Asian J. Adv. Basic Sci.: 2017, 5(2), 34-53 ISSN (Print): 2454 – 7492 ISSN (Online): 2347 – 4114 www.ajabs.org Brief Review on the Genus Diospyros: A Rich Source of Naphthoquinones Venu Sharma School of Biotechnology, University of Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir, INDIA * Correspondance: E-mail:
[email protected] (Received 01 Sept, 2017; Accepted 14 Sept, 2017; Published 21 Sept, 2017) ABSTRACT: Diospyros genus (Ebenaceae) comprises about 500 species. A number of them are used for their multiple pharmacological activities. Ethano-phramacologically various plant parts are formulated and prescribed in the form of extracts and the decoctions for remedy of different diseases in many tribes. These activities are due to presence of bioactive secondary metabolites in the plant. Systematic and detailed investigation on the composition and pharmacological significance of medicinal plants should be conducted to standardize the formulations, based on ingredients. In the present review, naphthoquinone, naphthalene and naphthol derivatives isolated from Diospyros species are documented here with the pharmacologically important species of the genus. Keywords: Diospyros genus; species; Ebenaceae; pharmacological activities; naphthoquinones. INTRODUCTION: Diospyros genus belongs to the retic, laxative and stypic. Its dried flowers are reported to family Ebenaceae. The plants of Ebenaceae are wide be used in urinary, skin and blood diseases. A dilute ex- spread in tropics and sub tropics, occasionally into tem- tract is used as an astringent lotion for eyes5. Heartwood perate areas. According to Hegnaeur1 the family consists of D.mollis has been found to be active against hook- of seven genera, namely Diospyros, Euclea, Maba, worms but less active against tapeworms14. Oncothea, Rhaphidanthe, Royena and Tetraclis.