Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Polyalthia longifolia Belonging to Family Annonaceae

Abstract

The Custard-Apple family (Annonaceae) which is the largest family in Magnoliales contains 108 genera and about 2400 known species, among which the genus Polyalthia includes 120 species of flowering plants. The most commonly used species in indigenous medicines is the P. longifolia. This False Ashoka tree, is an evergreen and native to India. Traditionally is used in uterine disorders treatment, that’s why it is called Ashoka, which is a name in Ayurveda of drug used in Urinary tract diseases. The word Polyalthia, is derived from Greek words meaning ‘many cures’, and longifolia, in Latin, refers to the length of its leaves. Our literature traced the chemical constituents and biological activities of this plant but no reports were available on its Egyptian chemotype. The main objectives of this study: • Determination of phytochemical composition of P. longifolia 70% methanol leaves extract. • Investigation of the biological activity of P. longifolia 70% methanol leaves extract and some selected isolated compounds. • Isolation of its volatile oils from different organs and investigation to their biological activities.