ABSTRACT
The family Ebenaceae, or Ebony Family, consists of five genera and approximately 450 species of trees known to elaborate a series of naphthoquinones and pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin. The wood of Ebenaceae is dense, very hard, and blackens upon exposure to light. The principles responsible for the peculiar color of ebonies are naphthoquinones. As a matter of fact, the evidence currently available suggests that naphthoquinones, which are planar intercalate with DNA, interfere with the mitochondrial electron respiratory chain reaction because of its ketone moieties, which tend to generate noxious free radicals. Approximately 20 species of Ebenaceae are used for medicinal purposes in the Asia–Pacific, especially to expel intestinal worms and to treat viral infections. In the Philippines, the bark and leaves are used to treat herpetic eruptions. The antiviral property of the Diospyros multiflora Blco plant is unexplored as of yet. Some evidence has already been presented that indicates that naphthoquinones have antiherpes properties.
