Avicennia: a mangrove genus unveiled through its phytochemistry, pharmacological, and ecological importance

Mangroves are commonly salt-tolerant plants that form distinguishing ecosystems and communities to survive in a harsh environment, and mangroves are believed to produce numerous phytochemicals. The genus Avicennia consists of eight species of mangrove trees found in the intertidal zones of estuaries and seabeds across tropical and temperate regions worldwide. These plants offer both ecological and economic benefits. Mangrove plants have been utilized in traditional medicine, and extracts from these species exhibit inhibitory effects against diseases affecting humans, animals, and plants. The objective of this review was to furnish advanced research knowledge for future scientists to identify novel medication compounds from Avicennia plants, and also address to find out the research gap by exploring the diversity and distribution of Avicennia, along with a detailed analysis of their ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical profiles, and pharmacological properties. Avicennia are popular for their distinctive metabolites in various chemical classes, which contribute to their extensive pharmacological activities. Bioactive components like tannins, glycosides, flavonoids alkaloids, phenols, saponins, and terpenoids have been recognized in this plant. Subsequently, there is substantial potential to discover new phytochemicals with strong pharmaceutical properties from various Avicennia species. Pharmacological studies confirmed that this genus showed good antioxidant, antineoplastic, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.