CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF BOUGAINVILLEA LEAVES: A REVIEW

The genus Bougainvillea is a very widespread group throughout the world. It belongs to the family Nyctaginaceae and contains approximately 18 species i.e., B. berberidifolia, B. buttiana, B. campanulata, B. glabra, B. herzogiana, B. infesta, B. lehmanniana, B. lehmannii, B. malmeana, B. modesta, B. pachyphylla, B. peruviana, B. pomacea, B. praecox, B. spectabilis, B. spinosa, B. stipitata, and B. trollii. The genus Bougainvillea is endemic to South America and was firstly reported in Brazil in 1778 before being introduced to Europe, by French military commander Louis Antoine de Bougainville. They are bushes spread in vines or small trees. They also possess stems with internodes and with straight or slightly curved thorns. The leaves are petiolate, elliptical, or wider towards the base. The bracts and flowers are presented in different colours, depending on the species, cultivars, or hybrid. It is a rich source of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, Fatty Acids and Fatty Alcohols, volatile compounds, phenolic compound, Peltogynoids and Flavonoids, Phytosterols, Terpenes, and Carbohydrates, Betalains etc. In conclusion, the leaves of Bougainvillea glabra are reported to have anti- inflammatory activities, anti-hyperglycaemic activity, insecticidal activity, anti hyperglycemic activity anti-ulcer, antimicrobial and anti-diarrheal activity and its antiviral proteins.