Phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of genus Abutilon: a review (1972-2015)

Abstract

Abutilon Miller is a genus belonging to family Malvaceae comprises about 150 species. The plants of this genus are annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or even small trees. It is native to the tropical and subtropical countries of America, Africa, Asia and Australia. The genus has a significant importance, which is attributed to valuable insoluble fibers obtained from different species of the genus such as Abutilon theophrasti and also due to several species grown as garden ornamental plants such as A. ochsenii and A. vitifolium. Reviewing the available literature on genus Abutilon revealed the presence of a diversity of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, sterols, triterpenes, quinones, coumarins, alkaloids, sphingolipids, megastigmanes, iridoids and others, which are responsible for its biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, wound healing activities. This review showed that some species of genus Abutilon including A. pannosum, A. mauritianum, A. crispum, A. grandiflorum, A. bidentatum, A. figarianum, A. ochsenii and A. vitifolium need further phytochemical and pharmacological investigation to develop new drugs from natural sources.