Artocarpus heterophyllus

Artocarpus macrocrapon

Artocarpus heterophyllus, commonly known as jackfruit, is a versatile tropical powerhouse. Beyond its delicious, nutrient-dense fruit, this medicinal giant offers profound health benefits. Its leaves, bark, and seeds are traditionally utilized in various cultures to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments, making it a vital botanical resource.

  • Scientific name: Artocarpus heterophyllus
  • Family: Moraceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Artocarpus heterophyllus, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Rosalales, it is a member of the family Moraceae. It is further categorized under the genus Artocarpus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Rosales WCVP
Family Moraceae WCVP
Genus Artocarpus WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Artocarpus heterophyllus, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 菠萝蜜 (bōluómì), while in Javanese, it is called Nongko. It is known as པ་ར་མི་ཏ། in Tibetan, chlebowiec różnolistny in Polish, and is called பலா (palā) in Tamil.
Language Common Name Source
zh 菠萝蜜 Wikidata
jv Nongko Wikidata
bo པ་ར་མི་ཏ། Wikidata
pl chlebowiec różnolistny Wikidata
ta பலா Wikidata
hu jákafa Wikidata
ms Pokok Nangka Wikidata
to Mei ʻinitia Wikidata
et Jaka Wikidata
bn কাঁঠাল Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several tropical regions. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in both Gambia and Guinea. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can be found throughout West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically in Cameroon and the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Additionally, its range extends across the ocean to the Western Indian Ocean. Within this maritime region, the species is specifically documented in the Comoros.

Region Area Source
West Tropical Africa Gambia WCVP
West Tropical Africa Guinea WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Cameroon WCVP
West-Central Tropical Africa Gulf of Guinea Is. WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Comoros WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Mauritius WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Réunion WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Seychelles WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Artocarpus heterophyllus, commonly known as jackfruit, possesses various parts that are utilized for their medicinal and practical properties. The large, fleshy fruits are the most well-known component, often used to provide nutrition and support digestive health. The thick, woody stems and the dense, sturdy wood of the tree are valued for their durability, while the roots are sometimes employed in traditional remedies for their specific bioactive compounds. Additionally, the broad, green leaves are frequently used in various cultural practices and herbal preparations, contributing to the overall medicinal versatility of the species.
Total parts
10
Scientific sources
15
Plant Part Sources Confidence
wood 3 ★★☆☆☆
roots 2 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 2 ★☆☆☆☆
fruits 2 ★☆☆☆☆
stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
mature leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆
latex 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Seeds 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Fruits 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Artocarpus heterophyllus has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, 1,4-dibutyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate, 3-Prenyl luteolin, 5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-isoprenylflavone, Lysine.

Total chemicals
19
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 3 ★★☆☆☆
1,4-dibutyl benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3-Prenyl luteolin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
5,7,2',4'-tetrahydroxy-6-isoprenylflavone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Lysine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
PF 1 ★☆☆☆☆
PFs 1 ★☆☆☆☆
alpha-amylase 1 ★☆☆☆☆
artocarpanone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ascorbic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Artocarpus heterophyllus has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiproliferative, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antiphlogistic, Antithrombotic.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antiproliferative 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiphlogistic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antithrombotic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Artocarpus heterophyllus has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, HIV-1, Streptobacillus, air pollution, alpha-amylase.

Total uses
13
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
HIV-1 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Streptobacillus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
air pollution 1 ★☆☆☆☆
alpha-amylase 1 ★☆☆☆☆
blood cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
colon cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
deep vein thrombosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dental caries 1 ★☆☆☆☆