Apocynaceae Plants - Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry, Bioactivity and Biotechnological Advances

This book provides a concise overview of the Apocynaceae plant family, focusing on its morphology, diversity, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities. It explores biotechnological advances in large-scale production of therapeutic bioactive compounds and conservation efforts using plant tissue culture.  

The family Apocynaceae is one of the largest and important families in angiosperm, with several members having medicinal properties used to treat various ailments. Most of them are consumed as food by tribal people, while a few plants are used as a source of poison, insecticides, gum, and many other important products. Members of this family are rich in alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, simple phenols, lactones and hydrocarbons. Other compounds such as sterols, lignans, and sugars have also been systematically studied. Extracts and isolated compounds from Apocynaceae members exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic activities. Notable plants like Holarrhena antidysenterica, Rauvolfia serpentina, Carissa carandas, and Tabernaemontana divaricata have been extensively researched. The family presents a diverse range of bioactive compounds with medicinal and pharmacological properties, holding promise for future applications.  

The book also covers endophytic microorganisms with their diversity, biological activities in Apocynaceae plants. It also highlights the role of endophytes in conservation of Apocynaceae plants. By identifying existing knowledge gaps, it aims to inspire further research in the field, making it a valuable resource for students and researchers in Life Sciences, agriculture, medicine, and pharmaceutical sciences.


Ravindra H. Patil is working as Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology at R. C. Patel Arts, Commerce and Science College, Shirpur, MS, India. His areas of research are in microbial and plant secondary metabolites and endophyte derived natural products.   He has over seventeen years of teaching experience in microbiology and biotechnology for graduate students. He has published over fifty research and review articles in national and international peer reviewed journals and authored three text books for undergraduate students.  Dr. Patil has also received Young Scientist award from Govt. of India, Dept. of Science & Technology in the form of research grant. He has successfully handled several research projects funded by various federal funding agencies.  
 
Dr. Mohini P. Patil is working as Asst. Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology at R. C. Patel Arts, Commerce and Science College, Shirpur, MS, India. She has completed her doctoral research on endophytic microorganisms and their bioactive metabolites. Dr. Patil was also awarded with Post-doctoral fellowship from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR, New Delhi) Government of India, for her work on novel enzyme inhibitors of biomedical importance. Her areas of research are endophytic fungi and plant secondary metabolites of biological and pharmacological significance.  She has guided over twenty students for their post graduate dissertations. She has published over fifteen research and review articles in national and international peer reviewed journals. She has co-authored one text books for undergraduate students.   
 
Vijay L. Maheshwari is serving as vice-chancellor at Kavayitri Bahinabai Chaudhari North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon. MS, India. He has teaching experience of over 30 years. His areas of research/expertise include protein biochemistry and secondary metabolites & their biological activities. Prof. Maheshwari has received 'Young Scientist' award by IUBMB, India in 1994. He is also a recipient of the BOYSCAST fellowship of Govt. of India, Dept. of Science & Technology for post-doctoral research at the University of Virginia, USA. He was Norman E. Borlaug fellow of US Department of Agriculture, USA and undertook advanced training in Risk Assessment in Genetically Modified Food. He has published around one hundred research papers and review articles in the journals of national and international repute.