2019, Vol. 7, Issue 6, Part A

author(s)
Md. Abdul Mannan, Md. Faidur Rahman and Md. Farhad Hossen Khan

abstract
The approximately 30 species of the genus Brownlowia Roxb. are distributed worldwide. Brownlowia tersa is comprised of the family Tiliaceae. Locally, it is called by “Sundari lata” in Bangladesh. It is known from mangrove communities and is classified as true mangrove species. It is found along the eastern coast of India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, and Brunei. Based on the traditional knowledge, different phytochemical and pharmacological activities have been at the focus of research. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of local and traditional medical uses, phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, toxicity, and safety of Brownlowia tersa, in order to identify the therapeutic potential of Brownlowia tersa. Different chemical tests showed the presence of reducing sugars, saponins, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, carbohydrates, and alkaloids. Traditionally, it is commonly used in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, wounds and boils.It serves as an antiinflammatory, antinociceptive and antioxidant activities. Pharmacological research on this plant is quite elementary and limited, thus, more advanced research is necessary to isolate and determine the activities of bioactive compounds in vitro and in vivo, establish their mechanisms of action, safety, efficacy and commence the process of clinical research.