Clinacanthus nutans
Clinacanthus nutans, commonly known as the nodding clinacanthus, is a rare medicinal plant valued for its unique therapeutic properties. Found in specific ecological niches, this botanical species offers significant potential in traditional healing practices. Understanding its bioactive compounds is essential for exploring its medicinal applications and contributing to modern pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Clinacanthus nutans
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Lamiales and the family Acanthaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is defined by the genus Clinacanthus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Acanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Clinacanthus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Clinacanthus nutans, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Malayalam, it is called വിഷപ്പച്ച (viṣappacca), while in Chinese, it is known as 鳄嘴花 (èzuǐhuā). In Thailand, the plant is called ลิ้นงูเห่า (lin ngū hao), and in both Javanese and Indonesian, it is commonly known as Dandang gendis.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | വിഷപ്പച്ച | Wikidata |
| zh | 鳄嘴花 | Wikidata |
| th | ลิ้นงูเห่า | Wikidata |
| jv | Dandang gendis | Wikidata |
| id | Dandang gendis | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 鳄嘴花 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 鱷咀花 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 鳄嘴花 | Wikidata |
| ms | Belalai gajah (pokok) | Wikidata |
| zh | 扭序花 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central provinces as well as the Southeast. Additionally, its presence is noted on the tropical island of Hainan. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is widely distributed within India. Finally, its range extends across the borders into Bangladesh.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Clinacanthus nutans, is utilized in various traditional remedies through several of its different components. The medicinal properties are often derived from the lush green leaves, where a single leaf can be used for topical applications or infusions. In some preparation methods, a specific water leaf extract is prepared to harness its healing potential. Beyond the foliage, the root serves as a vital part of the plant's medicinal structure, and even the powdered bark is collected and processed for its therapeutic benefits.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 15
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| water leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| powdered bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial part | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf Extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Clinacanthus nutans has 36 reported phytochemicals identified across 54 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, schaftoside, stigmasterol, triterpenoids, 1-linolenoylglycerol.
- Total chemicals
- 36
- Scientific sources
- 54
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| schaftoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stigmasterol | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 1-linolenoylglycerol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-monopalmitin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cerebrosides | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heptadecanoic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lupeol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| palmitic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Clinacanthus nutans has 15 reported activities identified across 31 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, Antimicrobial, Anticancer, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 31
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antiviral | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Clinacanthus nutans has 39 reported medicinal uses identified across 58 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, viral infections, antiviral, breast cancer, diabetes mellitus.
- Total uses
- 39
- Scientific sources
- 58
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| viral infections | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gout | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herpes simplex virus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infarction | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |