Calophyllum inophyllum
Calophyllum inophyllum, commonly known as Tamanu or Alexandrian Laurel, is a versatile evergreen tree native to tropical coastal regions. Renowned for its medicinal properties, its oil is highly valued in traditional skincare for its potent healing, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative capabilities, making it a cornerstone of natural dermatological remedies.
- Scientific name: Calophyllum inophyllum
- Family: Calophyllaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malpighiales, it is positioned in the family Calophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Calophyllum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Calophyllaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Calophyllum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern primarily concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in Gambia, Guinea, and Ivory Coast. The species also extends into the West-Central Tropical Africa zone. Within this central region, it can be found growing in Cameroon and Congo. Consequently, its geographical range spans across several diverse nations within the western and central tropical belts.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
Chemicals
Calophyllum inophyllum has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include amentoflavone, calophyllic acid, calophyllolide, isocalophyllic acid, 2-hydroxyxanthone.
- Total chemicals
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| amentoflavone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calophyllic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| calophyllolide | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isocalophyllic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-hydroxyxanthone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-hydroxyxanthone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-phenylcoumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-deoxyjacareubin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Calophyllolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Calophyllum inophyllum has 4 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Antiproliferative.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Calophyllum inophyllum has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, wound healing, EBV, breast cancer, burns.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| EBV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| burns | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dermatoses | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hair | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |