Cicer arietinum
Bengal gram
Cicer arietinum, commonly known as the chickpea or garbanzo bean, is a versatile legume prized globally. Beyond its nutritional density, it possesses significant medicinal properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. Traditionally used to support digestive health and manage blood sugar, it remains a vital functional food.
- Scientific name: Cicer arietinum
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Cicer.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cicer | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Cicer arietinum, is recognized by various names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is called 鹰嘴豆, while in Basque, it is referred to as garbantzu. The Polish common name is ciecierzycą pospolitą, and in Spanish, it is known as Cícer arietinum. Additionally, in Tamil, this medicinal legume is called கொண்டைக் கடலை.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 鹰嘴豆 | Wikidata |
| eu | garbantzu | Wikidata |
| pl | ciecierzyca pospolita | Wikidata |
| es | Cícer arietinum | Wikidata |
| ta | கொண்டைக் கடலை | Wikidata |
| ceb | Garbanso | Wikidata |
| ms | Kacang kuda | Wikidata |
| hu | csicseriborsó | Wikidata |
| bn | ছোলা | Wikidata |
| sq | Qiqra | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, it can be found growing in Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is also present in Austria. Its range further extends through the Czech-Slovakia region. Finally, the plant is documented to inhabit parts of Germany.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Eastern Europe | Belarus | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cicer arietinum, commonly known as the chickpea, utilizes various morphological structures that contribute to its biological development and potential medicinal value. The most prominent part is the seeds, which serve as the primary storage organ for nutrients and are the part most frequently consumed and studied for their nutritional properties. Within each seed, the seed embryonic axes act as the critical structural foundation, containing the fundamental tissues that will eventually differentiate into the root and shoot systems during germination. Additionally, the leaves function as the primary site for photosynthesis, capturing solar energy to drive the plant's growth and the synthesis of various bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed embryonic axes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cicer arietinum has 134 reported phytochemicals identified across 174 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Biochanin A, methionine, starch, arginine, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 134
- Scientific sources
- 174
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Biochanin A | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| methionine | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| starch | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arginine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lysine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| maltose | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| CI | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isoflavones | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cicer arietinum has 10 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Abortifacient, Allergenic, Analgesic, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antithrombotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Teratogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cicer arietinum has 28 reported medicinal uses identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, anaphylaxis, breast cancer, hypercholesterolemia, Bronchial asthma.
- Total uses
- 28
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anaphylaxis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypercholesterolemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bronchial asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida parapsilosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida tropicalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lung Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abiotic stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergic reactions | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |