Alnus incana
Alnus incana · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (3 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Alnus incana is a botanical species that has gained significant scientific interest due to its diverse therapeutic potential. Research into its various preparations, including bark, butanol, and dichloromethane (DCM) extracts, has revealed a rich profile of bioactive compounds. These chemical constituents, such as betulin, betulinic acid, lupenone, and various flavonoids, contribute to the plant's robust biological activities. Specifically, the plant demonstrates notable antiapoptotic, anticancer, and antioxidant properties that are vital for medicinal development. Consequently, these characteristics suggest that Alnus incana may play a crucial role in managing complex conditions such as inflammation and tuberculosis.
- Synonyms
- Betula Alnus Var. Incana · Betula Incana · 2 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Betulaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Not available
Classification
Common Names
Alnus incana is a versatile species recognized by a diverse array of regional names across various languages. In certain areas, it is known by the common names Aulne blanchatre or Grauwe els. The plant is also frequently referred to as Grau-Erle in German-speaking contexts. Moving across different cultural landscapes, it can be identified as Baltalksnis or Boz kızılağaç. These various designations highlight the widespread presence and linguistic diversity associated with this particular tree.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Alnus incana is a botanical species that has been identified through various taxonomic classifications over time. Within scientific literature, it is recognized under several synonyms, including Alnus februaria var. incana and Alnus glutinosa var. incana. The plant has also been historically associated with the name Betula alnus var. incana. Furthermore, some records list it as Betula incana, reflecting different perspectives on its genus. Understanding these diverse nomenclature relationships is essential for accurate identification in botanical studies.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Alnus incana is a fascinating species that belongs to the vast kingdom Plantae. Within this kingdom, it is classified under the class Equisetopsida, marking its fundamental botanical lineage. The plant is further organized into the order Fagales, a group that connects it to many other significant woody species. It resides specifically within the genus Alnus, which defines its unique morphological characteristics. Finally, its botanical identity is completed by its placement in the family Betulaceae.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fagales |
| Family | Betulaceae |
| Genus | Alnus |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Alnus incana exhibits a diverse geographic range that spans several distinct ecological zones across the globe. In the western reaches of its habitat, the species is found within Africa, Macaronesia, and the Azores. Moving eastward, it maintains a significant presence throughout the Asia-Temperate regions, specifically within the Caucasus and Transcaucasus. Its distribution extends deeply into the heart of Asia, where it thrives in the vast landscapes of Siberia and West Siberia. Furthermore, the plant is well-established in Western Asia, particularly within the borders of Türkiye.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Alnus incana is a self-supporting species that takes the form of a sturdy tree. This plant exhibits a significant range in size, with heights typically starting at a minimum of 3 m. Under certain conditions, it can reach a more substantial minimum height of 8.532 m. As it matures, the tree can continue to grow until it reaches a maximum height of 24 m. These diverse dimensions highlight the adaptable growth patterns found within the species.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Alnus incana has emerged as a plant of significant therapeutic interest due to its diverse range of biological activities. Research indicates that extracts from this species possess potent antioxidant properties, which play a crucial role in ameliorating damage caused by iron overload. Furthermore, the plant exhibits notable antiapoptotic activity, helping to protect cells from programmed death during various pathological conditions. Beyond these protective roles, Alnus incana also demonstrates promising anticancer potential, specifically through its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in cancer cell lines. These combined findings suggest that the bioactive compounds within the plant could serve as valuable components in future medicinal treatments.
Compounds
Alnus incana, commonly known as the gray or speckled alder, is a medicinal plant recognized for its diverse range of bioactive compounds. Scientific analysis of its bark has revealed the presence of several pentacyclic lupane triterpenes, including betulin, betulinic acid, betulone, and lupenone. These specific constituents are significant because they contribute to the plant's documented anti-mycobacterial properties. Furthermore, chemical profiling of its leaves identifies phytol as a major terpenoid component within the plant's unsaponifiable fraction. Together, these chemical relationships support the traditional ethnopharmacological uses of the species in treating various health conditions.
Conditions
Alnus incana serves as a potent mechanism-based inactivator of CYP3A4. This plant is also associated with a gallery of Dryocoetes alni in Norway. Regarding its medicinal properties, Alnus incana demonstrates significant in vitro anti-inflammatory effects. It has also shown positive anticancer activity against mouse mastocytoma cells. Furthermore, Alnus incana is used by Canadian First Nations to treat symptoms associated with tuberculosis.
Preparations
Alnus incana is prepared as a dichloromethane (DCM) fraction and a dichloromethane (DCM) extract to investigate its cytotoxic effects and ability to induce cell cycle arrest in HeLa cells. The plant is also processed as a bark extract, specifically through methanolic extraction, to identify anti-mycobacterial triterpenes like betulin. Research further utilizes Alnus incana as a butanol extract to evaluate its capacity to ameliorate iron overload-induced hepatotoxicity in animal models. Additionally, the species is prepared as ethanolic extracts to study its potential for the mechanism-based inactivation of the CYP3A4 enzyme. These various preparation methods allow for the targeted study of the plant's diverse medicinal properties, ranging from anticancer and anti-mycobacterial activities to antioxidant and enzymatic inhibition.