Diversity and Medicinal Significance of the Genus Pinanga: A Review of Taxonomic and Pharmacological Studies

Palms are an important group of plants that grow in tropical and subtropical areas. They are not only significant for their beauty but also play a key role in providing food and raw materials for the economy. In 1839, a scientist named Blume introduced the genus Pinanga . While he described some new species, P. schwanerensis was described much later, and the precise timing of his descriptions of P. patula , P. salicifolia , and P. albescens in relation to the genus introduction is unclear from the available evidence. Later, more species, such as P. arinasae , P. javana , P. leonardcoi , and P. coronata , along with P. lepidota , P. salicifolia, P. mirabilis, P. chaiana , and P. veitchii , were added. There are also other species, such as P. gruezoi, P. samarana, P. limosa, P . riparia Ridley, P. auriculata Becc. var. merguensis Becc. and a new variety, P. auriculata Becc. var. leucocarpa and P. nuichuensis . These species grow in various places, such as Java, montane forests, and on islands such as Samar, Bucas Grande, Dinagat, and northeastern Mindanao in the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and many other parts of the world. In India, five species of Pinanga — P. dicksonii, P. gracilis, P. griffithii, P. manii , and P. sylvestris —exist, of which P. dicksonii and P. manii occur only in this region and are thus endemic to the region. A review article studied the karyomorphology of Pinanga species in Java and Bali, such as P. arinasae, P. javana , and P. coronata , and explored how their physical features and molecular characteristics are related. The present review further examines the complete chloroplast genome of the rare endemic species P. arinasae. Cytotoxic activity has also been reported for P. limosa, which is commonly referred to as P. puteri. In addition, microsatellite-based investigations have provided information on the molecular diversity of wild P. dicksonii (Roxb.) Blume populations occurring in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Traditional uses and scientific studies highlight Pinanga as one of the most widely used genera in certain regions. Researchers have focused on identifying new species within this genus, underscoring its importance as a medicinal plant. This review provides an updated overview of the taxonomy and pharmacological aspects of the Pinanga genus.