Clausena excavata
What's the taxonomical classification of Clausena excavata?
Clausena excavata belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, this plant is organized under the order Sapindaales. It is a member of the family Rutaceae and is specifically identified within the genus Clausena, ultimately reaching its taxonomic designation at the species level as Clausena excavata.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Genus | Clausena |
| Species | excavata |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Clausena excavata has small, opposite, elliptic to obovate leaves that feature distinctly concave or excavated surfaces on their upper side. The leaf margins are typically entire and the texture can vary from slightly fleshy to thin. The plant exhibits a woody structure characteristic of small shrubs or subshrubs within its genus. Its flowers are minute and arranged in inconspicuous clusters, while the fruit develops into small, fleshy drupes. This specific morphological trait of concave leaf blades serves as a primary diagnostic feature for distinguishing the species.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically found throughout Thailand, Vietnam, and parts of Malaysia. It thrives primarily in moist, lowland forest environments where humidity remains consistently high. Within these habitats, the species is often distributed across various elevations ranging from sea level to mid-elevation tropical zones. Its presence is closely tied to the availability of shaded areas and seasonal monsoon patterns common to these latitudes. Localized populations may also appear in fragmented forest patches across the Indochinese Peninsula.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Clausena excavata is cultivated in tropical or subtropical environments requiring well-draining soil, consistent humidity, and bright, indirect sunlight.
Growers must maintain a warm temperature range to prevent stunted growth or leaf drop. Watering should be frequent enough to keep the substrate moist but never saturated to avoid root rot. Providing organic mulch helps regulate soil moisture and provides necessary nutrients for development.
Careful monitoring for pests is essential for maintaining a healthy specimen in a controlled setting.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Clausena excavata utilizes its leaves and stems for various medicinal purposes in traditional healing practices. The leaves are frequently prepared as decoctions or poultices to treat skin ailments and inflammatory conditions. Similarly, the stem can be processed to extract bioactive compounds used in treating internal infections. These specific plant parts contain essential phytochemicals that contribute to their therapeutic effects. Practitioners often rely on these components to address a wide range of localized and systemic health issues.
According to a study published by "Data in brief", Clausena excavata Burm. f. is a medicinal tree plant native to Southeast Asia and China. While phytochemical studies have used plant extracts from various parts of these plants, the provided text does not specify which particular herb parts of Clausena excavata are used medicinally. The research focuses on producing the first de novo transcriptome data for this genus using a pair-end Illumina HiSeq2500 sequencing system. This process involved transcriptome shotgun assembly using 3 different assembly tools. The resulting data generated a total of 16,638 non-redundant contigs with an N50 of 900 bp for Clausena excavata. These data are accessible at NCBI BioProject: PRJNA428402.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Clauseuna excavata has been utilized within Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to treat various ailments related to the digestive and respiratory systems. Practitioners historically prepared the plant in forms such as decoctions or powders to address conditions like inflammation and stomach discomfort. In some regional folk practices, the herb was also employed to help manage fever and promote overall vitality. These historical applications relied on the plant's perceived ability to balance internal energies and clear heat from the body. Today, researchers continue to study these ancient uses to better understand the plant's chemical properties.
According to a study published by "Phytochemistry", 5 new carbazole alkaloids, named clausines B, E, H, I and K, were isolated from the stem bark of Clausena excavata along with 22 known compounds. These isolated compounds demonstrated significant inhibition of rabbit platelet aggregation and caused vasoconstriction. The crude methanol extract, partitioned layers, and chromatographic fractions of Clausena excavata contained both promotive and inhibitive constituents simultaneously. Such results may explain the philosophy of use in Chinese medicine where variations in dose and content within a prescription produce different promotive or inhibitive effects on therapy.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Clausena excavata?
This plant has anti-HBV, anti-infective, anti-malarial, antimicrobial, and antiplasmodial pharmacological activities. These diverse biological properties suggest that Clauseuna excavata serves as a potent source of bioactive compounds for treating various diseases. Its antimicrobial and anti-infective capabilities allow it to combat a wide range of harmful pathogens. Furthermore, the specific anti-malarial and antiplasmodial actions make it a significant subject for research into parasitic infections. These combined medicinal effects highlight the plant's substantial therapeutic potential in modern pharmacology.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry", the medicinal plant Clausena excavata yielded four natural pyranocoumarins named clausenidin (1), nordentatin (2), clausarin (3), and xanthoxyletin (4). The compounds clausenidin (1) and nordentatin (2) suppressed hepatitis B virus surface antigen in HepA2 cells. Furthermore, compounds 1, 2, and 3 showed cytotoxic activity against 4 human cancer cell lines, which are A549, MCF7, KB, and KB-VIN. Among 17 synthesized pyranocoumarin analogues, compounds 5 and 10 were the most potent against hepatitis B virus with EC50 values of 1.14 and 1.34 microM, respectively. Compounds 1, 5, and 6 showed significant activity against the 1 multi-drug resistant cell line, KB-VIN, while showing no activity against the KB cell line.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-infective
- antimicrobial
- anti-malarial
- antiplasmodial
- cytotoxic
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several unique medicinal compounds including clausaursin, clausenalansine E, clausenidin, clauseusine E, and clauseusine H. These specific chemical constituents are primarily categorized as specialized alkaloids found within the species. Researchers study these substances to understand their potential pharmacological activities and biological properties. The presence of these distinct molecules contributes to the overall therapeutic profile of the plant. Further investigation into these compounds may reveal new applications for modern medicine.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", nineteen compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of Clausena excavata. These identified compounds include methyl orsellinate(1), syringaresinol(2), lenisin A(3), scopoletin(4), osthenol(5), N-benzoyltyrarnine methyl ether(6), N-p-coumaroyltyramine(7), aurantiamide acetate(8), 1H-indole-3-carboxaldehyde(9), furostifoline(10), clausenalansine E(11), 3-formylcarbazole(12), clausine L(13), clausine E(14), methyl carbazole-3-carboxylate(15), glycosinin(16), murrayafoline A(17), clausine H(18) and 2,7-dihydroxy-3-formyl-1-(3'-methyl-2'-butenyl)carbazole(19). Compounds 1-11 were isolated from Clausena excavata for the first time, while compounds 1, 2 and 10 were isolated from the genus Clausena for the first time. Compounds 10-19 demonstrated anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities by inhibiting the proliferation of MH7 A synovial fibroblast cells. These inhibitory effects were measured with IC50 values ranging from (27.63±0.18) to (235.67±2.16) μmol·L-1.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- clausarin
- clausenalansine E
- clausenidin
- clausine E
- clausine H
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating bacterial infections, cancer, the hepatitis B virus, malaria, and multi-drug resistant cancer. Research indicates that its bioactive compounds possess significant antimicrobial properties effective against various pathogens. Specialized phytochemicals found within the plant are also being studied for their ability to inhibit the growth of malignant tumor cells. Furthermore, its potential to combat the hepatitis B virus and malaria makes it a subject of intense pharmacological interest. Most notably, scientists are investigating its efficacy in addressing the growing challenge of multi-drug resistant cancer strains.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Clausena excavata was identified as one of the species showing significant antimicrobial activity. This plant was part of a screening involving 662 plant extracts from 222 plant species. The study demonstrated that Clausena excavata possesses anti-infective activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Such plants can yield methanolic extracts with zones of inhibition greater than or equal to 12 mm. Furthermore, selected plants in this study exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration less than or equal to 1 mg/mL.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- bacterial infections
- cancer
- multi-drug resistant cancer
- platelet aggregation
- rheumatoid arthritis
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Clauseuna excavata, a medicinal herb frequently processed into a 90% ethanol extract to isolate its potent bioactive compounds. This specific concentration of alcohol is used to ensure the efficient extraction of alkaloids and flavonoids from the plant material. Once prepared, the extract is often utilized in traditional medicine to address various inflammatory conditions and infections. Researchers study these ethanol-based preparations to understand their pharmacological potential and safety profiles. The resulting liquid serves as a concentrated form of the plant's therapeutic properties for topical or systemic applications.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 90% ethanol extract
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause significant physiological changes such as the inhibition of platelet aggregation and systemic vasoconstriction. These effects can interfere with the body's natural ability to form blood clots during injury. Furthermore, the narrowing of blood vessels may lead to increased blood pressure or reduced circulation to specific organs. Such cardiovascular reactions necessitate cautious monitoring when interacting with medicinal substances. Understanding these biochemical properties is essential for assessing the overall safety profile of the species.
According to a study published by "Phytochemistry", 5 new carbazole alkaloids, known as clausines B, E, H, I and K, were isolated from the stem bark of Clausena excavata along with 22 known compounds. These specific compounds demonstrated significant inhibition of rabbit platelet aggregation and caused vasoconstriction. The crude methanol extract, partitioned layers, and chromatographic fractions contained both promotive and inhibitive constituents simultaneously. This dual nature explains why different doses or content variations in a prescription can produce either promotive or inhibitive effects on therapy.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- inhibition of platelet aggregation
- vasoconstriction
What herbs are paired with Clausena excavata?
This plant Clauseuna excavata pairs most effectively with ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon to enhance its warming therapeutic properties.
These aromatic roots and spices work synergistically to improve the bioavailability of the plant's active compounds during decoction. Combining them helps balance the bitter notes of the herb while supporting digestive and circulatory health. Practitioners often use these specific combinations in traditional herbal formulations to create a more robust tonic.
Using these complementary ingredients allows for a more nuanced approach to holistic wellness.