Trewia nudiflora: A potential source of new drugs

Abstract

Medicinal plants have long history of being using as traditional medicines in almost every corner of the earth. Various chemical constituents of the plant are responsible for the activities. The plant Trewia nudiflora, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is found abundantly in South Asia and Eastern Australia. Almost all parts of the plant such as root, stem bark, leaf, fruit and seed possess bioactive chemical constituents. The major chemical constituents are taraxerone, betasitosterol, nudiflorine, trewiasine, dehydrotrewiasine and maytanbutine. Although various parts of the plant have potential activity against cancer, tuberculosis, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer and antimicrobial activities, but many activities like diabetes, arthritis, analgesic, anticoagulant has not yet been studied. So, this plant could be a potential source for the future research.