Brucea antidysenterica
Brucea antidysenterica, commonly known as Brucea or Brucea tree, is a potent medicinal plant native to East Asia. Renowned for its bitter principles, it is extensively used in traditional medicine to treat amoebic dysentery, intestinal parasites, and various inflammatory conditions, offering significant pharmacological potential in modern therapeutic research.
- Scientific name: Brucea antidysenterica
- Family: Simaroubaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Simaroubaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Brucea.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Simaroubaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Brucea | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Brucea antidysenterica, is referred to by various regional names depending on the linguistic context. In Amharic, it is commonly called የደጋ ኣባሎ, while in Finnish, it is known as lohtupirskomarja.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| am | የደጋ ኣባሎ | Wikidata |
| fi | lohtupirskomarja | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several regions within the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Guinea and Nigeria. Its presence extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Burundi and the Central African Republic. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the country of Cameroon. Together, these locations highlight the plant's importance across diverse tropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Brucea antidysenteriica, possesses several distinct morphological features that are utilized in traditional medicine. The structure is supported by a woody stem that serves as the main framework for the organism. The foliage consists of large, leathery leaves, where each individual leaf contains various bioactive compounds essential for its therapeutic properties. Furthermore, the plant produces specialized reproductive structures, most notably the seeds, which are often harvested for their medicinal potency. Whether examining a single seed or the broader arrangement of the leaves, each part of the plant contributes to its overall biological profile.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Brucea antidysenterica has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Bruceanol G, Bruceantin, bruceantin, bruceantinoside C, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bruceanol G | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bruceantin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bruceantin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bruceantinoside C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydnocarpin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Brucea antidysenterica has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Brucea antidysenterica has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, B16 melanoma, Candida albicans, L1210 leukemia, P388 leukemia.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| B16 melanoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| L1210 leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| P388 leukemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hematological malignancies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |