Casearia grewiifolia
Casearia grewiifolia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Casearia grewiifolia is a botanical species recognized for its diverse pharmacological potential. Scientific investigations have focused on its leaves and fruits to identify bioactive compounds. Research has successfully isolated specific chemical constituents, including clerodane diterpenoids and esculentin B. Through the use of methanol, hexane, and dichloromethane extracts, these substances have demonstrated significant antimalarial activities. These findings highlight the plant's importance in the ongoing search for novel medicinal agents.
- Synonyms
- Samyda Grewiifolia
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Salicaceae
- Distribution
- Asia-Tropical
- Plant Parts
- Fruit · Leaf
Classification
Common Names
Casearia grewiifolia is a distinct botanical species commonly known by the Thai name กรวยป่า. This plant plays a vital role within its native ecosystem, providing structure and resources for local wildlife. Its unique characteristics make it a subject of interest for botanists studying regional biodiversity. Understanding its growth patterns helps researchers better appreciate the intricate web of life in its habitat. By recognizing the importance of such species, we can work more effectively toward preserving natural landscapes.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Casearia grewiifolia is a botanical species that is frequently encountered under a different scientific designation. In many historical records and taxonomic databases, this plant is listed by its synonym, Samyda grewiifolia. Understanding this nomenclatural link is essential for researchers tracking the plant's distribution and characteristics. Recognizing both names ensures that botanical data remains consistent across various scientific literatures. Consequently, identifying this relationship prevents confusion when studying the evolutionary history of the genus.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Casearia grewiifolia is a unique botanical specimen belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast kingdom, it is specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida. This plant is further organized into the order Malpighiales, showcasing its distinct evolutionary lineage. It serves as a representative of the genus Casearia, a group defined by specific biological characteristics. Finally, its taxonomic journey concludes within the family Salicaceae, placing it among its close botanical relatives.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Family | Salicaceae |
| Genus | Casearia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Casearia grewiifolia is a notable botanical species primarily distributed throughout the tropical regions of Asia. Its presence is widely documented across the Indo-China peninsula, spanning several diverse territories. Specifically, this plant can be found growing in the landscapes of Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand. Beyond the mainland, its reach extends to various island groups, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This broad geographic range highlights the plant's ability to thrive within these specific tropical ecosystems.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Casearia grewiifolia is a self-supporting tree characterized by its sturdy growth form. This species can reach a maximum height of 24 meters in its natural habitat. Its impressive stature makes it a notable presence within its ecological community.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Casearia grewiifolia has emerged as a significant subject of pharmacological interest due to the bioactive compounds found within its bark. Recent studies involving the fractionation of hexane and dichloromethane extracts have successfully isolated several clerodane diterpenoids. Among these findings, four new compounds named caseargrewiins A-D were identified and characterized through detailed NMR spectral analysis. Most notably, these chemical constituents exhibited promising antimalarial activity, suggesting potential for future medicinal applications. However, researchers also observed that these compounds demonstrate cytotoxicity against certain cancer cell lines, highlighting a complex biological profile.
Compounds
Casearia grewiifolia has been identified as a source of various bioactive compounds found within its fruits. During the bioactivity-guided fractionation of a methanol extract, researchers successfully isolated several new clerodane diterpenes. Among these chemical constituents, the study specifically identified the presence of the known diterpene esculentin B. These compounds, including the newly discovered caseargrewiins, demonstrated significant cytotoxic potential against multiple cancer cell lines. This relationship highlights the plant's importance in the ongoing search for novel therapeutic agents.
Conditions
Casearia grewiifolia demonstrates significant therapeutic potential through its ability to treat various cancer cell lines. Specifically, the plant contains compounds that treat HepG-2 human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells. It also shows effectiveness in treating KB mouth epidermal carcinoma cells. Furthermore, the plant is capable of treating LU-1 human lung adenocarcinoma cells and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. These diverse activities highlight the plant's broad cytotoxic impact against multiple malignant cell types.
Preparations
Casearia grewiifolia is prepared as hexane and dichloromethane extracts from its bark to facilitate the isolation of bioactive clerodane diterpenoids. These specific solvent extractions allow for the bioactivity-guided fractionation that yielded several new caseargrewiins. Additionally, Casearia grewiifolia is prepared as a methanol extract derived from its fruits. This methanol extraction process leads to an ethyl acetate-soluble fraction used to identify various cytotoxic compounds. Both extraction methods serve as essential steps in discovering the chemical properties of this plant species.
Parts used
Casearia grewiifolia is a plant species that serves as a rich source of bioactive clerodane diterpenoids. Research has demonstrated that the fruit of this plant contains several unique compounds, such as caseargrewiins E-L, which exhibit significant cytotoxicity against various cancer cell lines. Similarly, the leaves of Casearia grewiifolia have been found to yield important diterpenoids like caseanigrescen D. Studies on these leaf extracts reveal that certain isolated compounds can selectively inhibit cancer cells while sparing normal cells. Together, these findings highlight the medicinal potential found within different anatomical parts of the plant.