Cajanus cajan
Cajanus cajan, commonly known as pigeon pea, is a versatile legume renowned for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Beyond its role as a vital protein source, it is traditionally used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments, making it a cornerstone of sustainable holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Cajanus cajan
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known as Cajanus cajaen, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and the genus Cajanus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cajanus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant, Cajanus cajan, exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Northern Africa, it is notably found within the borders of Egypt. Its presence extends to the Macaronesia region, specifically occurring in Cape Verde. Furthermore, the species is widespread throughout West Tropical Africa. Within this tropical zone, it is documented in Benin, Burkina, and Gambia.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| 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 | Liberia | WCVP |
Chemicals
Cajanus cajan has 85 reported phytochemicals identified across 106 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, Cajaninstilbene acid, cajaninstilbene acid, ash, catalase.
- Total chemicals
- 85
- Scientific sources
- 106
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cajaninstilbene acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cajaninstilbene acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ash | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catalase | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| iron | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| longistylin A | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| longistylin C | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methionine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cajanus cajan has 5 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antinociceptive, Immunomodulator, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antinociceptive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Immunomodulator | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cajanus cajan has 31 reported medicinal uses identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include sickle cell disease, Alzheimer's disease, Cognitive Impairment, DNA damage, Malnutrition.
- Total uses
- 31
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| sickle cell disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cognitive Impairment | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malnutrition | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthelmintics | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant activity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |