The Tribe Caesalpinieae (Fabaceae): An Updated Review on Pharmacological Aspects

Abstract

Caesalpinieae tribe is one of the largest archaic tribes of subfamily Caesalpinioideae, family Fabaceae. Caesalpinieae tribe includes 9 subtribes that have more than 47 genera, including several valuable medicinal plants. Extracts of different plants of Caesalpinieae tribe were reported to possess a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, anti-diabetic, antifungal, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, analgesic, anti-arthritic, anti-filarial, antimalarial, anthelmintic, amoebicidal, diuretic, anti-psoriatic, anti-estrogenic, anti-fertility, wound-healing, anxiolytic, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-HIV activities. Thus, Caesalpinieae tribe includes several plants with a potential for exploitation as a source for plant-based pharmaceutical products. The present review could form a sound basis for further investigation in the potential discovery of new natural bioactive compounds and provide preliminary information for future research.