Albizia lebbeck
What's the taxonomical classification of Albizia lebbeck?
Albizia lebbeck belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, this plant is further categorized under the order Fabales. It is a member of the family Fabaceae, which places it within the diverse group of legumes. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Albizia and the species lebbeck.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Albizia |
| Species | lebbeck |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Albizia lebbeck has a large spreading canopy supported by a trunk that can reach up to 30 meters in height with greyish-brown fissured bark. The leaves are bipinnate and composed of numerous small leaflets arranged along several pairs of pinnae. It produces fragrant, cream-colored flowers that feature long, prominent stamens giving them a powder-puff appearance. These flowers eventually develop into flat, brown, papery seed pods that contain several small seeds. The overall structure of the tree is characterized by a wide crown and fine-textured foliage.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to a vast range spanning from the Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia and into parts of northern Australia. It thrives primarily in tropical and subtropical climates where seasonal moisture is abundant. Within its natural habitat, the species is frequently found in dry deciduous forests and along riverbanks. Due to its ornamental value and hardiness, it has been widely introduced to other warm regions, including parts of Africa and the Caribbean. This widespread distribution is facilitated by its ability to adapt to diverse soil types across various landscapes.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Albizia lebbeck, is cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates by sowing hard seeds in well-draining, loamy soil under full sunlight.
Because the seed coat is quite tough, practitioners often use scarification techniques like hot water soaking to improve germination rates. Once the seedlings are established, they require regular watering but must be protected from waterlogged conditions to prevent root rot. These trees are particularly valued in agroforestry systems for their ability to fix nitrogen and provide shade for underlying crops.
As they mature, they demand minimal maintenance provided they have sufficient space for their expansive root systems.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Albizia lebbeck utilizes its bark, flowers, leaves, roots, and seeds for a variety of medicinal purposes in traditional healing practices. The bark is frequently prepared to treat inflammatory conditions and skin ailments. Medicinal preparations also incorporate the leaves and flowers to manage fever or digestive issues. Additionally, the roots are often decocted to address various systemic ailments. Finally, the seeds are sometimes employed in specific traditional remedies to treat different health concerns.
According to a study published by "Carbohydrate research", a new complex triterpenoid saponin was isolated from the barks of Albizia lebbeck. This substance, identified as 1, has a structure established as 21-[[(2E,6S)-6-[6-deoxy-4-O-[(2E,6S)-6-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-1-oxo-2,7-octadienyl]-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methyl-1-oxo-2,7-octadienyl]-[(β-d-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-2,6-dimethyl-1-oxo-2,7-octadienyl]oxy]-16-hydroxy-3-[[O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 → 6)-2-(acetylamino)-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-(3β,16α,21β)-olean-12-en-28-oic acid O-α-l-arabinofuranosyl-(1 → 4)-O-[β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 → 3)]-O-6-deoxy-α-l-mannopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl ester. The isolation process utilized chromatographic methods and structural elucidation through 1H and 13C NMR spectra, including 2D-NMR techniques like COSY, TOCSY, HSQC, and HMBC. High-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESIMS) analysis and chemical conversions were also employed to characterize the compound. The study further investigated the permeability property of 1 and its activity on membrane integrity.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- flower
- leaves
- roots
- seed
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Albizia lebbeck is utilized in Ayurveda and Indian traditional medicine to treat various ailments through the medicinal application of its bark, leaves, and seeds. In the Ayurvedic tradition, it is frequently employed to manage conditions related to inflammatory disorders and to support digestive health. Practitioners often use decoctions of the bark to address skin diseases and to promote wound healing. Beyond its role in systemic health, the plant is valued in various folk remedies for its potential to soothe the nervous system. These historical applications demonstrate the significant role the species plays in regional herbal pharmacopeia.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", the roots of Albizia lebbeck are used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for curing wounds. The ethanol root extract was found to be highly rich in flavonoids, saponins, phenols, and tannins, with an amount of rutin at 4.66 % w/w. This extract significantly increased wound breaking strength, reaching a ceiling effect at 500 mg/kg p. o. At a dose of 500 mg/kg p. o., the extract depicted optimum wound contraction on the 18th day. Complete wound contraction was ultimately observed at the 22nd post wound day.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ayurveda
- Indian traditional medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Albizia lebbeck?
This plant has potent pharmacological activities including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-diabetic properties. The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects allow the plant extracts to effectively manage pain and reduce swelling in various biological models. Its strong antioxidant capacity helps neutralize free radicals, thereby protecting cells from oxidative stress and damage. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates significant antibacterial action against several pathogenic microorganisms. Scientific studies also highlight its potential anti-diabetic activity by assisting in the regulation of blood glucose levels.
According to a study published by "Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences", the aqueous (AE) and ethanolic extracts (EE) of Albizia lebbeck leaves demonstrate significant central analgesic activity. In experiments involving Wistar rats using Eddy's hot plate and tail flick tests, both AE and EE caused a significant (p<0.05) elevation in the mean basal reaction time in the hot plate method and an increase in the latency time in the tail flick method. When rats were pretreated with bicuculliine or methysergide, a significant (p<0.05) reduction in the analgesic activity was observed compared to AE and EE. The study suggests that these extracts act possibly via the GABAergic and serotonergic pathways. The observed effects could be attributed to the flavonoids and saponins found in the leaves of Albizia lebbeck.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-diabetic
- antioxidant
- antibacterial
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains medicinal compounds including flavonoids, saponins, albiiziasaponins A, albiiziasaponins B, and albiiziasaponins C. These specific types of saponins are unique chemical constituents found within the various parts of the Albizia lebbeck species. The presence of flavonoids contributes to the overall antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant. Researchers study these diverse phytochemicals to understand their potential therapeutic applications in modern medicine. Together, these bioactive substances form a complex chemical profile that defines the plant's medicinal value.
According to a study published by "Phytochemistry", three main saponins named albiziasaponin A, B, and C were isolated from the barks of Albizia lebbeck. The structure of albiziasaponin A was established as acacic acid lactone 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)- beta-D-glucopyranoside. The structure of albiziasaponin B was identified as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-- >6)]- beta-D-glucopyranoside. Finally, the structure of albiziasaponin C was established as 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)- O- [beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- albiziasaponins A
- albiziasaponins B
- albiziasaponins C
- flavonoids
- saponins
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating inflammation, microbial infections, parasitic infections, skin disorders, and wounds. Its various parts contain bioactive compounds that help reduce swelling and soothe irritated tissues. The extracts possess antimicrobial properties that effectively combat harmful bacteria and fungi. Additionally, it is applied topically to promote faster healing of open wounds and skin lesions. These medicinal qualities make it a valuable resource for managing several different types of ailments.
According to a study published by "International journal of tissue reactions", Albizia lebbeck is included in a polyherbal formulation called Aller-7 used for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. This formulation is studied for its anti-inflammatory activity against conditions such as compound 48/80-induced paw edema in Balb/c mice and Swiss Albino mice, as well as carrageenan-induced paw edema in Wistar Albino rats. It is also used to address Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis in Wistar Albino rats through a dose-dependent effect ranging from 150 to 350 mg/kg. At a dose of 250 mg/kg, Aller-7 showed 62.55% inhibition against compound 48/80-induced paw edema in Balb/c mice. Additionally, a dose of 350 mg/kg resulted in an approximately 63% inhibitory effect against Freund's adjuvant-induced arthritis.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- acute inflammation
- inflammation
- inflammatory disorders
- microbial infections
- parasitic infections
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal alcoholic extracts, decoctions, and oils to treat various ailments. The alcoholic extracts serve as potent tinctures that can be easily administered for systemic relief. Decoctions made by boiling the bark or leaves are commonly consumed as therapeutic teas. Additionally, oils infused with the plant are applied topically to the skin for soothing purposes. These diverse preparations allow practitioners to utilize the specific chemical properties of the species effectively.
According to a study published by "Indian journal of physiology and pharmacology", alcoholic extracts of the bark of Albizia lebbeck were examined for their effects. These medicinal herbal preparations of Albizia lebbeck showed moderate in vitro anthelmintic activity against human Ascaris lumbricoides. The study focused on screening indigenous plants for this specific action.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Alcoholic extracts
- decoction
- oils
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can exhibit cytotoxicity against human hepatocarcinoma cancer cell lines, indicating potential anti-tumor properties through the destruction of liver cancer cells. While these findings suggest medicinal value in oncology, the specific mechanisms of cellular death require further investigation to ensure safety. Researchers must carefully evaluate the concentration levels to avoid unintended damage to healthy biological tissues. Potential systemic toxicities could arise if the bioactive compounds interact negatively with normal metabolic processes. Consequently, more extensive clinical studies are necessary to determine the precise therapeutic index and long-term health impacts of its extracts.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", the methanol extract of Albizia lebbeck demonstrated significant cytotoxicity against HepG2 human hepatocarcinoma cancer cell lines. This effect was observed through a significant decrease in cell viability at low concentrations. Specifically, the plant showed an IC50 value of 24.03 μg/mL. These findings indicate that the plant possesses cytotoxic potential which may be a valuable source for human and animal health.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- cytotoxicity against human hepatocarcinoma cancer cell lines
What herbs are paired with Albizia lebbeck?
This plant Albizia lebbeck is traditionally paired with herbs such as ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon to enhance its sedative and anti-inflammatory properties in medicinal preparations.
These combinations are often used in Ayurvedic traditions to balance the body's internal energies. Adding warming spices like ginger helps to improve the bioavailability of the plant's active compounds during digestion. Furthermore, combining it with aromatic herbs can help mask the bitter taste of the bark or leaves.
These specific pairings are carefully selected to target different systemic ailments through synergistic effects.