A Review of the Botanical, Ethnomedicinal Uses, and Phytochemistry of Dalbergia (Fabaceae) Species

Abstract

Secondary metabolites found in plants are recognized to have medicinal qualities and are utilized in both mainstream and traditional medicine. More than 80% of people on the planet use medicinal plants to treat a variety of illnesses, including fever, malaria, stomachaches, and ulcers. One significant family of flowering plants with therapeutic qualities is the Fabaceae, sometimes referred to as the Leguminoceae. The fabaceae subfamily Faboideae of the pea family includes the large genus Dalbergia, which has over 300 species. It is a tiny to medium-sized trees, bushes, and lianas are found in tropical parts of Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar, and Southern Asia.  Many species of Dalbergia are commonly utilized in diverse communities around the world to treat a variety of diseases. Phytoconstituents commonly found in Dalbergia species, includes isoflavonoids, neoflavonoids, glycosides, cinnamylphenols, quinones, and furans. However, only a limited number of Dalbergia species have been subjected to pharmacological research to validate their traditional uses. Additionally, only a few compounds have been identified based on their phytochemical constituents. Despite the existence of over 300 Dalbergia species worldwide, only a small fraction has been studied in detail. Therefore there is need for more scientific research on Leguminoceae species especially Dalbergia due to tremendous medicinal phytochemicals present in the specie, and can be used to cure multiple diseases affecting global population.