Phytoconstituents, Medicinal Uses and Conservation of Upastree (Antiaris toxicaria Lesch)
摘要
The Upastree (Antiaris toxicaria Lesch.) is a “Poisonous Plant” belongs to the family Moraceae (Fig family) and is distributed throughout the world, predominantly in the tropical areas of Africa, Asia, and Australia. The genus Antiaris consists of only single known species, A. toxicaria. The milky latex of the upastree contains one of the world’s most deadly phytoconstituent known as a cardiac glycosideAntiarin “Antiarin”. Due to poisonous or toxic nature of latex, upastree is commonly known as the poison arrow tree. Also, the stem of the upastree is used for making plywood and veneer. The upastreeUpastree latex contains a variety of pharmacologically important phytoconstituentsPhytoconstituents of medicinal applications such as antimicrobialAntimicrobial, anti-arrhythmic, anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, anticonvulsant, antidepressant-like activity, treating mental illness, and epilepsy. The present chapter summarizes the potential economic and health benefitsHealth benefits, AgroforestryAgroforestry uses, cultivationCultivation practices, germplasmGermplasm diversity, and conservationConservation of upastree. The efforts should be taken for germplasm collection, evaluation, cultivation, and conservation, by application of tissue cultureTissue culture, cryopreservationCryopreservation, and breedingBreeding techniques. Moreover, the upastreeUpastree will be promoted as potential plantation species and further encouraged for sustainable utilization as a source of commercial timber.