Apocynaceae Species: Biology, Ecology and Practical Uses
A special issue of Plants (ISSN 2223-7747).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2020) | Viewed by 12703
Special Issue Editor
Interests: plant science; plant biology; plant ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues
Apocynaceae is one of the most important plant families that comprises 410 genera and more than 5500 species that include trees, shrubs, herbs, stem succulents, and lianas, commonly named as the dogbane family. The well-known genera belonging to this family are Allamanda, Alstonia, Calotropis, Catharanthus, Cerbera, Kopsia, Melodinus, Nerium, Plumeria, Vallaris, etc. The Apocynaceae species are widespread in the regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and America, mostly in tropical and subtropical, as well as temperate regions. The main characteristic of the family is that almost all species produce white latex or, more rarely, watery juice. Apocynaceae species possess different compounds, such as alkaloids, cardenolides, triterpenoids, and iridoids, which contribute to their overall biological activity or toxicity. These classes of compounds are known to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, and neuroprotective properties. Plants of the Apocynaceae family have had a great significance since the first commercial anticancer drugs of vincristine and vinblastine were developed from the Catharanthus roseus species. Additionally, Apocynaceae species are valuable in the cosmetic, flavoring, food, pesticide, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as in horticulture. In this Special Issue, manuscripts addressing the morphology, anatomy, taxonomy, physiology, and ecology of Apocynaceae species are invited. Moreover, we encourage studies that report the methodology of cultivation and collection, as well as usage of Apocynaceae species in traditional and modern folk medicine. This Specieal Issue will also highlight papers describing the chemical diversity, isolation methods, chemical modification, as well as different in vitro and in vivo biological activities of Apocynaceae secondary metabolites.
Dr. Milan Stankovic
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Apocynaceae
- biology
- ecology
- natural products
- ethnobotany
- phytochemistry
