Artocarpus lakoocha
What's the taxonomical classification of Artocarpus lakoocha?
Artocarpus lakoocha belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following its taxonomic hierarchy further, it falls under the order Rosales and is a member of the family Moraceae. Finally, it is defined by the genus Artocarpus and is specifically identified by the species name lakoocha.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Artocarpus |
| Species | lakoocha |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Artocarpus lakoocha has large, alternate, elliptical leaves that are dark green, leathery in texture, and possess prominent pinnate venation. The tree typically develops a spreading crown with branches that bear these dense, glossy foliage clusters. Its reproductive structures consist of small, inconspicuous flowers that eventually develop into fleshy, aggregate fruits. These fruits are often globose or ovoid in shape and feature a specialized outer rind. The woody stem and bark provide a sturdy structural foundation for the expansive canopy.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically occurring throughout Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of Malaysia. It thrives primarily in humid, lowland environments where seasonal rainfall is abundant. These populations are often found in secondary forests or near riverbanks where the soil remains consistently moist. While its natural range is concentrated in these specific tropical latitudes, it is not commonly documented in wild habitats outside of this geographic zone. Local ecosystems in these areas provide the necessary temperature and canopy cover required for its growth.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant thrives in tropical environments requiring well-drained, nutrient-rich soil and consistent high humidity to support its growth.
Farmers typically propagate the species through seeds or grafting techniques to ensure established root systems. Regular watering is essential during the early developmental stages to prevent drought stress in the young saplings. Once mature, the trees benefit from moderate sunlight exposure and periodic fertilization to enhance fruit production.
Maintaining proper spacing between trees helps prevent the spread of fungal diseases in dense groves.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Artocarpus lakoocha provides medicinal benefits through its heartwood, latex, roots, and wood. The heartwood is frequently utilized in traditional practices to treat various skin ailments and inflammatory conditions. Its milky latex serves as a topical application for managing wounds and fungal infections. The roots are often prepared as decoctions to address digestive issues and internal ailments. Additionally, the general wood is used in various herbal formulations to support overall wellness.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Artocarpus lakoocha Wall. ex Roxb. has been utilized as a traditional Thai medicine for the treatment of various parasitic diseases. The heartwood of this species was investigated to determine its phytochemical profile and pro-oxidant activity in vitro. Oxyresveratrol was identified as the major component in the extracts and is the most abundant stilbenoid in the Artocarpus lakoocha heartwood. This compound induced DNA damage dose-dependently in the presence of copper (II) ions. It was also found to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner and reduce copper (II) to copper (I).
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- heartwood
- latex
- roots
- wood
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Artocarpus lakoocha, is utilized in Thai traditional medicine to treat various ailments through the application of its bark, leaves, and fruit. Practitioners often decoct the bark to address digestive issues and inflammatory conditions. The leaves are frequently used in topical applications to soothe skin irritations or reduce swelling. In some historical contexts, the fruit has been consumed for its nutritional benefits and mild medicinal properties. These diverse uses reflect the plant's integral role in regional herbal healing practices.
According to a study published by "Antiviral research", Artocarpus lakoocha is a Thai traditional medicinal plant. Oxyresveratrol is a major compound purified from this plant. In studies involving mice, oral treatment with 500mg/kg/dose at 8 h before and three times daily showed significant delay in herpetic skin lesion development with P<0.05. Additionally, topical application of 30% oxyresveratrol ointment five times daily significantly delayed the development of skin lesions and protected mice from death with P<0.0001.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Thai traditional medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Artocarpus lakoocha?
This plant has potent pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, cytotoxic, and wound-healing activities. Its antioxidant capacity helps neutralize free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress within biological systems. The presence of specific phytochemicals allows the plant to exert cytotoxic effects that can inhibit the proliferation of malignant cells. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory mechanisms work to reduce swelling and pain in damaged tissues. These combined biological effects also facilitate the wound-healing process by promoting tissue regeneration and protecting the injury site.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", the latex of the medicinal plant Artocarpus lakoocha has shown potential anti-inflammatory and wound-healing capabilities. This latex contains a novel heme-peroxidase that exhibits stability and structural integrity across a wide pH range of 3-10. The protein also maintains its structure at a temperature of 70°C and in high concentrations of 5 M GuHCl and 8 M urea. Various folding states were observed, including a molten globule state at pH 2 and an acid-unfolded state at pH 1.5 or lower. Additionally, the protein showed an acid-refolded state at pH 0.5 and alkaline denatured states at pH 8-12.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anticancer
- antioxidant
- cytotoxic
- wound-healing
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds lakoochins A, lakoochins B, oxyresveratrol, lakoochin, and lakoochinoine. These specific chemical constituents are primarily found within the heartwood of the species. Many of these compounds, particularly the stilbene derivative oxyresveratrol, are studied for their potent biological activities. The presence of lakoochin and its related derivatives like lakoochinoine contributes to the plant's traditional pharmacological uses. Research into these substances often focuses on their potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural products", two new stilbene derivatives named lakoochiins A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the roots of Artocarpus lakoocha. These compounds exhibited antimycobacterial activity with respective MIC values of 12.5 and 50 microg/mL. Lakoochin A (1) was cytotoxic against the BC cell line with an IC50 of 6.1 microg/mL but remained inactive at 20 microg/mL toward KB cells. Lakoochin B (2) possessed cytotoxicity against both the BC and KB cell lines with IC50 values of 3.1 and 6.1 microg/mL, respectively.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- lakoochins A
- lakoochins B
- oxyresveratrol
- crude aqueous extract
- heme-peroxiadase
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating herpes simplex virus, specifically targeting HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections. Its medicinal properties are applied to manage cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection effectively. Researchers often focus on its ability to soothe a herpetic skin lesion caused by the virus. By applying extracts, it helps reduce the symptoms associated with various forms of the herpes simplex virus. This makes it a valuable resource in traditional medicine for managing skin-related viral outbreaks.
According to a study published by "Antiviral research", Artocarpus lakoocha is used for its major compound oxyresveratrol to treat cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. The inhibitory concentrations for 50% HSV-1 plaque formation using oxyresveratrol were 19.8, 23.3, 23.5, 24.8, 25.5 and 21.7 microg/ml across various isolates. This compound inhibited late protein synthesis at 30 microg/ml and showed activity against both HSV-1 and HSV-2. Oral treatment in mice at 500 mg/kg/dose eight hours before and three times daily resulted in a significant delay in herpetic skin lesion development (P<0.05). Furthermore, topical application of 30% oxyresveratrol ointment five times daily significantly delayed skin lesion development and protected mice from death (P<0.0001).
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- HSV-1
- HSV-2
- Human immunodeficiency virus
- cutaneous herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection
- herpes simplex virus
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as crude aqueous extract and oxyresveraatrol ointment. The crude aqueous extract is typically derived by boiling the plant parts in water to release soluble bioactive compounds. These extracts are often utilized for their potential antimicrobial or antioxidant properties in traditional medicine. Additionally, the oxyresveraatrol ointment serves as a topical application designed to deliver specific chemical constituents directly to the skin. This concentrated topical form is frequently studied for its ability to treat various dermatological conditions.
According to a study published by "Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet", forty-two per cent of 24 patients with Taeniasis saginata were cured by a two-gram dose of a crude aqueous extract of the wood Artocarpus lakoocha, Puag-Haad. Meanwhile, eighty per cent of 25 patients were cured by a three-gram dose. This three-gram dose is comparable to the results of a five-gram dose but had less side-effect. Therefore, the three-gram dose of Puag-Haad is recommended in the treatment of taeniasis.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- crude aqueous extract
- oxyresveratrol ointment
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause DNA damage, the generation of reactive oxygen species, nausea, and vomiting in certain biological contexts. The induction of reactive oxygen species leads to oxidative stress, which can compromise cellular integrity. This chemical imbalance is directly linked to the potential for significant DNA damage within the cells. Furthermore, exposure to the plant's compounds may trigger gastrointestinal distress such as nausea. These systemic reactions can ultimately result in physical vomiting as the body attempts to respond to the toxicity.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Artocarpus lakoocha has been utilized as a traditional Thai medicine for treating various parasitic diseases. The heartwood of this species contains phytochemicals, with oxyresveratrol identified as the major component and the most abundant stilbenoid. This oxyresveratrol induces DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner when copper (II) ions are present. Additionally, the compound generates reactive oxygen species in a dose-dependent manner and reduces copper (II) to copper (I). Such pro-oxidant activity in the presence of copper (II) ions may be associated with its ability to act as an anticancer compound.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- DNA damage
- generation of reactive oxygen species
- nausea
- vomiting
What herbs are paired with Artocarpus lakoocha?
This plant Artocarpus lakoocha is traditionally paired with herbs such as ginger, lemongrass, and holy basil to enhance its medicinal properties in Southeast Asian wellness practices.
When prepared as a decoction, the addition of ginger helps to warm the body and improve the digestive benefits of the bark. Lemongrass is often included in infusions to provide a calming aroma while supporting detoxification processes. Holy basil serves as a complementary ingredient that may help balance the plant's potential anti-inflammatory effects.
These combinations are frequently used in holistic remedies to address various ailments ranging from digestive issues to fever reduction.