A review on phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological studies of genus Pittosporum (Pittosporaceae), in India

Pittosporum is a genus of family Pittosporaceae, which includes approximately 200 species having world wide distribution and the richest concentration is in Australia and China. In India only 11 species were reported till date. Among these, 7 species have been explored for its phytochemical compounds. In this review phytochemical, pharmacological and ethnomedicinal properties of the genus Pittosporum, in India has been evaluated and documented with maximum available data from journals, thesis, and various books. So far 26 principle compounds were isolated from the four species of the genus Pittosporum. Most of them belongs to the class of essential oils followed by glycosides and diterpenes. A highly promising compound Isosteviol isolated from the P. tetraspermum has anti-microbial as well as anti-biofilm activity. Methanolic extract of different species of Pittosporum bark showed promising antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity. The different species have been used traditionally for ethnomedicinal purpose especially for eczema, arthritis, diabetic, diuretic, chest pain and antidote of snake bite etc. Hence, in this review an attempt was made to analyse and review the information generated through pharmacological studies of phytoconstituents from the genus Pittosporum distributed in different parts of India.