Mining Therapeutic Efficacy from the Treasure Chest of Biodiversity and Chemodiversity: Pharmacophylogeny of Ranunculales Medicinal Plants

The study explored the pharmacophylogeny of Ranunculales, an order of medicinal plants comprising 7 families, known for their biodiversity and chemodiversity. It highlighted that phylogenetically related species often share similar chemical profiles and therapeutic properties, validated by ethnomedicinal and pharmacological evidence. Key compounds include benzylisoquinoline alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and lignans, with bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids prevalent in Berberidaceae and Menispermaceae. Common ethnomedicinal uses were for arthritis, detoxification, and treating sores, while bioactivities studied included anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. The analysis aligned traditional and modern medicinal uses with molecular phylogeny, aiding in the conservation and development of plant-based therapies.