Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries

The genus Melia is known for its phytochemical and secondary metabolite compounds with promising species like Melia azedarach, Melia dubia and Melia volkensii which has a trans-Indian ocean distribution. Melia species have been known for their insecticidal, antiviral and antifungal activity. Traditionally, people have used Melia sp. extract for the treatment of diabetes, fever, scabies and sores. The available information about this genus has not been collated comprehensively. This review attempts to provide a detail information of different species of Melia used for its ethnopharmacological, pharmaceutical and toxicological properties. The phytochemical variation among the different Melia species is also discussed.