (chipped with scalpel), inoculated on agar; exposed to photoperiod of 16 hrs light vs. 8hours dark at 20-25 0C whereas seeds of Uvaria acuminata without any kind of treatment have shown 88 percentage of germination (Ferreira et al., 2019). Phytochemical Study Genus Uvaria is a well-known source for phytochemicals and there is growing interest among researchers to examine them for therapeutic properties. The works on different Uvaria species revealed the presence of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, steroids, phenolic compounds, flavonids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins. It is also important to learn that majorly roots and leaves of Uvaria species are potent sources of phytochemicals. Therefore, some species of Uvaria in India are listed under IUCN Red list of threatened plants (Table 1). According to documentation by GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Uvaria species namely U. angolensis and U. chamae are are placed under least concern category, U. combretifolia is placed under vulnerable category whereas U. kirkii is placed under near threatened category. Envis Resource Partners on Biodiversity Portal, 2020 has indicated the status of U. hamiltonii as threatened and U. lurida as rare species. Nayar and Sastry (1987) have assigned threatened status to U. eucincta. Among different species studied, U. chamae is found to possess all the mentioned phytochemicals in its plant parts like root, stem and leaf. Along with that its fruit contains flavonoid and phenolic compounds. Use of steroids in medical science is very common now-a-days. Occurrence of steroids was Ethnobotanical uses of different Uvaria species 57 Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 Table 1. Distribution, Conservation status and ethnobotanical uses of Uvaria species Sl. No. 01 Species U. acuminata Vernacular Names Tomur, Tumorr, Murori, Virori Distribution East Africa Conservation Status Least Concern Plant Parts Used Root Stem bark 02 03 U. afzelii NPD West Africa NPD Root root Bark Leaf and Traditional Uses References Treats dysentery, menstrual pain, snake bite, chest diseases and oral candidiasis Fever, malaria and stomach disorders (Ichimaru et al., 2004; Runyoro et al., 2006; Said, 2011) Tropical Plants Database Treats malarial fever, bronchitis and jaundice Okoli and Iroegbu., 2004 Act as an anti-inflammatory agent to the eye problems Stem bark Used against sexually transmitted diseases, cures dysentery and upper respiratory infections. NPD Madagascar Endangered Leaf Malaria 04 U. ambongoensis U. angolensis Boyinya West Africa Least Concern NPD Fever and rheumatism 05 U. argentea NPD Least Concern NPD NPD Plants of the world online Portal, 2023 06 U. chamae Okandii Assam, Bangladesh, China SouthCentral, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam West Africa, Central Africa Least Concern Root Treats fever, piles, diarrhea, menorrhegia, epiostaxis, gastroenteritis, wounds, diabetes mellitus, bronchitis, gastroenteritis, malaria, haematuria, haemalyis & vomiting Used as contraceptive Okorie, 1977; Igoli et al., 2005; Adebayo and Krettli, 2011; Borokini and Omatayo, 2012; Kadiri et al., 2014; Koudokpon et al., 2018; Root bark 58 Norscia and Borgognini, 2006; Rao et al., 2003 Oyesiku and Soladoye, 2008 Borokini and Omatayo, 2012; Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 07 U. comperei NPD 08 U. concave NPD 09 U. grandiflora Kalak, Pisang akar 10 U. hamiltonii Lakankoli, Latkan Stem Treats piles, diarrhea, menorrhegia, epiostaxis, gastroenteritis, wounds, sore throats, haematuria, haemalyis, vomiting Igoli et al., 2005; Borokini and Omatayo, 2012 Leaf Treats diabetes mellitus, bronchitis, gastroenteritis, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, abdominal pain, piles Okwu et al., 2009; Borokini and Omatayo, 2012; Diallo et al., 2012 West Africa, Central Africa India (Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andamans), Bhutan, Bangladesh India (Andaman), Burma NPD Leaf Treats malaria, dysentery and abdominal ache Simo et al., 2020 Threatened NPD NPD Zhou et al., 2010; Turner, 2015 Vulnerable Stem Treats malaria and tumours India (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma Threatened Seed Treats gonorrhea jaundice Zhou et al., 2010; Seangphakdee et al., 2013; Turner, 2015; Padma et al., 2020 Asha et al., 2003; Rahmatullah et al., 2010; Mohanty and Barik, 2022; Envis Resource Partners on Biodiversity Portal, 2020 Stem bark Treats minor infections 59 and Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 11 U. kirkii Msofu East Africa (Tanzania) Near Threatened Leaf Treats mental illness Chhabra et al., 1984; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy 12 U. leptocladon Zebko Africa NPD Roots Treats headache, chest pain, cold, dysentery, malaria, boils and tuberculosis Treats epilepsy and venereal diseases Hedberg, 1982; Teklehaymano and Giday, 2010 Stem bark Leaf Kamuhabwa et al., 2000; Moshi et al., 2005 Treats food poisoning and vomiting Treats mental illness and stomach pain Treats diabetes, inflammation, fever, vata and pitta Kidane et al., 2014 Treats fever and stomach disorders Treats tumours Nkunya et al., Encyclopedia of Life Nguyen et al., 2015 Treats ulcers of intestine Lojanapiwatna et al., 1981; Rosandy et al., 2013; Envis Resource Partners on Biodiversity Portal, 2020 13 U. lucida NPD East Africa NPD Roots 14 U. narum Kariballi, Nilavalli, Kali apakara, Kooril, Pulliccan NPD Leaf 15 U. pandensis NPD India (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu), Sri Lanka Tanzania Endangered NPD 16 U. rufa Larak, Pisangpisang, Nom kwai India (Andaman, Nicobar) Not threatened Leaf stem Fruits Bapo, Nianiavabua NPD NPD NPD Palanga, Palukan, Kalu Veppal, KaruVeppal Africa NPD Leaf Treatment of insanity Lawal et al., 2014 Tanzania Tanzania Africa India (Kerala), SriLanka NPD NPD NPD NPD Stem bark Root Leaf NPD Treatment of fever Treatment of fever Treats Catarrh and colic NPD Nkunya et al., 2004 Choi et al., 2015 Lawal et al., 2014 Plants of the world online Portal 17 U. scabrida 18 19 20 21 U. schefflera U. tanzaniae U. thomasii U. zeylanica NPD: No Published Data 60 and Hedberg, 1982 Patil et al., 2017; Alsawalha et al., 2019 1987; Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 reported in leaves of U. chamae, U.valderramensis (Cabuang, 2012), U. narum and U. chamae’s root and stem as well (Ogbuanu, 2020). From this, it has been concluded that U. narum has potential antidiabetic properties (Alsawalha et al., 2019). A preliminary screening of U. hamiltonii’s Ethyl Acetate leaf extract displayed promising α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Isolated compounds like Grandifloracin and Kaempferol (Fig.1) showed potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with the IC50 values ranging from 2.6–7.1 µM (Meesakul et al., 2020). Pharmacological Activities Plants of Uvaria genus have immense potential to cure a number of health issues. A series of pharmacological studies have been carried out to verify and validate their traditional medicinal applications. They are found to exhibit anticancerous, antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, hypolipidemic and antivenom activities as presented in Table 2 and described below. Antimicrobial Activity The dichloromethane extract of U. caffra exhibits activity against Staphylococcus aureus at MIC value of 0.03 µg/mL with its root extract and at MIC value of 0.05 µg/mL with its leaf extract as compared to Neomycin at MIC value of 6.125×10-3 µg/mL (Mulaudzi et al., 2012). The chloroform extract of U. afzelli root bark is investigated for antiMycobacterium tuberculosis activity using the MABA assay method. Anti-Mtb activity is determined against Mtb H37RvATCC 27294 at concentrations of 100- 0.390µg/mL. The result demonstrated presence of tannins, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides which are known to have strong antimicrobial activity (Lawal et al., 2011). The aqueous and ethanol root extract of U. chamae is fractionated in order to isolate the active ingredients. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests are performed against several multidrugresistant bacteria using the Mueller Hilton well agar difusion method. The ethanol extract is found to exhibit strong antibacterial activity particularly against gram-positive multidrug-resistant species. The ion mobility mass spectrometry analysis revealed for the first time the presence of ten chalcone and dihydrochalcone structures responsible for the antimicrobial activity of U. chamae (Koudokpon et al., 2018). Petroleum ether, dichloromethane, and ethanolic extracts of the stem bark and leaves of U. scheffleri exhibited antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger (wild strain), Aspergillus fumigatus (wild strain), and a Penicillium species (wild strain). The ethanolic stem bark extract was also found as active against Candida albicans (Strain H6392). The dichloromethane extract of the leaves showed the highest antifungal activity and in addition it showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus (NCTC 6571). Fractionation of the dichloromethane extract of the leaves yielded Stigmasterol and β-sitosterol (Moshi et al., 2004). The chemical compounds namely piperolactum C, goniopedaline, 6b-hydroxystigmasta4,22-dien-3-one and a mixture of cis-and trans-4hydroxymelleins obtained from U. hamiltonii stem bark. Among the purified compounds, only piperolactum C was tested for cytotoxicity since it exhibited maximum in vitro antibacterial activity. The standard antibiotic kanamycin has been used by to assess antibacterial activity of U. hamiltonii (Asha et al., 2003). Fractionation of the stem extract of U. afzelii was guided by an antimicrobial assay and resulted in concentration of the activity in the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of an ethyl acetate-water partition. Chromatography of the active ethyl acetate fraction over silicic acid yielded a number of fractions, and two novel constituents namely vafzelin and uvafzelin are derived (Fig. 1). Anticancer Activity The anti-cancer effect of chemical constituents found in roots of U. acuminata is observed. The benzylated dihydrochalcones especially Isochamuvaretin, acumitin, uvaretin and diuvaretin (Fig.1) showed considerable cytotoxicity toward human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells (Ichimaru et al., 2004). The polyoxygenated cyclohexenes, named uvacanols have been isolated from U. calamistra and it’s in vitro antitumour activity is also explained (Yong-Hong et al., 1997; Zhou et al., 2010). As discussed by Seangphakdee et al. (2013), the phytochemical investigation of U. grandiflora showed the presence of several groups of natural chemicals, including polyoxygenated cyclohexenes and aromatic derivatives. (−)- Zeylenol derived from its ethanolic stem extract might be useful to treat cancer cells such as human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB231) or to reduce the toxic side effects of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs in combined treatment. In an article of Popoola et al. (2021), it has been mentioned that the Nrf-2-inducing, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have been demonstrated in hydroethanolic root extract of U. chamae. Since these activities are closely linked to the chemoprevention and chemotherapy of cancers, the work has expanded understanding regarding the roles of these plant extracts in traditional remedies to cure cancers. Anticonvulsant Activity The preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaf extract of U. afzelii revealed the presence of secondary metabolites namely alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponin, phenol and cardiac glycosides. Singly or in combination they exhibit anticonvulsant activity in the ethanolic leaf extract as the seizure latency significantly increased and its duration reduced in Picrotoxin convulsion test (Murtala et al., 2020). Antidiabetic Activity The rats treated with 100, 250, and 400 mg/kg of the root extract of U. chamae showed a significant glucose reduction of 79.11%, 78.56%, and 88.11% respectively which indicates presence of competent antidiabetic property in ethanolic leaf extract of U. chamae (Emordi et al., 2018). Similarly, the methanolic leaf extract of U. narum effectively inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. These inhibitory effects were estimated with acarbose as the standard drug. 61 Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 Table 2. Pharmacological Activities reported from Uvaria species Sl. No. Pharmacological Activity Species Plant parts used Solvent used for extraction Specific compounds involved Animal Model or Cell lines References 01 Anticancerous U. chamae Root Hydroethanol Chamanetin, Dichamanetin, Uvaretin, Diuvaretin, Bullatencin, Neoannonin, Uvaricin, Squamocin Popoola et al., 2021 U. grandiflora Stem Ethanol (-)- Zeylenol U. accuminata Root Petroleum ether HeLa (Human cervical adenocarcinoma cell line), AREc32 (a variant of the Human mammary tumour cell line MCF-7), A549 (alveolar basal epithelium adenocarcinoma cell line) and PC3 (prostate cancer cells) Human breast cancer MDA-MB231 and Hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 Human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells Albino mice cells of both sexes Murtala et al., 2020 Mulaudzi et al., 2012; Christopher, 2021 Legba et al., 2020 02 Anticonvulsant U. afzelli Leaf Ethanol Isochamuvaretin, Acumitin,Uvaretin, Diuvaretin NPD 03 Antibacterial U. caffra Root and Leaf Dichloromethane NPD Staphylococcus aureus U. chamae Leaf Aqueous NPD Root Ethanol Diuvaretin, Dichamanetin, Uvaretin, Iso-chamanetin, Isouvaretin, and Uvangoletin, Diuvaretin chalcone, Uvaretin chalcone, IsoUvaretin chalcone Chick Cells infected with Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 Bacteria strain: the gram-positive bacteria including S. aureus (ATCC 259233), S. aureus Meti R, S. aureus Mupi R, Enterococcus faecalis van A, and Enterococcus faecium van A, E. faecium van B U. afzelli Root bark Chloroform NPD U. schefflera Leaf Dichloromethane 5,7,8-trimethoxyflavanone, 2¢,6¢-dihydroxy-4¢methoxychalcone, 5,7-dihydroxyflavone U. afzelli Stem Ethyl acetate Uvafzelin 62 Seangphakdee et al., 2013 Ichimaru et al., 2004 Koudokpon et al., 2018 Bacterial strain: Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294 Bacterial strain: Escherichia coli (NCTC 10418), S. aureus Lawal et al., 2011 NPD Hufford, et al., 1980 Moshi et al., 2004 Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 04 Antifungal U. hamiltonii Stem bark Petroleum ether Dichloromethane Methanol Piperolactum C U. schefflera Leaf Dichloromethane 2¢,6¢-dihydroxy-4¢methoxychalcone, 5,7-dihydroxyflavone Stem bark Ethanol Aeromonus hydrophilia, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis, E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella paratyphi, Sarcina lutea, Shigella boydii, Shigella dysenteriae, Shigella flexneriae, Shigella sonnei, S. aureus, Vibrio parahemolyticus Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Penicillium spp. Asha et al., 2003 Moshi et al., 2004 U.grandiflora Stem Ethanol (-)- Zeylenol 06 Anti-inf Lammatory Antivenom U. chamae Leaf Methanol NPD Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus Human breast cancer MDA-MB231 cell Wistar Albino Rat cells 07 Antidiabetic U. chamae Root Ethanol NPD Alloxan-induced diabetic Rat cells Emordi et al., 2018 U. narum Leaf Methanol NPD 3T3-L1 mouse cell line Alsawalha et al., 2019 U. hamiltonii Leaf Ethyl acetate Grandifloracin, Kaempferol, Pinocembrin NPD Meesakul et al., 2020 U. chamae Root Hydroethanol NPD Streptozotocin induced diabetic Albino Rat cells Emordi et al., 2016 05 08 Hypolipidemic NPD: No Published Data 63 Seangphakdee et al., 2013 James et al., 2013 Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 Both are tested for antimicrobial activity but only uvafzelin was active (Hufford, et al., 1980). salmonellosis were observed in infected groups. After 7 days of treatment, the reduction of bacterial load at 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L, 400 mg/L of the extract was respectively 85%, 52.38% and 98% for U. chamae root and leaf extract in the chick’s groups infected with Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028. The aqueous leaf extract showed the best anti-Salmonella’s activity in the in vivo experiment (Legba et al., 2020). The induction of salmonellosis revealed 9 × 108 CFU/ml was the optimal concentration triggering and maintaining symptoms in chicks. This infective concentration was used for in vivo assessment. 24 hours post inoculation the symptoms of (a) (b) (g) (c) (h) (l) (d) (i) (e) (j) (m) (o) (f) (k) (n) (q) (p) Fig. 1 Structures of compounds isolated from Uvaria species (a) Isouvaretin (b) Diuvaretin (c) Chamanetin (d) Dichamanetin (e) Isochamuvaretin (f) Kaempferol (g) Zeylenone (h) Pinocembrin (i) Uvafzelin (j) Zeylenol (k) Bullatencin (l) Chamuvaritin (m) Acumitin (n) Squamocin (o) Neoannonin (p) Uvaricin (q) Grandifloracin (Ichimaru et al., 2004; Zhou et al., 2010; Jalil et al., 2020; Pubchem. Portal, 2020) Anti-inflammatory Activity Antivenom Activity The compound like (−)- Zeylenol (Fig.1) is isolated from ethanolic stem extract of U.grandiflora. It elicited a significant inhibitory effect on the oedema formation at all assesement times, at the dose of 1 mg/ear similar to that of phenylbutazone which indicated presence of antiinflammatory propertry in it (Seangphakdee et al., 2013). James et al. 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African Hypolipidemic Activity Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced after the rats were fasted overnight by administering intraperitoneally, 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. The plasma cholesterol and LDL levels of those diabetic rats treated with the U. chamae hydroethanolic root extracts were significantly reduced as compared with the control. However, there was an increase in the HDL levels but the increase was insignificant (Emordi et al., 2016). Conclusion It is quite evident from the review that Uvaria is medicinally an important genus. Large no. of species of this genus possesses numerous medicinal properties like anticancerous, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antivenom etc. According to various pharmacological significance of Uvaria species, the traditional applications are well suited to the recent phytochemical investigations. The leaves are mostly studied and so far, found as the best source of secondary metabolites. Among discovery of various chemical compounds of Uvaria species, maximum characterization of compounds has been observed in U. chamae and it is also responsible for the highest numbers of pharmacological activities, as reported in this paper. Majority of its species are still unexplored for chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Therefore, meticulous and outfitted surveys are needed to preserve the pharmaceutical and ethno-medicinal knowledge. In addition to it, new researches may lead to production of effective herbal medicine to provide quality health. Intensive investigation and discussions regarding Uvaria is a task ahead for plant science researchers. This review article may be helpful to students, researchers and teachers in enriching knowledge about diverse aspects of Uvaria. Acknowledgement The authors are grateful to the Head, Department of Botany, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha, India for providing necessary guidance and encouragement in compiling the work. Conflict of Interest The author hereby declares no conflict of interest. Consent for publication The author declares that the work has consent for publication. Funding support The author declares that they have no funding support for this study. References Adebayo, J. O. and Krettli, A. U. (2011). Potential antimalarials from Nigerian plants: a review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 133(2), 289302. 65 Drug and Pharmaceutical Science Archives (2023) Vol. 3 (3), 56-67 Nkunya, M. H., Jonker, S. A., de Gelder, R., Wachira, S. W. and Kihampa, C. (2004). (±)-Schefflone: a trimericmonoterpenoid from the root bark of Uvaria scheffleri. Phytochemistry, 65(4), 399-404. Nkunya, M. H., Weenen, H., Renner, C., Waibel, R. and Achenbach, H. (1993). Benzylateddihydrochalcones from Uvaria leptocladon. 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