ABSTRACT
The Periplocoididae subfamily of the Apocynaceae family contains the genus Cryptolepis. With 30 species and a vast distribution, Cryptolepis is the second biggest genus in the Periplocoideae subfamily. It has long been a staple of conventional medicine and has gained popularity for its potential as a complementary therapy for a range of medical issues. The most researched species, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, has historically been used in West Africa to treat respiratory ailments, diarrhoea, and malaria. Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, a plant renowned for its antimalarial qualities, yields cryptolepine, a monomeric heterocyclic indoloquinoline conjugate. Its pharmacological features, which include the potential for utilizing it to treat Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis B virus infection, cancers, and liver damage, as well as its antibacterial and antifungal capabilities, have all been studied. This chapter discusses the pharmacology of Cryptolepis, its advantages for treating malaria, and any possible drawbacks.
