ABSTRACT
The family Simaroubaceae consists of approximately 25 genera and 150 species of tropical trees and shrubs known to elaborate a series of oxygenated triterpenoids, such as quassinoids and limonoids, which make the bark, wood, and seeds very bitter. The main field characteristics to note when looking for Simaroubaceae are slender trees without latex or sap, a massive crown of long pinnate leaves on top of a slender bole, and racemes of little drupes or berries. The evidence for existence of quassinoids of chemotherapeutic value in the Simaroubaceae is strong and it seems likely that molecules of clinical value will be derived from this family in the near future. The Malays call the plants therung, tongkat baginda, penawar serama, or bedara pahit. The bark of Quassia indica Nootebom is used to reduce fever in Burma, Indonesia, and the Philippines. In Philippines, chips of wood are put in coconut oil which is used as a drink as a purgative, to reduce fever.
