Ailanthus altissima
What's the taxonomical classification of Ailanthus altissima?
Ailanthus altissima belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Sapindales. This plant is specifically categorized under the family Simaroubaceae, which places it within the genus Ailanthus. Ultimately, its unique biological identity is defined by its specific classification as the species altissima.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Simaroubaceae |
| Genus | Ailanthus |
| Species | altissima |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Ailanthus altiissima has large, pinnately compound leaves that typically reach 1 to 3 feet in length and consist of 10 to 40 pairs of lanceolate leaflets arranged oppositely along a central rachis. The leaflets are characterized by an entire margin and a smooth, somewhat shiny surface texture. The tree exhibits a fast-growing, upright growth habit with bark that becomes deeply furrowed and grayish as the specimen matures. Small, yellowish-green flowers appear in dense panicles during the summer months. These flowers are eventually replaced by numerous small, winged samaras that facilitate wind dispersal.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of East Asia, specifically spanning across China, Taiwan, and parts of Japan. Due to its ability to thrive in various climates, it has been widely introduced to other continents including North America and parts of Europe. In these non-native regions, it often colonizes disturbed areas, roadsides, and urban environments. Its rapid growth and high tolerance for different soil types allow it to spread aggressively through these new territories. Consequently, it is frequently categorized as an invasive species in many areas outside of its original range.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil to thrive in subtropical or tropical climates.
It grows most vigorously when planted in moist, nutrient-rich earth that prevents water stagnation around the roots. Because it is a fast-growing species, gardeners should provide ample space to accommodate its large canopy and spreading root system. Regular watering is necessary during the establishment phase, though the mature tree becomes quite drought-tolerant once its roots are deep.
Careful monitoring is also advised to manage its tendency to spread aggressively in certain environments.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Ailantanthus altissima provides medicinal value through its bark, fruit, and roots. The bark is often utilized in traditional practices to address various inflammatory conditions and skin ailments. Extracts from the fruit are sometimes applied to treat specific infections or digestive issues. Additionally, the roots are processed to create decoctions used for their purported antimicrobial and analgesic properties. These diverse components allow the plant to serve multiple therapeutic roles in herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "BMC cancer", the bark of Ailantanthus altissima is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. An active constituent called 2-Dihydroailanthone is isolated from this bark. This constituent was tested using the human CRC HCCT116 cell model. The study used several methods such as CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, and flow cytometry to assess its effects. The research investigated how 2-Dihydroailanthone induces cell death through the AMPK/mTOR pathway.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- fruit
- roots
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Ailanthes altissima, has been utilized in various traditional medicinal systems for centuries to treat specific ailments through the application of its bark, leaves, and roots. In Traditional Korean Medicine, the species is frequently employed to address issues related to inflammation and skin conditions. Practitioners have historically used decoctions made from the plant to manage digestive disturbances and feverish symptoms. Some regional folk practices also incorporate the botanical into topical applications to soothe localized swelling or discomfort. These long-standing customs highlight the diverse ways different cultures have integrated the plant into their healing rituals.
According to a study published by "Genes & nutrition", researchers screened 222 methanol extracts of traditional Korean medicinal plants to identify molecules affecting osteoclastic differentiation. While 10 samples were found to induce osteoclastic differentiation, Ailanthus altissima was among the plants that showed inhibitory effects. Specifically, Ailanthus altissima demonstrated the ability to inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in mouse bone marrow macrophages. This screening process helped identify the specific effects of various plants on the balance of bone formation and resorption.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Korean Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Ailanthus altissima?
This plant has diverse pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitumor, antiviral, and HIV-1 fusion inhibition properties. The bioactive compounds within its extracts demonstrate a significant ability to reduce swelling and modulate immune responses. Research indicates that these phytochemicals can effectively inhibit the proliferation of various cancer cells and prevent tumor growth. Furthermore, the plant exhibits potent antiviral effects by targeting specific stages of viral replication. Most notably, it has been shown to interfere with the life cycle of the virus through HIV-1 fusion inhibition.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the dried bark of Ailantanthus altiussima (Mill.) Swingle has been used for thousands of years to treat ailments such as asthma, epilepsy, spermatorrhea, bleeding, and ophthalmic diseases. Approximately 221 chemical compounds, including alkaloids, quassinoids, phenylpropanoids, triterpenoids, and volatile oils, have been isolated from the plant. The crude extracts and active compounds exert a wide range of pharmacological activities, specifically antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, herbicidal, and insecticidal activities. Modern pharmacological studies show that the plant possesses potential to treat cancer and gastrointestinal inflammation. While the plant is safe at a conventional dose, it exhibits toxicity at higher doses due to the presence of quassinoids.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anticancer
- antitumor
- antiviral
- HIV-1 fusion inhibition
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains medicinal compounds including ailanthone, corilagin, quassinoids, triterpenoids, and 2-dihydroailanthone. The presence of quassinoids is particularly significant due to their diverse biological activities. Among these, ailanthone and its derivative 2-dihydroailanthone are often studied for their potent inhibitory properties. Triterpenoids within the species also contribute to its complex chemical profile and therapeutic potential. Additionally, the compound corilagin adds to the specialized phytochemical makeup of the plant.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", approximately 221 chemical compounds have been isolated and characterized from the dried bark of Ailanthus altissima. These compounds include alkaloids, quassinoids, phenylpropanoids, triterpenoids, and volatile oils. Among these isolated substances, the quassinoid ailanthone is identified as the most typical. The crude extracts and active compounds of the plant have been reported to exert activities such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, herbicidal, and insecticidal. While the plant is safe at a conventional dose, it exhibits toxicity at higher doses due to the presence of quassinoids.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- ailanthone
- corilagin
- quassinoids
- triterpenoids
- 2-Dihydroailanthone
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating bowel disorders, colonic inflammation, colonic injury, inflammatory responses, and ulcerative colitis. Its bioactive compounds help to mitigate the intensity of various inflammatory responses within the digestive tract. Research indicates that these properties are particularly effective at reducing the symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis. By addressing colonic inflammation, the plant assists in the recovery of the intestinal lining. These medicinal applications focus on repairing colonic injury and restoring overall gut health.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the bark of Ailanthus altissima is used in traditional remedies for bowel disorders. This study investigated its potential for treating ulcerative colitis by identifying 223 active compounds through UPLC-MS/MS and SwissADME analysis. In a DSS-induced UC mouse model, the plant significantly mitigated colonic injury, reduced DAI scores, and promoted weight recovery. The bark also downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, to suppress inflammatory responses. These findings suggest that the plant effectively reduces colonic inflammation and preserves intestinal mucosal integrity.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- bowel disorders
- colonic inflammation
- colonic injury
- inflammatory responses
- ulcerative colitis
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Ailantanthus altissima, which is utilized in medicinal herbal preparations such as the MeOH extract to harness its bioactive compounds. Researchers often focus on the methanol extract to isolate specific alkaloids and terpenoids responsible for its pharmacological activities. These preparations are studied for their potential antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties in various biological assays. The extraction process typically involves soaking the plant material in methanol to ensure a high concentration of soluble secondary metabolites. Such studies aim to standardize these herbal preparations for future therapeutic applications in traditional and modern medicine.
According to a study published by "Phytotherapy research : PTR", the stem bark of Ailanthus altissima showed the most potent HIV-1 fusion inhibition. This effect was measured at 74.9 +/- 4.4% during a syncytia formation inhibition assay. The testing was performed at a concentration of 100 microg/mL. This study involved applying 80 MeOH extracts to evaluate the interaction between the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp120/41 and the CD4 protein of T lymphocytes.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- MeOH extract
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can induce apoptosis in various human cell types, potentially leading to unintended cellular death and tissue damage if ingested or absorbed. The chemical compounds within Ailantus altissima trigger programmed cell death pathways that disrupt normal biological functions. Such toxicity can manifest as severe gastrointestinal distress or systemic irritation in sensitive individuals. Researchers have observed that these phytochemicals act aggressively against certain cell lines during laboratory testing. Consequently, the plant poses significant health risks that require careful avoidance to prevent adverse physiological reactions.
According to a study published by "Cancer research", the compound 1-methoxy-canthin-6-one isolated from Ailanthus altissima Swingle induces apoptosis in human leukemia, thyroid carcinoma, and hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines. Cultures incubated with the compound showed >50% of sub-G1 elements, with apoptosis-inducing activity evident at <10 micromol/L and half-maximal at about 40 micromol/L. When combined with 0.25 ng/mL TRAIL, suboptimal concentrations of 10 micromol/L 1-methoxy-canthin-6-one induced 45% to 85% of sub-G1 elements. The induction of apoptosis by 1-methoxy-canthin-6-one was >80% prevented by the addition of the JNK inhibitor SP600125. While the compound up-regulates TRAIL-R1, its synergism with TRAIL was reduced by about 50% when the inhibitor was added.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- apoptosis
What herbs are paired with Ailanthus altissima?
This plant pairs effectively with aromatic herbs such as rosemary, lavender, and sage to create a balanced sensory environment.
The structural elegance of the fern tree provides a dramatic backdrop that makes the soft textures of lavender stand out. Using rosemary nearby adds a woody fragrance that complements the plant's lush green foliage. Pairing it with sage offers a silver-toned contrast that enhances the visual depth of a garden bed.
These combinations work best in well-drained soil where all selected species can thrive together.