Alangium salviifolium
Alangium salviifolium · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (4 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Alangium salviifolium is a versatile medicinal plant whose therapeutic potential is derived from its flowers, leaves, and fruits. The dried fruits, in particular, serve as a key preparation for harnessing its diverse biological activities, including anthelmintic, amebicide, and anticancer properties. Research highlights its efficacy as an antitumor agent, showing significant promise in addressing conditions such as acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic myelocytic leukemia. These medicinal effects are driven by specialized chemical compounds like deoxytubulosine, 1',2'-dehydrotubulosine, 10-O-demethylcephaeline, and alangine. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates notable antibacterial capabilities, particularly against Gram-negative bacteria.
- Synonyms
- Grewia Salviifolia · Alangium Sundanum Var. Miqueliana · 6 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Cornaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Flower · Fruit
Classification
Common Names
Alangium salviifolium is a versatile botanical species recognized by a diverse array of regional and common names. In English-speaking contexts, it is frequently referred to as Sage Leaved Alangium or simply common sage-leaf alangium. Moving into different linguistic landscapes, the plant is known by the name अंकोळ in certain dialects. This variety extends to the Bengali nomenclature, where it is identified as অঁকোল. Finally, in other regional traditions, the plant is commonly called அழிஞ்சில், highlighting its widespread cultural presence.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Alangium salviifolium is a taxonomically complex species that has been identified by several different scientific names throughout history. It is recognized by various synonyms, including Alangium decapetalum and Alangium latifolium. The plant is also closely associated with the names Alangium mohillae and the specific subspecies Alangium salviifolium subsp. decapetalum. Furthermore, botanical records link it to the variety Alangium sundanum var. miqueliana. Understanding these overlapping classifications is essential for accurate botanical identification and research.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Alangium salviifolium is a distinct botanical specimen that belongs to the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological kingdom, the plant is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further falls into the order Cornales, showcasing its evolutionary connections to related species. As a member of the family Cornaceae, it exhibits specific morphological traits characteristic of its lineage. Ultimately, this species is defined by its placement within the genus Alangium.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Cornales |
| Family | Cornaceae |
| Genus | Alangium |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Alangium salviifolium is a versatile species with an extensive geographical footprint spanning across both Africa and Asia. Within the African continent, its presence is noted in the East Tropical regions of Kenya and Tanzania. The plant also extends into the Western Indian Ocean, where it can be found in the Comoros. Moving into the tropical regions of Asia, the species is well-established throughout the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, its distribution includes significant populations in both Bangladesh and India.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Alangium salviifolium is a self-supporting tree that establishes a sturdy presence in its natural habitat. It typically reaches a maximum height of 10 meters as it matures. This compact growth form allows the species to thrive effectively within various forest structures.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Alangium salviifolium and its close relative Alangium lamarckii contain bioactive compounds that demonstrate significant therapeutic potential. Research into the alkaloid deoxytubulosine isolated from these plants reveals potent anticancer properties through the inhibition of key enzymes like dihydrofolate reductase and thymidylate synthase. These biochemical interactions suggest that the plant serves as a promising source for developing new antitumor agents. Furthermore, the ability of these alkaloids to inhibit the cell growth of organisms like Lactobacillus leichmannii highlights their strong antimicrobial activity. Ultimately, these findings underscore the importance of the Alangium genus in the ongoing search for effective pharmacological treatments.
Compounds
Alangium salviifolium serves as a significant source of various bioactive secondary metabolites. Within its chemical profile, the plant contains several notable alkaloids, including alangine and alangiside. Research has also identified the presence of cephaeline and its derivative, 10-O-demethylcephaeline, within the species. Furthermore, the plant contains deoxytubulosine, a compound noted for its potential anticancer and antimicrobial properties. These diverse chemical constituents highlight the complex pharmacological potential of the Alangium genus.
Conditions
Alangium salviifolium contains diverse isoquinoline alkaloids that function as potent antitumor agents. These bioactive compounds demonstrate significant cytotoxicity when tested against various cancer cell lines. Specifically, the plant's extracts have been shown to treat A549, BEL-7402, and B16 cells through effective inhibitory action. The remarkable cytotoxic properties of these alkaloids are evidenced by their ability to outperform standard controls in certain assays. Such therapeutic potential highlights the importance of the alkaloids derived from Alangium salviifolium in cancer research.
Preparations
Alangium salviifolium is prepared as dried fruits to facilitate the extraction of various chemical compounds. This specific preparation method is essential for isolating alkaloids from the plant material. The drying process helps in identifying unique structures through spectroscopic and chemical means. Such processing ensures that the botanical components are ready for detailed scientific analysis. Consequently, the use of dried fruits remains a standard practice for studying these specific plant relationships.
Parts used
Alangium salviifolium is a versatile plant species that possesses several distinct parts with notable biological properties. The flowers of this plant have demonstrated a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria when treated with methanol extract. Additionally, the leaves contain unique phenolic glycosides, such as salviifosides A-C, which exhibit potential anti-inflammatory effects. Research also highlights the importance of the plant's fruit, which serves as a source for various chemical compounds. Together, these different components illustrate the diverse pharmacological potential found within the various structures of Alangium salviifolium.