Brucea javanica
Brucea javanica, commonly known as the Brucea tree, is a significant medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, particularly bruceines, it is extensively used in traditional medicine to treat malaria, inflammation, and various skin conditions, offering promising pharmacological potential for modern therapeutic development.
- Scientific name: Brucea javanica
- Family: Simaroubaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic descent places it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales. It is a member of the family Simaroubaceae and is specifically identified under 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 javanica, is referred to by various common names depending on the region and language. In Chinese, it is called 鸦胆子 (zh) or 鴉膽子 (zh-tw), while in Vietnamese, it is known as Xoan rừng (vi). In Thailand, the plant is called ราชดัด (th), and in Japan, it is commonly referred to as アタンシ (ja).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 鸦胆子 | Wikidata |
| vi | Xoan rừng | Wikidata |
| th | ราชดัด | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 鴉膽子 | Wikidata |
| ja | アタンシ | Wikidata |
| ml | ബ്രൂസിയ ജാവനിക്ക | Wikidata |
| su | Walot | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 鸦胆子 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 鸦胆子 | Wikidata |
| id | Buah Makasar | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several major regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically within the DR Congo. Its presence extends into Central Asia, where it is documented in both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Within China, the species is located in the South-Central regions as well as on the island of Hainan. These varied locations highlight the broad environmental adaptability of the species.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Tadzhikistan | WCVP |
| Central Asia | Uzbekistan | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Brucea javaica, is a medicinal shrub where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The leaves are frequently studied for their bioactive compounds, while the root is often processed for traditional medicinal preparations. The reproductive structures are particularly notable, as the fruit develops into a distinct form that eventually houses the seeds. Specifically, the mature fruits are known to contain potent alkaloids, making the entire botanical structure a significant subject in pharmacological research.- Total parts
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 37
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| seeds | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oil | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Brucea javanica has 68 reported phytochemicals identified across 94 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include brusatol, Brusatol, bruceine D, Bruceine D, bruceantinol.
- Total chemicals
- 68
- Scientific sources
- 94
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| brusatol | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Brusatol | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bruceine D | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Bruceine D | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bruceantinol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bruceine B | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bruceantinoside A | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bruceine A | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bruceoside A | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bruceoside B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Brucea javanica has 6 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Anticancer, Antitumor, Antiplasmodial, Antiprotozoal.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimalarial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Chemopreventive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Brucea javanica has 33 reported medicinal uses identified across 53 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, cancer, dysentery, fever, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 33
- Scientific sources
- 53
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| cancer | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| dysentery | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fever | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ulcerative colitis | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leukemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Blastocystis hominis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |