Distribution of flavonoids among Malvaceae family members – A review

Abstract

Since ancient times, Malvaceae family plant members are distributed worldwide and have been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of skin diseases, as an antifertility agent, antiseptic, and carminative. Some compounds isolated from Malvaceae members such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides are considered responsible for these activities. Although the flavonoid profiles of several Malvaceae family members are investigated, the information is scattered. To understand the chemical variability and chemotaxonomic relationship among Malvaceae family members summation of their phytochemical nature is essential. Hence, this review aims to summarize the distribution of flavonoids in species of genera namely Abelmoschus, Abroma, Abutilon, Bombax, Duboscia, Gossypium, Hibiscus, Helicteres, Herissantia, Kitaibelia, Lavatera, Malva, Pavonia, Sida, Theobroma, and Thespesia, Urena, In general, flavonols are represented by glycosides of quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, herbacetin, gossypetin, and hibiscetin. However, flavonols and flavones with additional OH groups at the C-8 A ring and/or the C-5′ B ring positions are characteristic of this family, demonstrating chemotaxonomic significance