Medical plants of the Fiji Islands [chemical and biological study]
1980
Croft, K.D. | Cannon, J.R. | Matsuki, Y.
Some of the common medicinal plants have been subjected to extensive chemical and biological study. For example, the plant Piper methysticum, locally called "yangona" or "kava" and widely cultivated and used as a ceremonial drink as well as other medicinal purposes, contains a mixture of pyrones possessing a wide range of physiological activity. Bleekeria vitiensis (Apocynaceae) which is endemic to Fiji is reputed to be useful in the control of certain cancers and has been shown to contain a mixture of alkaloids which exhibit a wide spectrum of antitumor activity. Recently we have begun to examine a number of other medicinal plants including Alyxia bracteolosa, Hernandia peltata and Micromelum minutum. A certain variety of A. bracteolosa (Apocynaceae) proved to be a rich source of alkaloids; the isolation and structural work on the major components will be outlined. The alkaloids from the bark of Hernandia peltata and coumarins from the leaves and bark of M. minutum will also be discussed
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