Basella alba
Basella alba, commonly known as Malabar spinach, is a nutritious climbing vine prized in tropical cuisines. Renowned for its succulent leaves and medicinal properties, it serves as a potent antioxidant. Often used to support digestive health and combat inflammation, this versatile plant offers both culinary delight and holistic healing.
- Scientific name: Basella alba
- Family: Basellaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It further falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Caryophyllales. Finally, its taxonomic hierarchy places it in the family Basellaceae and the genus Basella.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Basellaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Basella | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across different climatic zones. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the regions of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, the species is widely distributed. Specifically, it can be found in the nations of Benin, Burkina, and Ghana. Additionally, its habitat extends to the coastal areas of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
Chemicals
Basella alba has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 1-Octadecene, 1-heptatriacotanol, Ca, Mg, Mn.
- Total chemicals
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 1-Octadecene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-heptatriacotanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ca | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Zn | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| naringin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Basella alba has 4 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antiproliferative, Hypocholesterolemic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypocholesterolemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Basella alba has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypercholesterolemia, Diabetes mellitus, aphthae, atherosclerosis, boils.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypercholesterolemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aphthae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| boils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triglycerides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |