Cibotium barometz
What's the taxonomical classification of Cibotium barometz?
Cibotium barometz belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Polypodiinae, it falls under the order Cyatheales. Further taxonomic refinement places this plant in the family Cyatheaceae, within the genus Cibotium, and it is specifically identified by the species name barometz.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Polypodiinae |
| Order | Cyatheales |
| Family | Cyatheaceae |
| Genus | Cibotium |
| Species | barometz |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Cibotium barometz has a rhizomatous structure consisting of a thick, fleshy underground stem that produces large, pinnately compound leaves and delicate, pendulous flowers. The plant features long-petioled fronds that can reach significant lengths, displaying a lush, green appearance typical of tropical ferns. Its unique reproductive structures emerge from the rhizome and are often characterized by a distinctive, somewhat fleshy texture. The root system is well-developed to support the substantial weight and spread of its foliage in moist habitats. This morphology allows the plant to effectively colonize the forest floor through its spreading rhizomatous growth.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the subtropical and tropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically spanning across parts of China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. It typically thrives in moist, shaded environments such as forest floors and damp ravines where humidity is consistently high. The species is most commonly found growing in the understory of evergreen broadleaf forests. Its distribution is closely tied to specific soil conditions and stable microclimates found in these dense woodland areas. Due to its specialized habitat requirements, it remains localized to these particular ecological niches within its range.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Cibotium barometz, requires cultivation in consistently waterlogged, acidic, and nutrient-rich swampy environments to mimic its natural habitat in Southeast Asian wetlands.
Growers must maintain high humidity levels and provide filtered sunlight to prevent the delicate foliage from scorching. The rhizomes should be planted in a substrate consisting of organic peat and sand to ensure adequate drainage while retaining moisture. Proper care involves monitoring water acidity levels to prevent rot in the underground structures.
Successful cultivation is often challenging due to the species' specific sensitivity to environmental fluctuations.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Cibotium barometz is primarily valued for its medicinal properties derived from its specialized hairs that grow on the rhizome. These fine, hair-like structures are known as catgut and are traditionally used in various cultures to treat ailments such as inflammation or fever. While the rhizome serves as the central medicinal component, other parts of the plant like the leaf and the spores do not hold significant therapeutic value. The reproductive structures, including the antheridia, are also not typically utilized for healing purposes. Consequently, medical application focuses almost exclusively on the unique secretions found within the rhizome's hair-like filaments.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", the rhizome is the primary medicinal part of Cibotium barometz. This herb is used for treating musculoskeletal and age-related conditions. Researchers identified a total of 761 secondary metabolites, with phenolic acids and flavonoids accounting for over 50% of this amount. The study compared rhizomes across 3 developmental stages: juvenile (YDS), intermediate (MDS), and mature (MS). Quantitative analysis confirmed that the MS rhizome exhibited significant enrichment of numerous flavonoids compared to YDS or MDS.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- rhizome
- spores
- hairs
- leaf
- antheridia
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as civet, is a secretion from the civet cat used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat ailments like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and various types of tumors. Historically, the musk-like substance was harvested from the scent glands of the animal to serve as a powerful medicinal agent. In ancient practices, it was often combined with other herbs to promote blood circulation and regulate menstruation. Beyond its role in healing, the substance has been utilized in various cultures as a base for expensive perfumes and incense. These traditional applications highlight its long-standing importance in both pharmacological and aromatic histories.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", RW-Cb is the first processed product of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. (Dicksoniaceae) in TCM. This processed product has been widely used to treat osteoporosis, which is a major worldwide health problem. Research on RW-Cb, a processed product of Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. (Dicksoniaceae), shows it contributes the most to osteoblast proliferation and AKP activity among all groups. The proliferation effect of P-acid and P-aldehyde followed a pattern of high, middle, and low groups with a significance of P<0.001. Regarding AKP activity, the P-acid's high group was higher than P-aldehyde's high, and the rest of the groups' results were similar to osteoblasts' proliferation with a significance of P<0.05.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Cibotium barometz?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antiulcer pharmacological activities. Its bioactive compounds work to neutralize free radicals, which provides significant antioxidant protection for cells. The plant also exhibits potent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that allow it to combat various pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, its ability to suppress inflammatory responses helps reduce swelling and pain in biological tissues. These combined effects also contribute to its demonstrated antiulcer potential by protecting the gastrointestinal lining.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm. (Dicksoniaceae) has been traditionally used as anti-inflammaforatory and anodyne. The rhizomes of Cibotium barometz contain three unusual sesquiterpenes having a 1-indanone nucleus labeled 1, 3 and 4, alongside an unusual orthoester spiropyranosyl derivative of protocatechuic acid labeled 2. The permeation rates of 1, 3 and 4 increased linearly as a function of time up to 180 min within the concentration test range of 25-200 microM. Compound 1 is assigned for a well-absorbed constituent, while 2 and 3 are assigned for the poorly absorbed compounds in the human intestine. The permeability of 1 was identical with propranolol, whereas the P(app) values of 3 and 4 were in agreement with atenolol.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-osteoporosis
- antioxidant
- antiulcer
- gastroprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse array of bioactive medicinal compounds including alkaloids, anthraquinones, saponins, tannins, and triterpenoids. These specific chemical constituents are responsible for the plant's complex pharmacological properties. The presence of alkaloids often contributes to potent physiological effects on the nervous system. Meanwhile, the anthraquinones and tannins provide significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Additionally, the saponins and triterpenoids play critical roles in modulating various biological functions and immune responses.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Cibotium barometz contains a total of 761 secondary metabolites, with phenolic acids and flavonoids accounting for over 50% of these compounds. The medicinal rhizome shows stage-specific shifts where phenolic acids are most enriched in the juvenile YDS stage, alkaloids in the intermediate MDS stage, and flavonoids in the mature MS stage. Quantitative analysis confirmed that the MS rhizome exhibits a significant enrichment of numerous flavonoids compared to the YDS or MDS stages. High-abundance flavonoids identified in the plant include (-)-epicatechin, apigenin-7-glucoside, naringenin-7-glucoside, vitexin, apigenin, (-)-catechin, eriodictyol, and naringenin chalcone. These findings clarify the metabolic profile across the juvenile, intermediate, and mature developmental stages of the herb.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- alkaloids
- anthraquinones
- flavonoids
- saponins
- tannins
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating gastric hemorrhagic abrasions, gastric ulcers, various intestinal diseases, inflammation, and inflammatory diseases. It is traditionally valued for its ability to stop bleeding within the digestive tract. The botanical properties help soothe the lining of the stomach to promote healing. Additionally, its medicinal effects are applied to reduce swelling and manage chronic digestive discomfort. By targeting internal irritations, it serves as a remedy for complex gastrointestinal issues.
According to a study published by "Drug design, development and therapy", Cibotium barometz is a pharmaceutical plant customarily used in traditional medicine in Malaysia for the treatment of different diseases, such as gastric ulcer. The gastroprotective effect of the leaves was evaluated against ethanol-induced gastric hemorrhagic abrasions in seven groups of rats. These groups included a normal control, an ulcerated control, omeprazole at 20 mg/kg, and doses of Cibotium barometz at 62.5, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg. The plant extract demonstrated a significant decrease in the ulcer area in a dose-dependent manner compared to the ulcerated group. Histology showed a reduction in submucosal edema and leucocyte infiltration, alongside heat shock protein 70 protein up-expression and BCL2-associated X protein down-expression.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- gastric hemorrhagic abrasions
- gastric ulcer
- intestinal diseases
- inflammation
- inflammatory diseases
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Cibotium barometz, a species used to create diverse medicinal preparations including Cibotium barometz extract, GCSB-5, RW-Cb, cibotii rhizoma, and leaf extracts. Researchers and traditional practitioners utilize these different forms to study the biological activities inherent in the plant's chemical constituents. The rhizome, known as cibotii rhizoma, serves as a primary source for many of these concentrated medicinal substances. Specific standardized formulations like GCSB-5 and RW-Cb represent refined versions of the plant's therapeutic properties. Additionally, the use of leaf extracts provides an alternative method for accessing the plant's phytochemical profile.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Cibotium barometz extract (CBE) was tested on seventy-two 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats to investigate its effects on osteoporosis. The research utilized graded doses of CBE at 100, 300, or 500 mg/kg/day for daily oral administration. This treatment, which began 4 weeks after surgery and lasted for 16 weeks, prevented total BMD decrease in the femur. CBE caused a significant decrease in bone turnover markers including osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), deoxypyridinoline (DPD), and urinary Ca and P excretions. Ultimately, the study indicated that Cibotium barometz extract might be a potential alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Cibotium barometz extract
- GCSB-5
- RW-Cb
- cibotii rhizoma
- leaf extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause significant health risks including severe hormonal influences, gastrointestinal distress, and potential toxicity to the reproductive system. The bioactive compounds within the plant can interfere with the endocrine system, leading to irregular cycles or hormonal imbalances. Consuming the plant may also trigger intense nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain in sensitive individuals. Because its chemical composition is not fully understood by modern medicine, long-term ingestion poses unpredictable dangers to metabolic stability. Therefore, its use is often cautioned against due to these multifaceted physiological risks.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Cibotium barometz was one of 23 traditionally used organisms screened from a total of 186 fractions. The investigation focused on the hormonal and cytotoxic activity of plant extracts using 2 well characterized prostate cancer cell lines, LNCaP and PC-3. Fractions from Cibotium barometz exhibited hormonal influences on these prostate cancer cells. This multiple readout assay allows for the discrimination of potential androgenic or antiandrogenic activities. The study utilized these findings to assess the biological activities of materials used in traditional medicine.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- hormonal influences
What herbs are paired with Cibotium barometz?
This plant, commonly known as musk tuber, is traditionally paired with warming herbs like cinnamon, ginger, and dried tangerine peel to enhance its medicinal properties.
These combinations are primarily designed to tonify the kidneys and strengthen the yang energy within the body. Practitioners often include ginseng or astragalus in these formulas to boost vital qi alongside the tuber's potency. The addition of licorice root is also frequent to harmonize the various ingredients and mitigate potential side effects.
Such specific pairings aim to balance the intense warming nature of the musk tuber for therapeutic efficacy.