COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE BOTANICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF ADENIUM OBESUM (APOCYNACEAE)
AbstractAdenium obesum, commonly known as Desert Rose, belongs to the family Apocynaceae and is widely distributed in Africa and tropical regions. Traditionally valued as an ornamental and medicinal plant, it possesses diverse pharmacological properties attributed to its rich phytochemical composition, including alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, terpenoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. Various studies have demonstrated its antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, wound healing, anticancer, and trypanocidal activities. Different plant parts such as flowers, leaves, roots, stems, and bark have shown significant biological activities through in-vitro and in-vivo investigations. The pharmacological effects are strongly influenced by extraction methods and solvent polarity. This review summarizes the taxonomy, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and major pharmacological activities of Adenium obesum, highlighting its therapeutic potential and future prospects in phytopharmaceutical research.
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