India is the third richest country in the world in terms of mangrove species diversity with 46 true mangrove species belonging to 16 families and 22 genera [
14], Of which, 27 species have been traditionally used against several diseases along with the Indian coastal communities (Sachithanandam et al., 2019 Unpublished data). Mangroves are a unique group of vascular plants that occur in saline coastal habitats and are known to tolerate extreme environmental conditions. Some mangrove plants are used for a wide range of conditions, including bacterial, fungal, and viral diseases. Medicinal plant extracts, known to produce certain bioactive molecules that react with microorganisms in the environment, are known to be less toxic to humans and are environmentally friendly due to fewer pollutants released during production. Mangroves and their associated plants have also been investigated for their medicinal value. Coastal communities of the Gulf of Kutch and Saurashtra use the smoked dry leaves of commonly occurring mangrove species of Avicennia officinalis for relief from asthma [
15]. Another mangrove plant, Acanthus ilicifolius is useful in the treatment of paralysis, and rheumatic pains, and possesses analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and leishmanicidal activities, is a rich source of long-chain alcohols, triterpenes, steroids, and triterpenoids, saponins. Stigmasterol, a common plant steroid possessing a different chemical structure with a wide range of biological activities, is abundantly present in A. ilicifolius and many other mangrove plants shown to have Hypercholesterolemic effects [
16]. The leaves and bark of Acanthus ilicifolius, a shrubby plant associated with mangrove community, is found to be useful in nervous disorders [
15,
17], whereas, the decoction of the plant with sugar candy and cumin is used for indigestion and also for promoting urine and as a cure for dropsy and bilious swellings [
18]. The rhizome paste of Acrostichum aureum, a mangrove species is found to be useful in the case of ulcers, wounds and boils (Skin infections) [
19]. Medicinally, the pounded or grated leaves and rhizomes are applied as a paste to wounds, ulcers and boils all over South-East Asia. An important mangrove associate tree species Calophyllum inophyllum, has a wide range such as in skin problems, rheumatism, swellings, ulcers, scabies, ringworm, boils, itch anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal activity. The paste of its seeds are applied for relief from painful joints, the oil is applied in case of rheumatism, scabies and other skin diseases camphor mixed oil is used for application on ringworms and the soap from oil has strong antibacterial and antifungicidal properties [
19]. The fruits of mangrove tree - Sonneretia caseolaris are used in the preparation of poultice for sprains and swellings [
20]. Kokpol et al., [
21] reported, the known triterpenes, steroids, and a novel triterpenoid ester have been isolated from Acrostichum aureum and Rhizophora apiculata, a mangrove part of fern and tree, respectively. The extracts of these plants are being used in folklore medicine. In addition, A. aureum is used to treat chest pains, hypertrophy, pharyngitis, purgative and medicament pharyngitis, chest pains, hypertrophy, purgative and medicament [
21]. Further, A. aureum has a widespread selection of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory activity, antioxidant activity, Analgesic activity, anti-fertility activity, and cytotoxicity activity [
23,
24,
25,
26,
27,
28]. Recently, a study was performed on fresh leaves of A. marina and R. stylosa and which showed excellent sources for a large number of phytochemicals speciation [
29]. Triterpenoids from R. mangle possess insecticidal properties and has clinical use in the control of diabetes [
30]. Aqueous extract of the bark of R. apiculata is used as an astringent for diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and also as an antiseptic. The extract is also used to stop bleeding in fresh wounds and for the treatment of chronic typhoid fever. The plant also has been used in the textile industry [
21]. S. caseolaris was found to be used traditionally to check hemorrhages, treat piles and it was also used as sprain poultices. This species was also tested for toxicity against mosquito larvae [
31]. Harborne [
32], reported A. marina accumulates glycine, betaine, asparagine and S. alba synthesizes purine nucleotides. It is suggested that the high levels of proline actually provide the basis of resistance to salt accumulation. Mangroves species included S. griffithii were reported to show remarkable anti-hyperglycemic activity33. The extracts from the leaves, stems, bark, and roots of mangroves species such as S. apetala have exhibited positive result for antioxidant activity test. It has also been tested for plant growth regulators, growth hormone tests on plants, and antiviral activity test [
34]. Mangrove plants were studied as a promising alternative for the treatment of cigarette smoking hazardous [
35]. Chemicals in cigarette smoke are a leading cause of death to both smokers and non-smokers [
36]. Mangroves are a potential and novel source of anticancer drugs that regulate cancer pathways and stimulate the immune system. Medicinal research on mangroves for treatment of cancer has provided important methods for studying cancer therapy and mechanisms [
36].