Dipterocarpus

Dipterocarpus
Dipterocarpus bourdillonii sapling from Peravoor
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Dipterocarpaceae
Genus: Dipterocarpus
C.F.Gaertn.
Species

See text

Dipterocarpus is a genus of flowering plants and the type genus of family Dipterocarpaceae.

Dipterocarpus are the third largest and most diverse genus among Dipterocarpaceae. They are well-known for timber, but less acknowledged for its medicinal importance.[1] The genus has about 70 species,[2] occurring in Southeast Asia. It is an important component of dipterocarp forests. Its generic name comes from Greek and means "two-winged fruits".

The greatest diversity of Dipterocarpus species occurs on Borneo, with many endemic to the island.

Uses

The genus is of considerable importance as timber trees, sold under the trade name Keruing, although not as important as Shorea species. Dipterocarpus turbinatus, Gurjan, is a major commercial timber species found in the Andaman islands. Gurjan wood is very important for making plywood.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Phytochemically genus Dipterocarpus has reported to contain resin, coumarin and dammar. The Resveratrol class of compounds is one of the major chemical constituent in this genus. Dipterocarpus species showed Anti-AIDS, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant activities. Therapeutically important species in this genus are Dipterocarpus obtusifolius Teijsm ex Miq because it may have cured against AIDS[1]

Selected species

Species include:[2]

References

  1. 1 2 Aslam, Muhammad Shahzad, Muhammad Syarhabil Ahmad, and Awang Soh Mamat. A PHYTOCHEMICAL, ETHNO MEDICINAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW OF GENUS DIPTEROCARPUS, International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science, Volume 7, issue 4, pp. 27-38
  2. 1 2 "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species".

External links

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