Biophytum umbraculum
Biophytum umbraculum, commonly known as the "Creeping Oxalis," is a fascinating medicinal plant native to tropical regions. Renowned for its unique creeping habit and heart-shaped leaves, it is traditionally used in various cultures to treat inflammatory conditions, digestive ailments, and skin irritations, offering significant therapeutic potential in herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Biophytum umbraculum
- Family: Oxalidaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Biophytum umbraculum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Oxalidales. Finally, it is a member of the family Oxalidaceae and is placed in 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 |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing naturally in the country of Benin. The species also inhabits various areas throughout Burkina Faso. Additionally, its range extends into the territory of Gambia. Finally, its geographical presence is documented within Guinea-Bissau and Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | 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 | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Chemicals
Biophytum umbraculum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, cassiaoccidentalin A, isoorientin, isovitexin, phenols.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cassiaoccidentalin A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoorientin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isovitexin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Biophytum umbraculum has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiplasmodial, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Biophytum umbraculum has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cerebral malaria, epilepsy, gastrointestinal diseases, insect bites, malaria.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cerebral malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epilepsy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insect bites | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sexually transmitted diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| snake bites | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |