Clerodendranthus spicatus
What's the taxonomical classification of Clerodendranthus spicatus?
Clerodendranthus spicatus belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales. Furthermore, it is situated within the family Lamiaceae, specifically categorized under the genus Clerodendranthus, with its unique designation as the species spicatus.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Genus | Clerodendranthus |
| Species | spicatus |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Clerodendrantus spicatus has woody, perennial stems with simple, opposite leaves that are elliptical to oblong in shape and possess entire margins. The foliage is characterized by a smooth texture and prominent pinnate venation on the undersides. Small, tubular white flowers are arranged in dense, terminal panicles that extend from the branch tips. These inflorescences are supported by slender pedicels and produce small, fleshy berries upon maturation. The overall structure of the plant reflects a shrubby growth habit common to many members of the Verbenaceae family.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical regions of West Africa, specifically spanning across countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon. It typically thrives in moist lowland forests and coastal vegetation zones where humidity remains high throughout the year. The species is often found growing in shaded understory environments or along riverbanks within these equatorial ecosystems. Its distribution is closely tied to the specific climatic patterns of the Guineo-Congolian rainforest belt. Localized populations may also occur in disturbed forest edges where sunlight and moisture levels are optimal for growth.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-draining, loamy soil and consistent moisture levels to thrive in tropical or subtropical environments with temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
It performs best when positioned in full sun to partial shade to encourage dense foliage and vigorous flowering. Regular application of organic compost or a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season promotes healthy development. Pruning should be done periodically to maintain its shape and stimulate new growth.
Mulching around the base helps retain essential soil moisture and regulates temperature during warmer months.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Clerodendrantus spicatus utilizes its leaves, roots, stems, and branches for various medicinal purposes. The leaves are frequently processed into decoctions or poultices to treat skin infections and inflammatory conditions. Medicinal preparations often incorporate the roots to address internal ailments such as digestive issues or fever. Both the stems and the branches are harvested to create extracts used in traditional healing practices for their therapeutic properties. These different components work together to provide a diverse range of pharmacological benefits.
According to a study published by "Molecular biology reports", Clerodendranthus spicatus is used as a medicinal plant for preventing and treating kidney diseases. Total genomic DNA used in the study was isolated from dried leaves of the plant. The complete chloroplast genome of C. spicatus was 152,155 bp in size. This genome includes a large single-copy region of 83,098 bp, a small single-copy region of 17,665 bp, and a pair of inverted repeat regions of 25,696 bp. These findings represent potential candidates for the development of drugs improving renal functions.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- root
- stem
- branch
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Clerodendrum spicatum, has been utilized in various traditional healing systems, most notably within Traditional Chinese Medicine, to treat various ailments. In these historical practices, practitioners often employed the plant to address inflammatory conditions and digestive issues. It is frequently used in herbal formulations to promote wound healing and manage respiratory discomfort. Beyond its role in Chinese medicine, local communities in other regions have historically used its leaves and roots for their perceived antimicrobial properties. These diverse traditional applications highlight the long-standing cultural importance of the species in herbal pharmacology.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in pharmacology", Clerodendranthus spicatus is an herbaceous perennial belonging to the family Lamiaceae. This herb is extensively employed in traditional Chinese medicine for the mitigation of nephritis, cystitis, kidney stones, urological tract stones, gout, and other urinary conditions. Numerous research studies have been conducted in the past to explore the traditional medicinal value and pharmacological effects associated with this plant. Clinical trials have confirmed its remarkable efficacy in treating urinary inflammation and stones. These findings have been summarized and analysed to offer a valuable reference for further comprehensive research and utilization of CS.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Clerodendranthus spicatus?
This plant has anti-hyperuricemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and renal protection pharmacological activities. Its antioxidant properties help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress within biological systems. The antibacterial effects allow the plant to combat various pathogenic microorganisms effectively. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory actions work to mitigate swelling and immune responses in damaged tissues. These combined mechanisms also contribute to renal protection by preserving kidney function and reducing systemic complications.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in pharmacology", Clerodendranthus spicatus is an herbaceous perennial belonging to the family Lamiaceae. This plant is extensively employed in traditional Chinese medicine to mitigate conditions such as nephritis, cystitis, kidney stones, urological tract stones, and gout. Phytochemical investigations show it predominantly contains flavonoids, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and volatile oil compounds. These components have demonstrated effectiveness in combating bacterial infections, reducing inflammation, providing antioxidant properties, managing hyperuricemia, and offering renal protection. Clinical trials have confirmed its efficacy in treating urinary inflammation and stones.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-hyperuricemic
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- antioxidant
- renal protection
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds cleroden A, cleroden B, cleroden C, cleroden D, and rosmarinic acid. These specific clerodane diterpenoids are primary bioactive constituents responsible for much of the species' biological activity. Rosmarinic acid further contributes to the plant's profile by providing significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers study these various chemical components to understand how they interact with human physiological systems. The unique combination of these diterpenes and phenolic acids makes the plant a subject of interest in pharmacological development.
According to a study published by "Fitoterapia", four new phenolic acids named clerodens A-D (1-4) were isolated from the whole plants of Clerodendranthus spicatus. These four compounds possess an unusual bicycle [2.2.2] octane moiety. All isolates were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activities on lipopolysaccharide (LPG)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW 264.7 cells. Among the isolates, compound 4 showed significant inhibitory activities. This specific activity was recorded with an IC50 value of 6.8 μM.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- cleroden A
- cleroden B
- cleroden C
- cleroden D
- rosmarinic acid
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for managing gout, hyperuricemia, kidney stones, cystitis, and dysuria. It acts as a natural remedy to help lower high levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. By addressing hyperuricemia, the plant can help prevent the painful buildup of crystals associated with gout. It also supports renal health by assisting in the management of kidney stones. Furthermore, its properties are utilized to alleviate symptoms of bladder inflammation such as cystitis and the painful urination known as dysuria.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in pharmacology", Clerodendrantus spicatus is extensively employed in traditional Chinese medicine for the mitigation of nephritis, cystitis, kidney stones, urological tract stones, gout, and other urinary conditions. Clinical trials have confirmed its remarkable efficacy in treating urinary inflammation and stones. The plant's components have demonstrated notable effectiveness in combating bacterial infections, reducing inflammation, providing antioxidant properties, managing hyperuricemia, and offering renal protection. Research investigations have focused on its phytochemical composition and pharmacological effects to support its use in the management of these specific ailments.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- gout
- hyperuricemia
- kidney stones
- urinary conditions
- urinary inflammation
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Clerodendrum spicatum, a medicinal herb frequently used to create various therapeutic preparations such as Kidney Tea. Practitioners often decoct the leaves to produce this specific tea to support urinary tract health and kidney function. Beyond tea, the plant can be processed into topical ointments or infusions to treat skin ailments and inflammation. These diverse preparations leverage the phytochemical properties inherent in the foliage and stems. Local traditional medicine relies heavily on these different forms to address a wide range of systemic ailments.
According to a study published by "Journal of agricultural and food chemistry", Clerodendranthus spicatus, known as kidney tea, is traditionally consumed to treat renal inflammation, dysuria, and gout. An ethyl acetate fraction of the plant was investigated, leading to the isolation of 32 compounds including 20 diterpenoids, 2 triterpenoids, 6 flavonoids, 2 lignanoids, and 2 phenolic acid derivatives. In cellular models of hyperuricemia, 12 compounds promoted uric acid excretion at 10 μg/mL, with compounds 3, 4, 5, and 21 performing better than benzbromarone. Additionally, compounds 4, 6, 7, 9, 14, 15, 23, 26, and 31 showed significant anti-gouty arthritis activity at a dose of 50 mg/kg. Compounds 4, 5, 7, 9, and 26 also exhibited significant inhibition of pain induced by acetic acid.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Kidney Tea
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can trigger severe metabolic and organ-specific health complications including dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, inflammation, insulin resistance, and kidney diseases. High doses or prolonged consumption may disrupt lipid profiles and lead to abnormal fat accumulation in the liver. Such metabolic disturbances often contribute to systemic inflammation and the development of insulin resistance. These internal physiological stresses can eventually progress to significant damage within the renal system. Consequently, these interconnected side effects pose a serious risk to overall metabolic stability.
According to a study published by "Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)", the ethyl acetate fraction of Clerodendranthus spicatus extract (EAF_CST) showed significant benefits against high-fat diet-induced metabolic disorders. In rats, the high-dose group of EAF_CST experienced a body weight reduction of 17% (p < 0.001 vs. HFD). Additionally, the treatment lowered serum TG by 40% in the high-dose group (p < 0.001 vs. HFD). These bioactive constituents helped alleviate obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. The core polymethoxylated flavones, including tetramethylscutelarein, trimethylapigenin, and eupatoriin-5-methylether, worked by directly binding to PPARα to promote fatty acid oxidation and suppress NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- dyslipidemia
- hepatic steatosis
- inflammation
- insulin resistance
- kidney diseases
What herbs are paired with Clerodendranthus spicatus?
This plant Clerodendrantus spicatus pairs most effectively with ginger, lemon balm, and peppermint to enhance its natural aromatic properties.
When combined with ginger, the spicy notes of the root complement the plant's subtle undertones for a warming infusion. Lemon balm offers a bright, citrusy contrast that lifts the heavier botanical scents during tea preparation. Adding peppermint introduces a cooling sensation that balances the overall flavor profile of the herbal blend.
These specific combinations are frequently used in traditional wellness practices to create cohesive and palatable medicinal mixtures.