The genus (Anacardiaceae): a review on phytochemicals and biological aspects.

The genus belongs to family 'Anacardiaceae' and includes about 29 species originating from South America, distributed to Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay and cultivated in Egypt. Traditionally, plants are used to alleviate several and diverse diseases including rheumatism, hypertension, ulcers, gastric distress, menstrual disorders, gonorrhea, bronchitis, gingivitis, conjunctivitis, dysentery, wounds, urinary tract, and eye infections. Several phytochemical studies on the plants revealed presence of diverse bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, bioflavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, catechins, terpenoids and essential oils. Besides, some species and their isolated active compounds showed important biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antiparasitic, analgesic, cytotoxic, antitumor, antioxidant, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial, anti-Parkinson, anti-allergic, antiviral, wound healing, chemoprotective, anthelmintic and hepatoprotective. This review attempts to summarize the phytochemical profile and biological activities of species that could guide researchers to undertake further investigation.