ABSTRACT
The family Apocynaceae consists of approximately 250 genera and 2000 species of tropical trees, shrubs, woody climbers, and herbs. The traditional systems of medicine of the Pacific Rim use about 80 species of plants classified within the family Apocynaceae. Most of them are used to treat gastrointestinal ailments, to reduce fever and pains, and to treat diabetes and infectious diseases. The Malays call the plant pelai penipu paya. They heat and oil the leaves then apply them to the spleen to break malarial fever. In the Philippines, the bark is used to treat fever, fatigue, irregular menses, liver disease, dysentery, malaria, diabetes, and to expel worms from the intestines. The Malays use the plant to promote secretion of milk. Note that pregnane saponins are known to occur in the genus. The pharmacological properties of this plant have not yet been explored. It will be interesting to learn whether further pharmacological study on this plant discloses any agents against Treponema pertenue.
