Ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and bioactivity of the genusTurnera (Passifloraceae)with a focus on damiana -Turnera diffusa

Ethnopharmacological relevance:Half a dozen of the currently accepted 135Turneraspecies are used in traditional medicine, most notably Turnera diffusaWilld. ex Schult. which is one of the most highly appreciated plant aphrodisiacs. Other traditional uses ofTurneraL. species include the treatment of anaemia, bronchitis, cough, diabetes, fever, fungal disease, gastrointestinal complaints, pain, pulmonary and respiratory diseases, skin disorders, and women's health problems. Additionally,Turneraspecies are used as abortives, expectorants, and laxatives. Phytochemistry:Flavonoids (22 different compounds), maltol glucoside, phenolics, cyanogenic glycosides (7 different compounds), monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, the polyterpene ficaprenol-11, fatty acids, and caffeine have been found in the genusTurnera. Bioactivity:Bioactivities experimentally proven for members of the genusTurneraencompass antianxiety, antiaromatase, antibacterial including antimycobacterial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, adapatogenic, antiobesity, antispasmodic, cytotoxic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and aphrodisiac activities. Most of these activities have so far been investigated only in chemical, cell based, or animal assays. In contrast, the antiobesity activity was also investigated in a study on healthy human subjects and with a herbal preparation containing among other ingredientsTurnera diffusaleaves. Moreover, the enhancement of female sexual function was assessed in humans; again the product contained besides Turnera diffusa other potentially bioactive ingredients. However, with only few exceptions, most of the traditional uses and the experimentally verified bioactivities can currently not be related to a particular compound or compound class. A notable exception is theflavonoid apigenin, which was identified animal experiments as the antinociceptive principle ofTurnera diffusa. Conclusion:In this review, the current knowledge on ethnobotanical uses of members of the genus Turnera, the secondary metabolites reported from Turnera, and experimentally documented bioactivities fromTurneraextracts and pure compounds derived fromTurneraextracts are compiled. Moreover, some of the most interesting avenues for future research projects are being discussed briefly. These include in particular the aphrodisiac activity ofTurnera diffusaand the antibiotic activity potentiating effect of Turnera ulmifoliaL. against aminoglycoside resistant bacteria.