e-ISSN 2231-8542
ISSN 1511-3701
Mohamed Shafiq, S., Ling, A. P. K., Lim, C. L., Chye, S. M. and Koh, R. Y.
Pertanika Journal of Tropical Agricultural Science, Volume 41, Issue 2, May 2018
Keywords: Adenium obesum, natural product, pharmacological activity, phytochemicals
Published on: 31 May 2018
Adenium obesum is a common plant found in many households in Malaysia. Its phytochemical constituents are believed to have contributed to its vast medicinal properties. Five types of compounds were isolated and identified from the plant, namely cardiac glycosides, pregnanes, triterpenes, flavonoids and carbohydrates. These compounds confer the plant its reported pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, immunomodulation and antiparasitic effects. The plant's antibacterial effects against some bacterial strains such as Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were investigated while its antiviral activity was tested against H1N1. Its anticancer activity was found to be mediated through the hedgehog/GLI signalling pathway. For the immunomodulatory effect, A. obesum was found to promote proliferation of B and T cells. This review outlines in detail the pharmacological activities of A. obesum while further correlating these activities with the phytochemical constituents present.
ISSN 1511-3701
e-ISSN 2231-8542