Avicennia alba
Avicennia alba, commonly known as the white mangrove, is a vital halophyte found in tropical coastal ecosystems. Renowned for its salt-excreting leaves and complex root systems, this resilient species stabilizes shorelines, provides essential habitats, and offers significant medicinal potential in treating various ailments through its unique bioactive chemical compounds.
- Scientific name: Avicennia alba
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Lamiales, it is classified under the family Acanthaceae and the genus Avicennia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Acanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Avicennia | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in South and Southeast Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, Avicennia alba can be found growing in both India and Bangladesh. Its presence extends into the Indo-China region, where it is documented in Myanmar and Thailand. Additionally, the species is specifically located around the Andaman Islands. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's preference for coastal or mangrove environments within these tropical territories.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Lesser Sunda Is. | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
Chemicals
Avicennia alba has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include avicenol-A, avicenol-B, avicenol-C, avicequinone-A, avicequinone-B.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| avicenol-A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| avicenol-B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| avicenol-C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| avicequinone-A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| avicequinone-B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| avicequinone-C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Avicennia alba has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Avicennia alba has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antioxidant, breast cancer, colon cancer, gastric cancer.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |