Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Certain Plants Belonging to Genus Pachira Family Malvaceae

Abstract

Family Malvaceae is one of the largest Plant families with almost 244 genus and 4,225 species. The family has become a part of human civilization due to its importance as producer of cotton, fiber yielding and many ornamental plants. Moreover, several Malvaceae species possess crucial medicinal value. Subfamily Bombacoideae (previously recognized as family Bombacaceae) comprises around 30 genera of tropical trees. The largest genera includes Bombax ,Ceiba, and Adansonia . Genus Pachira, the largest genus in subfamily Bombacoideae, comprises more than 70 species of tropical evergreen trees, two of which are cultivated in Egypt namely Pachira aquatica, and Pachira glabra. Pachira species are popular as evergreen ornamental trees predominantly distributed in Central and South America, Africa and India. They are famous for their edible seeds that are consumed either raw or roasted in addition to the young leaves and flowers of some species that are consumed as vegetables. Studies addressing the chemical composition and biological activities of the two Pachira species were found to be very scarce especially for P. glabra. Moreover, there is a lot to be explored about their botanical characteristics as well as their essential oils and their biological importance. So, the aim of this study was directed to the following points: 1. Complete literature reviewing was presented concerning the phytochemistry and biology of subfamily Bombacoideae and genus Pachira.