REVIEW OF BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN EHRETIA ASPERULA ZOLLINGER & MORITZI PLANT

Abstract

Worldwide, the genus Ehretia P. Br. has about 50 species, and seven species of this genus have been discovered in Vietnam. Among them, Ehretia asperula Zollinger & Moritzi and extracts from this plant have been used by folk medicine as medicine and have proven pharmacological effects, used as a tea and functional foods. Up to now, black galangal has been widely grown in provinces such as Ha Nam, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Thua Thien-Hue, Gia Lai, Cuc Phuong National Park, Ba Vi National Park. This article will focus on synthesizing research information on black galangal's biological characteristics and essential biologically active compounds, such as antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-microbiology. Based on published scientific data, black galangal is a potential medicinal species because of the diversity of chemical composition and physical activities that this medicinal herb brings.