Bupleurum fruticosum

Shrubby hare's ear

Bupleurum fruticosum, commonly known as thorny bupleurum, is a perennial medicinal herb native to East Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine, it contains bioactive compounds like saikosaponins. These constituents offer potent anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties, making it a vital plant for addressing various inflammatory and liver-related conditions.

  • Scientific name: Bupleurum fruticosum
  • Family: Apiaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Apiales, it is classified under the family Apiaceae. Finally, it is specifically identified by the genus Bupleurum.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Apiales WCVP
Family Apiaceae WCVP
Genus Bupleurum WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Bupleurum fruticosum, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Catalan, it is called matabou, while in German, it is known as Strauchiges Hasenohr. It is identified as pensasjänönputki in Finnish, and in Welsh, it goes by the name Llwyn paladr trwyddo. Additionally, in Welsh (Cymraeg) context, it is sometimes linked to the name Llwyn paladr trwyddo, and in Arabic, it is referred to as دبيق شجيري.
Language Common Name Source
ca matabou Wikidata
de Strauchiges Hasenohr Wikidata
fi pensasjänönputki Wikidata
cy Llwyn paladr trwyddo Wikidata
ar دبيق شجيري Wikidata
nb Buskhareøre Wikidata
arz دبيق شجيرى Wikidata
et põõsas-jänesekõrv Wikidata
zh 灌木柴胡 Wikidata
ast Amargaza Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a varied geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species is found growing in Germany. Its range extends into Southwestern Europe, where it inhabits the island of Corse. Finally, the plant is also established in the Southwestern European territories of France and Portugal.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Southwestern Europe Corse WCVP
Southwestern Europe France WCVP
Southwestern Europe Portugal WCVP
Southwestern Europe Sardegna WCVP
Southwestern Europe Spain WCVP
Southeastern Europe Greece WCVP
Southeastern Europe Italy WCVP
Southeastern Europe Sicilia WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Bupleurum fruticosum, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties, which are concentrated in its roots. These roots serve as the essential component used in traditional therapeutic applications, often processed to extract active compounds believed to support various health functions. While the aerial parts of the plant contribute to its overall biological lifecycle, it is the underground root system that remains the most significant part for pharmacological use.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
2
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Bupleurum fruticosum has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)coumarin, 7-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-butenyloxy)-6-methoxycoumarin, TNF-alpha, aesculetin, buddlejasaponin IV.

Total chemicals
11
Scientific sources
11

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
5,7-dihydroxy-6-methoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)coumarin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
7-(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-butenyloxy)-6-methoxycoumarin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
TNF-alpha 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aesculetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
buddlejasaponin IV 1 ★☆☆☆☆
capensin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fraxetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
malonylbuddlejasaponin IV 1 ★☆☆☆☆
prenyletin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
scoparone 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Bupleurum fruticosum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Bupleurum fruticosum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include TNF-alpha.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
TNF-alpha 1 ★☆☆☆☆