PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF FIVE DIFFERENT SPECIES OF JASMINUM

Abstract

The Genus Jasminum belongs to the family Oleaceae, is widely distributed medicinal plant and has been used since ancient times. The Jasminum species (Jasminum grandiflorum, Jasminum sambac, Jasminum flexile, Jasminum pubescens and Jasminum angustifolium) have been used traditionally as antimicrobial, antiulcerative, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, anticancerous, flavoring and fragrance agent and for the treatment of breast cancer, diarrhoea, fever, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, abdominal pain, asthma, abscess, uterine bleeding, toothache, headache, insomnia, dysentery and bellyache, diarrhoea and metrorrhagia. The jasmine oil is widely used in aromatherapy. The medicinal properties of Jasminum plants may be due to the presence of a broad spectrum of bioactive compounds such as Phenolics, terpenoids, coumarins, glycosides, steols, esters and fatty acids. The antimicrobial, anti-acne, spasmolytic activity and aromatherapy which is due to the combined effect of essential oils. The phytochemical investigations revealed that phenolic compounds are highly bioactive compared to the majority of terpenoids and other compounds. There are many reports which mentioned the therapeutic potentials of phenolic constituents such as the antioxidant &anti-aging, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, lipid peroxidation, ACE inhibitor activity, vasodilation effect, wound healing, and protective activity. The present paper reviews the therapeutic potentials of phenolic compounds alongside with the phytoscreening and ethnobotanical aspects of Jasminum.