ABSTRACT
The family Myrsinaceae consists of 30 genera and approximately 1000 species of tropical plants of which 40 species are medicinal in the Asia–Pacific, notably for the treatment of uterine disorders, inflamed throat, and as an analgesic. Myrsinaceae are recognized in the field by the presence of glands beneath the blade. An interesting feature of Myrsinaceae family and Ardisia species is their ability to produce an unusual series of benzoquinones which have displayed a surprising number of pharmacological activities. Aegicera corniculatum Blco. is a tree that grows to a height of 4m in the mangroves of the tropical belt including Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. Indonesians apply the sap squeezed from the stem to itchy parts of the skin. There is no evidence available on the pharmacological value of this plant. Ardisia lanceolata is a tree that grows to a height of 8m in Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, and Celebes.
