Callicarpa macrophylla
What's the taxonomical classification of Callicarpa macrophylla?
Callicarpa macrophylla belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales. It is a member of the family Lamiaceae, which contains the genus Callicarpa, and is specifically identified by the species name macrophylla.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Callicarpa |
| Species | macrophylla |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Callicarpa macrophylla has large, opposite, ovate to elliptic leaves with serrated margins and prominent pinnate venation. The plant typically grows as a woody shrub or small tree characterized by its spreading branching pattern. Its inflorescences consist of small, axillary clusters of flowers that eventually develop into distinctive, spherical drupes. These berries transition from green to a vibrant purple or magenta color upon maturity. The texture of the foliage is often slightly scabrous, adding a tactile dimension to its overall physical structure.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the temperate regions of East Asia, specifically occurring across central and southern China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula. Within these regions, it typically inhabits mountainous areas and forest understories where humidity is relatively high. Its distribution follows specific altitudinal gradients, often favoring moist, shaded environments found in deciduous woodlands. While it thrives in these core habitats, its presence is patchy due to its reliance on particular soil conditions and microclimates. This localized range makes it a distinct component of the regional flora in its native territories.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, moist, and slightly acidic soil located in areas with full sun to partial shade for optimal growth.
Regular watering is essential during the establishment phase to ensure the root system remains hydrated. Providing organic mulch around the base helps maintain consistent soil moisture and suppresses competing weeds. Pruning during the late winter or early spring encourages vigorous new growth and better structural form.
Once mature, the shrub is relatively hardy but should be protected from extreme frost to prevent damage to its foliage.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Callicarpa macrophylla is used medicinally through its aerial parts, which include the leaves, fruits, seeds, and roots. The leaves are often prepared as decoctions to treat various inflammatory conditions and fevers. Its small fruits and seeds contain bioactive compounds that contribute to its therapeutic properties in traditional remedies. Additionally, the roots are processed to address specific ailments within holistic practices. Together, these diverse components make the entire structure of the plant valuable for medicinal purposes.
According to a study published by "Natural product research", the aerial parts of Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl were used to produce a 95% ethanol extract. This extract yielded 3 previously unreported diterpenoids, specifically iso-gaultheriic acid (1), 7α-hydroxy-karamatsuic acid (2), and iso-bodinieric acid J (3), as well as 7 known diterpenoids (4-10). Anti-inflammatory activity tests were performed on compounds 3-9. Among these, compound 6 inhibited LDH release with an IC50 value of 14.79 ± 2.69 µM.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- aerial parts
- fruit
- leaf
- root
- seeds
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Callicarpa macrophylla is utilized in Yao medicine to treat various ailments through the application of its leaves and stems. Practitioners in these traditional systems often prepare decoctions from the foliage to address inflammatory conditions and digestive issues. The plant's chemical properties are historically valued for their ability to soothe skin irritations when applied topically. In some regional practices, the bark is also integrated into complex herbal formulas to manage fever and other systemic imbalances. These longstanding medicinal uses reflect a deep cultural understanding of the plant's biological efficacy.
According to a study published by "Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources", the root of Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl. is a widely used Yao Medicine (YM) to treat internal and external bleeding at the Yao minority areas in southern China. The complete chloroplast genome of this plant, which was collected from Laibin city in Guangxi, China, has a total length of 154,141 bp. This genome includes a large single-copy (LSC) region of 84,904 bp, a small single-copy (SSC) region of 17,839 bp, and a pair of inverted repeats (IRs) regions of 25,699 bp. Within this structure, 131 genes were identified, consisting of 89 protein-coding genes, 34 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content for the genome is 38%.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Yao Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Callicarpa macrophylla?
This plant has demonstrated diverse pharmacological activities including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and antipyretic properties. Research indicates that its bioactive compounds effectively mitigate pain and reduce inflammation in various biological models. The plant also exhibits significant ability to inhibit the growth of certain pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, its antioxidant capacity helps neutralize harmful free radicals within cells. These combined medicinal effects suggest that Callicarpa macrophyllia possesses substantial therapeutic potential for treating various ailments.
According to a study published by "Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)", Callicarpa macrophylla essential oils showed good in vitro antioxidant activity, with the maximum activity found in CMEO-II having IC50 values of 7.37 ± 0.11, 11.49 ± 0.87, 14.59 ± 0.18, 15.66 ± 0.03, and 17.49 ± 0.13 µl/mL. The plant contains over 51 compounds in leaves essential oil (CMLEO), 53 in immature seeds and fruits essential oil (CMEO-I), and 40 in mature seeds and fruits essential oil (CMEO-II). These oils exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity on swiss albiNo mice when compared to standard drugs. The major compounds include β-selinene, which is present at 37.51% in CMLEO, 44.66% in CMEO-I, and 57.01% in CMEO-II. Other identified components include phyllocladene, caryophelline oxide, 9E-epi-caryophelline, longipinocarvone, and 1,8-cineole.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- antioxidant
- antipyretic
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds macrophypene F-G, macrophypene H-J, Calliterpenone, caryophelline oxide, and holophyllin F. These specific bioactive substances are extracted from the various parts of Callicarpa macrophylla for pharmacological study. Researchers analyze these secondary metabolites to understand their potential therapeutic properties in medicine. The presence of these unique chemical structures distinguishes this species from other plants in the Verbenaceae family. Scientific investigation into these compounds continues to reveal how they might interact with biological systems.
According to a study published by "Fitoterapia", a phytochemical investigation of Callicarpa macrophylla resulted in the characterization of two rare rearrangement abietane-type diterpenoids, macrophypene F-G (1-2), and three abietane diterpenoids, named macrophypene H-J (3-5). Five known diterpenoids (6-10) were also identified within the plant. All isolated diterpenoids were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on extracellular PCSK9 protein levels by PCSK9 AlphaLISA screening. Jiadfenoic acid B (6) showed 56.80% inhibition at 20 μM, while holophyllin F (10) showed 43.18% inhibition at 20 μM. These specific compounds significantly decreased PCSK9 protein levels in the medium of HepG2 cells.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- macrophypene F-G
- macrophypene H-J
- holophyllin F
- Calliterpenone
- longipinocarvone
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating inflammation, pain, liver injury, kidney injury, and fever. The medicinal properties of its various components help reduce swelling and discomfort throughout the body. It is often applied or consumed to alleviate intense physical suffering and lower elevated body temperatures. Furthermore, the extracts show promise in protecting vital organs by mitigating damage to the liver and kidneys. These therapeutic applications make it a significant resource in traditional herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Phytochemical analysis : PCA", Callicarpa macrophylla (CM) is one of several species utilized for their anti-inflammatory and hemostatic properties. This species was prominently featured in the 2020 Edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and was formulated into several medicinal preparations. Through metabolomics, 19 differential compounds were identified or inferred, including 10 active compounds from network pharmacology. The study also utilized three mass spectrometry modes, where the DDA mode identified or inferred information on 54 compounds and the Full MS mode identified or inferred 74 compounds. Within the Full MS mode, 20 compounds were previously unreported in Callicarpa.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- inflammation
- liver injury
- kidney injury
- pain
- fever
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is utilized to create medicinal preparations including a 95% ethanol extract, Callicarpa macrophyllla leaves essential oil, and compounds derived from calliterpenone. The 95% ethanol extract serves as a concentrated liquid form used to isolate bioactive constituents for therapeutic application. Researchers also focus on the essential oil distilled from the leaves to study its volatile aromatic properties. A significant chemical component of interest within these preparations is calliterpenone, which is studied for its potential pharmacological effects. These diverse methods allow for the targeted extraction of specific phytochemicals found within the species.
According to a study published by "World journal of microbiology & biotechnology", calliterpenone is a natural plant growth promoter derived from the shrub Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl. In laboratory experiments, 25 μl of 0.01 mM calliterpenone, which is equivalent to 8.0 μg/100 ml, was found to improve the population of nine out of 15 identified PGPRs in culture media. This natural promoter from Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl was tested for its ability to enhance growth and yield when used in combination with specific microbial strains. The research suggests that using this natural promoter along with PGPRs offers possibilities for sustainable and organic agriculture.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 95% ethanol extract
- Callicarpa macrophyllla leaves essential oil
- calliterpenone
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can produce physiological responses ranging from analgesic activity to the potential for hemorrhage and inflammation. While its chemical constituents may offer pain-relieving properties, these same compounds can trigger an inflammatory response in certain tissues. Excessive consumption or improper use of its extracts may lead to an increased risk of internal hemorrhage. Therefore, the medicinal benefits of Callicarpa macrophylla must be carefully weighed against these systemic health risks. Detailed toxicological studies are necessary to fully understand how these effects manifest in human subjects.
According to a study published by "Medicines (Basel, Switzerland)", Callicarpa macrophylla is a medicinal shrub traditionally used in India, China, and South Asia. Essential oils from the plant contain 51 compounds in leaves, 53 in premature seeds and fruits, and 40 in mature seeds and fruits. These oils exhibit good in vitro antioxidant activity, with CMEO-II showing maximum activity through IC50 values of 7.37 ± 0.11, 11.49 ± 0.87, 14.59 ± 0.18, 15.66 ± 0.03, and 17.49 ± 0.13 µl/mL. The oils were found to exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activity on swiss albino mice. Major compounds include β-selinene, which is found at 37.51% in CMLEO, 44.66% in CMEO-I, and 57.01% in CMEO-II.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- analgesic activity
- hemorrhage
- inflammation
What herbs are paired with Callicarpa macrophylla?
This plant pairs effectively with aromatic herbs like mint, rosemary, and lavender to enhance its visual and structural presence in a garden.
The silvery-green foliage of Callicarpa macrophylla provides a muted backdrop that allows the vibrant colors of flowering herbs to stand out. Pairing it with rosemary creates a wonderful contrast between its soft leaves and the rigid, needle-like texture of the Mediterranean herb. Mint can be used at the base of the shrub to fill empty spaces with a low-growing, spreading texture.
These combinations also serve practical purposes by utilizing the diverse scents of the herbs to deter certain garden pests.