The genus Bridelia: a phytochemical and ethnopharmacological review

Approximately 60 species of Bridelia, (Phyllanthaceae) are found throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the world, mainly in Africa and Asia. Several Bridelia species are used in popular medicines as antiamebic, antianemic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, anti-diabetic, antidiarrhoeal, antihelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antinociceptive, antiviral, hypoglycemic and for abdominal pain, cardiovascular, gynecological and sexual diseases. The present paper reviews the traditional usage, the biological activities and the correlated chemical compounds of Bridelia species with emphasis on the validation of the ethnopharmacological uses. The findings in some Bridelia species of, for example, gallocatechin-(4'-O-7)-epigallocatechin (1), quercetin (2), myricetin glycosides (5-6), bridelone (11), bridelonine (12), isoflavone may justify the uses of these species against pains in African and Asian traditional medicines.