An Overview on Botanical Characteristics, Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of CordiaDichotoma (G. Forst.) and Cordia Sebestena (L.) (Boraginaceae)

Genus Cordia has been well acknowledged in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide as traditional medicine, where its folk applications include uses in numerous disorders. The current review considers the geographical distribution, macromorphological characters, nutritional properties, phytochemical profile and biological prospective survey of Cordia dichotoma (G. Forst.) and Cordia sebestena (L.), aiming to highlight the pharmacological significance of the two species. Considering their nutritional value, fruits and leaves of C. dichotoma are rich in nutritional constituents, while limited data described the nutritional importance of C. sebestena. A chemical analysis of both species revealed many metabolites as coumarins, phenolic acids, flavonoids, sterols, terpenoids, volatile oils, carbohydrates, amino acids, fatty acids and others. The bioactivity studies of both species have been focused to possess potential antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antiulcer activities. Meanwhile, antidepressant, antifertility, antiaging, anti-atherosclerotic, anti-anemic and diuretic activities were limited to C. dichotoma. On the other hand, anti-Alzheimer and larvicidal activities were limited to C. sebestena. There are fewer reported studies on C. sebestena, in spite of its important folk uses. Thus, this overview draws attention to further biological study onC. sebestena to discover its medicinal activities.