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Journal of Plant Science and Research

Review Article

Morphological and Phytopharmacological Evaluation of Indian Artabotrys Species: A Review

Aswathi Krishna KU and Pradeesh S*

Department of Botany and Research Centre, Mahathma Gandhi College, Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
*Corresponding author:Dr. Pradeesh S, Department of Botany and Research Centre, Mahathma Gandhi College, Kesavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. E-Mail Id: pradeeshnair10@gmail.com
Copyright: © Aswathi Krishna KU, et al. 2026. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Article Information:Submission: 15/06/2026; Accepted: 10/07/2026; Published: 13/07/2026

Abstract

Artabotrys R.Br. (Arta- = to suspend; -botrys = a bunch of grapes) is one of the largest genera in the family Annonaceae (the custard-apple family). The palaeotropical genus Artabotrys comprises approximately 110 species of woody climbers characterized by persistent inflorescence hooks and is distributed mainly throughout tropical and subtropical regions, particularly tropical Africa and Southeast Asia. In India, the genus is represented by 10 species: A. burmanicus, A. caudatus, A. hexapetalus, A. manoranjanii, A. nicobarensis, A. sahyadricus, A. sericeus, A. speciosus, A. suaveolens and A. zeylanicus. Species of Artabotrys are rich in diverse phytochemicals, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins and glycosides, which contribute to their broad spectrum of biological activities. Traditionally, Artabotrys species have been used in the treatment of cancer, skin diseases, diabetes, headaches and several other ailments. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated such as antimicrobial, anthelmintic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antileishmanial, mosquito repellent and antifertility activities. In addition, certain species exhibit uterine stimulant, muscle relaxant and cardiac stimulant properties. The present review provides a comprehensive account of the morphology, phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacological properties of the genus Artabotrys, with particular emphasis on the Indian species. The novelty of this review lies in integrating the currently available information on Indian Artabotrys species into a single comprehensive resource, encompassing taxonomy, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacology and their potential for drug discovery. In conclusion, Artabotrys species and their bioactive metabolites possess considerable medicinal and socio-economic significance. Further phytochemical, pharmacological, toxicological and clinical investigations are required to validate their therapeutic efficacy, facilitate the discovery of novel drug candidates and promote the sustainable utilization and conservation of these valuable plant resources.
Keywords:Artabotrys; Morphology; Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Analysis