Article review: cordia myxa l. : the gift of the nature, a review

Abstract EN

Cordia myxa L.

is one of the medical plants that plays an important role in thetreatment of many diseases.

There are many studies explained that C.

myxa can show antiinflammatory, anti-diabetic, antiparasitic, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties.

This review was focused on the active compounds and medical effects of C.

myxa.

Thefatty acids contents are particularly high (9.9% ).

Sodium and potassium constitute thelargest mineral proportion (13 ppm and 29 ppm respectively) of the fruit.

However, thetoxic heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, chromium and copper have not been found inthe fruit.

This gives an additional significant benefit of the medical uses of the plant.

Thecontent of alkaloids, saponin, polyphenols, and comarine were recorded and was relativelyhigh compared to steroids, resins, glycosides, tannins, and gum that found to be in lessamounts.

When the mucilage was extracted, the alkaloids constitute more than 35% .

Byusing the Folin‐Ciocalteu, C.

myxa extracts have a high Phenolic content.

The antibacterialactivity against gram-negative bacteria were included in the fruit mucilage extract while thealcoholic extracts have no effect on all bacterial isolates.

In addition, the mucilage extractshowed anti-parasitic activity when it was tested against Leishmania infantumpromastigotes.

However, the highest concentration of extract significantly reduced theamounts of lymphocytes.

Moreover, ethanolic extracts of C.

myxa fruits give rise toleucocyte and lymphocyte count.

Future research needs to be done on this kind of herbswhich could show high medicinal activity.