title: Muntingia calabura: a review of its traditional uses, chemical properties, and pharmacological observations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different parts of Muntingia calabura L. (Elaeocarpaceae), or "kerukup siam" in Malay, have been reported to possess medicinal value, supported by a number of scientific studies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To gather all information related to the ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical compositions, and pharmacological activities of M. calabura and present them as a comprehensive and systematic review article.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature has been retrieved from a number of databases (e.g., Pubmed, Science Direct, Springer Link, etc.). General web searches were also carried out using Google and Yahoo search engines by applying some related search terms (e.g., Muntingia calabura, phytochemical, pharmacological, extract, and traditional uses). The articles related to agriculture, ecology, and synthetic work and those using languages other than English or Malay have been excluded. The bibliographies of papers relating to the review subject were also searched for further relevant references.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The literature search conducted using the above-mentioned Internet search engines only lead to the identification of 36 journals published as early as 1987. From the articles reviewed, M. calabura possessed various pharmacological activities (e.g., cytotoxic, antinociceptive, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory), which supported the folklore claims and could be attributed to its phytoconstituents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Muntingia calabura possesses remarkable medicinal value, which warrants further and in-depth studies. Therefore, this review paper is presented to help guide researchers to plan their future studies related to this plant in the hope of isolating potential leads for future drug development.
authors: Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia , Selangor , Malaysia .
authors: N D
authors: ND
authors: Mahmood
authors: N L M
authors: NL
authors: Nasir
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Rofiee
authors: S F M
authors: SF
authors: Tohid
authors: S M
authors: SM
authors: Ching
authors: L K
authors: LK
authors: Teh
authors: M Z
authors: MZ
authors: Salleh
authors: Z A
authors: ZA
authors: Zakaria
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045467:Elaeocarpaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Elaeocarpaceae; ethnomedicinal uses; pharmacological activities; phytoconstituents