Antiaris toxicaria
Antiaris toxicaria · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Antiaris toxicaria is a formidable plant species renowned for its potent biological properties. The seeds of this plant serve as a primary source of highly bioactive compounds. When processed into ethanol extracts, these seeds reveal a complex chemical profile. Specifically, they contain dangerous cardiac glycosides and the specialized chemical glucostrophalloside. These constituents drive the plant's significant cytotoxic activities, making it a subject of intense pharmacological interest.
- Synonyms
- Ipo Toxicaria · Mithridatea Toxicaria · 1 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Moraceae
- Distribution
- Southern America
- Plant Parts
- Seed
Classification
Common Names
Antiaris toxicaria is a notable species known by a diverse array of regional names. In many areas, it is commonly referred to as Ipuh or Pokok Ipoh. Depending on the local dialect, it may also be identified as Sui. Travelers and botanists might encounter it under the name Upasbaum in certain contexts. Furthermore, the plant is frequently recognized as Upasträd in specific traditional settings.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Antiaris toxicaria is a botanical subject that has been identified through several different scientific names throughout history. Due to various taxonomic classifications, the plant is also recognized by the synonym Cestrum toxicarium. Furthermore, researchers and botanists have documented it under the name Ipo toxicaria in certain contexts. The species is also linked to the synonym Mithridatea toxicaria, reflecting the complexity of its nomenclature. Understanding these various relationships is essential for accurate identification in botanical studies.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Antiaris toxicaria is a notable member of the kingdom Plantae. This distinctive species belongs to the genus Antiaris within the Moraceae family. Its botanical classification further places it under the order Rosales. Additionally, the plant is categorized under the class Equisetopsida. Understanding these hierarchical relationships provides essential insight into its biological identity.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Antiaris |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Antiaris toxicaria is a notable botanical species with a widespread distribution across the African continent. It is found extensively throughout East Tropical Africa, specifically within the borders of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The plant's presence also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it can be located in Chad. Additionally, it is documented as growing within the diverse landscapes of Ethiopia. This broad geographic range highlights the adaptability of the species across various African ecosystems.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Antiaris toxicaria is a robust, self-supporting tree that plays a significant role in its ecosystem. This impressive species typically reaches a minimum height of 10 meters as it begins its ascent toward the canopy. For many specimens, a more mature stature is common, often exceeding a minimum of 35.5 meters. Ultimately, these trees can reach a towering maximum height of 45 meters. Such substantial growth forms allow the plant to dominate its forest environment.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Antiaris toxicaria contains potent chemical compounds that demonstrate significant biological activity. Research into the plant's seeds has led to the isolation of several cardenolide glycosides, including new compounds such as toxicarioside J, K, and L. These cardiac glycosides were identified and their structures elucidated through advanced spectroscopic methods. Crucially, bioassays have revealed that these specific compounds possess notable cytotoxic properties. Specifically, they exhibit significant cytotoxicity against both human gastric and human hepatoma cell lines.
Compounds
Antiaris toxicaria is a tall tree within the Moraceae family that is highly valued for its diverse medicinal properties. The plant's latex is a rich source of various cardiac glycosides, which hold significant potential for pharmacological research and applications. Scientific investigations into the seeds of the species have further identified specific bioactive compounds, such as the known glucostrophalloside. Recent studies have also isolated new cytotoxic cardenolide glycosides, including toxicariosides J, K, and L, which demonstrate significant activity against human cancer cell lines. Together, these chemical components highlight the complex therapeutic potential embedded within the genetic framework of this unique species.
Conditions
Antiaris toxicaria is categorized as a mildly toxic plant according to the brine shrimp toxicity evaluations conducted in the Kagera Region. Specifically, the ethanol extracts of this medicinal species yielded an LC50 value of 38.2 microg/ml. This measurement places it within the specific range of 30-100 microg/ml defined as mildly toxic in the study. While many of the tested traditional medicines were found to be non-toxic, this plant exhibits a higher level of toxicity than the majority. Consequently, it belongs to a small subset of plants that demonstrate measurable biological activity through these toxicity tests.
Preparations
Antiaris toxicaria is prepared as ethanol extracts for use in traditional medicine within the Bukoba district of northwestern Tanzania. These specific extracts were evaluated in a study to determine their brine shrimp toxicity levels. The research categorized the ethanol extract of Antiaris toxicaria as having a mild toxicity level. Specifically, the plant demonstrated an LC50 value of 38.2 microg/ml during the testing process. This finding places it among a group of medicinal plants that fall within the 30-100 microg/ml toxicity range.
Parts used
Antiaris toxicaria contains highly potent bioactive compounds located specifically within its seed. Recent chemical investigations have utilized ethanolic extracts from these seeds to isolate several unique cardenolide glycosides. Through advanced spectroscopic techniques, researchers identified three new cardiac glycosides named toxicarioside J, K, and L. These specific components derived from the plant seeds demonstrate significant cytotoxic properties when tested against various human cancer cell lines. This relationship underscores the medicinal potential inherent in the chemical makeup of the species' seeds.