Abstract

A REVIEW ON FAMILY MORACEAE(MULBERRY) WITH A FOCUS ON ARTOCARPUS SPECIES

M Somashekhar¹, Naira Nayeem¹*, Basavraj Sonnad²

ABSTRACT

Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit), Artocarpus altilis (Bread fruit), Artocarpus camans (Bread nut) and Artocarpus integer (cempedak) belong to genus Artocarpus and family Moraceae which is also referred to as mulberry family or fig family which are an integral parts of common Indian diet and are freely available in Indian and adjoining continents. Its medicinal importance has also been mentioned in Ayurveda. The plants are reported to possess antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. The above metioned plants are an important source of compounds like artocarpin-A, artocarpin-B, morin, dihydromorin, cynomacurin, artocarpin, isoartocarpin, cyloartocarpin, artocarpesin, oxydihydroartocarpesin, artocarpetin, norartocarpetin, cycloartinone, ursolic acid, β-sitosterol, betulinic acid, artocarpanone and heterophylol which are useful in fever, boils, wounds, skin diseases, convulsions, diuretic, constipation, ophthalmic disorders and snake bite etc.In the present review an attempt has been made to compare and contrast the different species belonging to the family moraceae.

Keywords: Artocarpus species, Moraceae, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activities.