Zi cao

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Sinkiang-Tibet Arnebia

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Macrotomia euchromon
• Lithospermum euchromon

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Boraginales and the family Boraginaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Arnebia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the vast landscapes of Central Asia. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Kazakhstan. Its presence is also documented throughout the mountainous and arid regions of Kirgizstan. Furthermore, the species inhabits various territories in Turkmenistan and Tadzhikistan. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal herb extends into Uzbekistan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Arnebia euchroma is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude alpine environments, typically thriving in mountainous regions and stony places. This species occupies a specific vertical niche within its ecosystem, with an elevational range spanning from a minimum of 2500 m AMSL to a maximum of 4400 m AMSL. On average, the plant is found at a mean elevation of 3350 m AMSL, where the rugged, rocky terrain provides the necessary substrate for its growth.

Elevational range max:

4400 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2500 m AMSL

Habitat :

mountains, stony places

Life history

The life history of Arnebia euchroma is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons rather than completing its life cycle in a single year. As a perennial herb, it establishes a robust root system that stores essential nutrients and water, enabling the plant to survive periods of dormancy and emerge repeatedly from the soil. This lifecycle supports a developmental pattern where the plant can invest significant energy into the production of its characteristic deep red or purple pigments and medicinal compounds over several years. Throughout its lifespan, it undergoes seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and flowering, with its ability to endure long-term environmental fluctuations contributing to its stability in its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Arnebia euchroma is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically categorized as a forb. As a terrestrial plant, it does not exhibit aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The species is a self-supporting organism, lacking any climber, liana, or vine-like structures, and it maintains an independent lifestyle without acting as a parasite. Its physical structure is entirely non-woody, reinforcing its classification as a herbaceous plant.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Arnebia euchroma is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and the development of small, uniform fruit structures. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July, although the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. During the reproductive phase, the plant produces inflorescences that range in length from a minimum of 0.02 m to a maximum of 0.06 m. Following pollination, the plant develops fruits that exhibit highly consistent dimensions; the fruit length is measured at a steady 0.35 cm, with no variation between the minimum, mean, and maximum values. Similarly, the fruit width remains constant at 0.3 cm, with the minimum, mean, and maximum measurements all aligning at this exact value.

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

0.35 cm

Fruit width max:

0.3 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.06 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Arnebia euchroma has 4 reported plant parts identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf, rhizome, stem.

Root

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Scientific reports
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Rhizome

1. International journal of antimicrobial agents

Stem

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Arnebia euchroma has 39 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include shikonin, Acetylshikonin, Flavonoids, Arnebinone, Deoxyshikonin.

shikonin

1. FEMS yeast research
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
3. Scientific reports
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Acetylshikonin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Recent patents on biotechnology
3. Biochimica et biophysica acta

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in plant science
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. BMC plant biology

Arnebinone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Deoxyshikonin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Recent patents on biotechnology

Naphthoquinones

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

4-Coumaric acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Activated charcoal

1. Cell biology international

Alkannin

1. Journal of natural products

Anthocyanins

1. BMC plant biology

Activities

Arnebia euchroma has 6 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiviral, Chemopreventive.

Anticancer

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Recent patents on biotechnology

Antimicrobial

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Recent patents on biotechnology

Antioxidant

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Recent patents on biotechnology

Antiviral

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemopreventive

1. Journal of biomolecular screening

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Arnebia euchroma has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, EV-A71, antioxidant, antiviral, cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations