Biophytum sensitivum
Biophytum sensitivum, commonly known as the sensitive plant or "touch-me-not," is a unique medicinal herb prized for its rapid leaf movement. Renowned in traditional medicine, it possesses significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties, offering therapeutic potential in treating skin ailments, digestive issues, and various inflammatory conditions.
- Scientific name: Biophytum sensitivum
- Family: Oxalidaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Biophytum sensitivum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Oxalidales. Finally, it is a member of the family Oxalidaceae and is situated within the genus Biophytum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Oxalidales | WCVP |
| Family | Oxalidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Biophytum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Biophytum sensitivum, is recognized by various traditional names across different cultures and languages. In Chinese, it is referred to as 感应草 (gǎnyìng cǎo) in mainland China and 羞禮花 (xiūlǐ huā) in Taiwan, reflecting its sensitive movement. In Malayalam, it is commonly known as മുക്കുറ്റി (mukkurtti), while in Persian, it is called شبدرترشک نپالی (shabdar-torsh-e nepali). Additionally, in Finnish, it is known by the name herkkäsupukki.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 感应草 | Wikidata |
| ml | മുക്കുറ്റി | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 羞禮花 | Wikidata |
| fa | شبدرترشک نپالی | Wikidata |
| fi | herkkäsupukki | Wikidata |
| su | Ki payung | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 感应草 | Wikidata |
| id | Daun hidup | Wikidata |
| ml | Mukkutti | Wikidata |
| ml | മുക്കൂറ്റി | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Asia. Within China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan provinces. Its presence extends to the island of Taiwan, which is part of the broader Eastern Asia region. Additionally, the species is documented within the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the state of Assam. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various subtropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Biophytum sensitivum, is a small herbaceous species where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The aerial parts of the plant, including the stems and flowers, are often collected for medicinal decoctions. The leaves are particularly notable for their sensitivity to touch, and while the entire leaf structure can be used in traditional remedies, specific preparations may focus on different stages of its development. Additionally, the roots are frequently employed in herbal formulations to treat various ailments, making the entire organism a valuable resource in ethnobotanical practices.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Biophytum sensitivum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include amentoflavone, catalase, cupressuflavone, flavonoids, glutathione.
- Total chemicals
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| amentoflavone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catalase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cupressuflavone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glutathione | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glutathione-S transferase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroxyl radicals | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoorientin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nitric oxide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vitamin C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Biophytum sensitivum has 7 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antitumor, Cardioprotective, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Radioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Biophytum sensitivum has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Ehrlich ascites tumor, aldose reductase, amenorrhea, antioxidant, arthritis.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ehrlich ascites tumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aldose reductase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| amenorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burns | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysmenorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gonorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |