Unveiling the Healing Potential of Avicennia marina: A Mini Review on its Medicinal Marvels

Abstract

This mini review delves into the therapeutic attributes of Avicennia marina, commonly known as the Grey Mangrove, situated within mangrove ecosystems. Characterized by unique biochemical features, A. marina has captured the attention of the scientific community for its potential medicinal applications. Thriving in intertidal zones amidst salinity fluctuations and environmental stressors, this resilient mangrove species has evolved adaptive mechanisms, leading to the synthesis of secondary metabolites with recognized pharmacological properties. Beyond its immediate relevance in medical research, A. marina emerges as a significant player in environmental health, especially in the context of escalating climate change challenges. The intertidal zones it inhabits face increasing vulnerability to rising sea levels and temperature fluctuations, emphasizing the importance of understanding its adaptive mechanisms for both medicinal and ecological insights. Moreover, A. marina serves as a testament to the intricate interplay between nature and human health. Bioactive compounds found in this mangrove not only hold promise for pharmaceutical applications but also contribute to the burgeoning field of herbal medicine. Integrating traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches provides a holistic understanding of the Grey Mangrove’s therapeutic spectrum, unveiling potential herbal remedies with relevance to contemporary healthcare practices. This dual perspective positions A. marina as a subject of interdisciplinary research, where botanical pharmacology intersects with ecological resilience, addressing both medical and environmental challenges.

Keywords:

Grey Mangrove, A. marina, intertidal zones

References
[1] Farshid Z, Moradi Balef R, Zendehboudi T, Dehghan N, Mohajer F, Kalbi S, et al. Reforestation of grey mangroves (Avicennia marina) along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf. Wetl Ecol Manag. 2023;31(1):115-28.

[2] Mitra S, Naskar N, Chaudhuri P. A review on potential bioactive phytochemicals for novel therapeutic applications with special emphasis on mangrove species. Phytomed Plus. 2021;1(4):100107.

[3] Doifode MR, Hosamani AS, Dasgupta D, Boruah P, Parab MM, Gupta PP, editors. Profiling of antibacterial compounds from selective medicinal mangrove species. Med Sci Forum. 2023: MDPI.

[4] Nizam A, Meera SP, Kumar A. Genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying mangrove adaptations to intertidal environments. iScience. 2022;25(1):103547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.103547

[5] ElDohaji LM, Hamoda AM, Hamdy R, Soliman SSM. Avicennia marina a natural reservoir of phytopharmaceuticals: Curative power and platform of medicines. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;263:113179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113179

[6] Akram H, Hussain S, Mazumdar P, Chua KO, Butt TE, Harikrishna JA. Mangrove health: A review of functions, threats, and challenges associated with mangrove management practices. Forests. 2023;14(9):1698. https://doi.org/10.3390/f14091698

[7] Al-Muhyi A, Bashar A, Kwyes A. The study of climate change using statistical analysis case steady temperature variation in Basra. Int J Acad Res. 2016;3(2):5.

[8] Ellison JC, Zouh I. Vulnerability to climate change of mangroves: assessment from cameroon, central Africa. Biology. 2012;1(3):617- 38. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology1030617

[9] Yadav V, Zhong H, Patel MK, Zhang S, Zhou X, Zhang C, et al. Integrated omics-based exploration for temperature stress resilience: An approach to smart grape breeding strategies. Plant Stress. 2024:100356.

[10] Sadeer NB, Zengin G, Mahomoodally MF. Biotechnological applications of mangrove plants and their isolated compounds in medicine-a mechanistic overview. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2023;43(3):393-414. https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2022.2033682

[11] Alves RR, Rosa IM. Biodiversity, traditional medicine and public health: where do they meet? J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2007;3:14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746- 4269-3-14

[12] Wang H, Chen Y, Wang L, Liu Q, Yang S, Wang C. Advancing herbal medicine: Enhancing product quality and safety through robust quality control practices. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1265178. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1265178

[13] Zhu F, Chen X, Yuan Y, Huang M, Sun H, Xiang W. The chemical investigations of the mangrove plant Avicennia marina and its endophytes. Open Nat Prod J. 2009;2(1).

[14] Mitra S, Naskar N, Lahiri S, Chaudhuri P. A study on phytochemical profiling of Avicennia marina mangrove leaves collected from Indian Sundarbans. Sustain Chem. 2023;4:100041.

[15] Lalitha P, Sachithanandam V, Swarnakumar N, Sridhar R. Review on anti-inflammatory properties of mangrove plants. Asian J Pharm Res. 2019;9(4):273- 88.

[16] El-Komy MM, Mouafi FE. Mitigating effect of Avicenna marina on indomethacin induced gastric ulcer in male albino rats. Egypt J Basic Appl Sci. 2016;3(2):155-63.

[17] Sharaf M, El-Ansari MA, Saleh NA. New flavonoids from Avicennia marina. Fitoterapia. 2000;71(3):274- 7. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0367-326x(99)00169-0

[18] Okla MK, Alatar AA, Al-Amri SS, Soufan WH, Ahmad A, Abdel-Maksoud MA. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of the extracts of different parts of avicennia marina (Forssk.) Vierh. Plants (Basel). 2021;10(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10020252

[19] Kooti W, Servatyari K, Behzadifar M, Asadi-Samani M, Sadeghi F, Nouri B, et al. Effective medicinal plant in cancer treatment, Part 2: Review Study. J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med. 2017;22(4):982- 95. https://doi.org/10.1177/2156587217696927

[20] Al-Mur BA. Biological activities of

[21] roots and leaves regarding their chemical constituents. Arab J Sci Eng. 2021;46(6):5407-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-05272-1

[22] Jan R, Khan M, Asaf S, Lubna, Asif S, Kim KM. Bioactivity and therapeutic potential of kaempferol and quercetin: New insights for plant and human health. Plants. 2022;11(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192623

[23] Mukherjee PK. Evidence-based validation of herbal medicine: Elsevier; 2015.

[24] Audah KA, Ettin J, Darmadi J, Azizah NN, Anisa AS, Hermawan TDF, et al. Indonesian mangrove sonneratia caseolaris leaves ethanol extract is a potential super antioxidant and anti methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus Drug. Molecules. 2022;27(23). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238369

[25] Chittasupho C, Manthaisong A, Okonogi S, Tadtong S, Samee W. Effects of quercetin and curcumin combination on antibacterial, antioxidant, in vitro wound healing and migration of human dermal fibroblast cells. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;23(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23010142

[26] Kathiresan K. Importance of mangrove forests of India. J Coast Environ. 2010;1(1):11-26.

[27] Ke GN, Utama I, Wagner T, Sweetman AK, Arshad A, Nath TK, et al. Influence of mangrove forests on subjective and psychological wellbeing of coastal communities: Case studies in Malaysia and Indonesia. Front Public Health. 2022;10:898276. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.898276

[28] Spalding M, Mcivor A, Tonneijck F, Tol S, Eijk Pv. Mangroves for coastal defence. 2014.

[29] Unnikrishnan S, Singh A, Kharat MG. The role of mangroves in disaster mitigation: A review. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development. 2012;11(2):164-79.

[30] Ma C, Qirui C, Lv Y. “One community at a time”: Promoting community resilience in the face of natural hazards and public health challenges. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2510. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-17458-x

[31] Anu K, Sneha V, Busheera P, Muhammed J, Augustine A. Mangroves in environmental engineering: Harnessing the multifunctional potential of Nature’s coastal architects for sustainable ecosystem management. Results Eng. 2024:101765.

[32] Ivorra L, Cardoso PG, Chan SK, Cruzeiro C, Tagulao KA. Can mangroves work as an effective phytoremediation tool for pesticide contamination? An interlinked analysis between surface water, sediments and biota. J Clean Prod. 2021;295:126334.

[33] Maulidah FZ, Iskandar J, Gunawan B. The tangible and intangible benefits of mangrove forests as a factor affecting community participation in mangrove management. J Trop Ethnobiol. 2023;6(2):112-25.

[34] Ke G-N, Utama I, Wagner T, Sweetman AK, Arshad A, Nath TK, et al. Influence of mangrove forests on subjective and psychological wellbeing of coastal communities: Case studies in Malaysia and Indonesia. Front Public Health. 2022;10:898276.