The Genus Tetradenia (Lamiaceae): A Review of Its Ethnomedicinal, Botanical, Chemical and Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Genus Tetradenia is belonging to plant family Lamiaceae. The genus is fairly large and comprises of twenty species. Different extracts of these Tetradenia species have been widely used in traditional medicine all through sub-Sahara Africa, part of Brazil and Asia.  Many workers have reported that Tetradenia extracts possess various biological activities against antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial. For decades, some members of the Genus Tetradenia have been the subject of research to isolate and identify the active compounds present in extracts from its leaves. Several studies have been conducted to evaluate the biological activities of T. riparia as larvicide, insecticide, antimalarial and repellent effects on Anopheles gambiae. Leaf extracts (80% ethanol), tested for antimicrobial and antiviral activity, and was found to hamper the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Bacillus subtilis. This review intends to give the major highlights of the genus Tetradenia which will stimulate researchers into carrying out further investigations on the various species of the plant that may contribute into pharmacology industry.