Combretum sundaicum
Combretum sundaicum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (2 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Combretum sundaicum is a botanical species that has garnered significant scientific interest due to its diverse chemical profile. Recent pharmacological investigations have focused on the biological potential of its various components, specifically the leaves and flowers. By utilizing ethyl acetate extracts, researchers can effectively isolate bioactive compounds from these specific plant parts. These studies have primarily aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic activities of the plant to determine its potential in cancer research. Consequently, understanding the medicinal properties of Combretum sundaicum remains a vital area of phytotherapeutic exploration.
- Synonyms
- Combretum Oliviforme · Combretum Oliviforme Var. Yaxianense
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Combretaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Flower · Leaf
Classification
Common Names
Combretum sundaicum is a unique botanical specimen known colloquially by the common name 榄形风车子. This plant is distinguished by its striking structural features that lend themselves to its descriptive local title. As a member of the Combretaceae family, it plays a specific role within its native ecological niche. Understanding its identity through these traditional naming conventions helps enthusiasts connect more deeply with its natural history. Exploring such specific nomenclature provides valuable insight into how local cultures categorize and appreciate diverse flora.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Combretum sundaicum is a botanical species that is closely linked to several taxonomic synonyms. Scientific records indicate that this plant is also recognized by the name Combretum oliviforme. Furthermore, the classification extends to include the specific variety Combretum oliviforme var. yaxianense. Understanding these overlapping names is essential for researchers tracking the plant's true identity. These relationships highlight the complex nomenclature often found within the study of diverse flora.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Combretum sundaicum is a fascinating specimen that belongs to the expansive kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological realm, the plant is specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further falls into the order Myrtales, a group that shares distinct botanical characteristics. The species is a member of the Combretaceae family, which highlights its evolutionary lineage. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Combretum.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Family | Combretaceae |
| Genus | Combretum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Combretum sundaicum exhibits a diverse geographical range that spans across various regions of Asia. In temperate zones, the species is widely distributed throughout China, including its South-Central and Southeast territories as well as the island of Hainan. Moving into tropical climates, the plant can also be found across the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within the Assam region. Its presence extends further into the Indo-China area, with notable populations located in Myanmar. This widespread distribution highlights the plant's ability to adapt to both temperate and tropical environments.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Combretum sundaicum is characterized by a distinctive shrub growth form. This species possesses an obligatory climbing habit, allowing it to scale surrounding structures for support. While its typical stature is modest, it can reach a height of up to 3 meters under certain conditions. However, in some environments, the plant is capable of achieving a maximum height of 30 meters.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Combretum sundaicum has demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity through the presence of specific bioactive compounds. During systematic in vitro evaluations of Vietnamese plant extracts, researchers identified various pentacyclic triterpenoids within the leaves and flowers of this species. These isolated compounds were specifically tested for their ability to inhibit the interaction between the Bcl-xL/BakBH3 domain peptides. The study revealed that several triterpenoids possess potent binding activity, with K(i) values ranging between 5.3 and 17.8 microM. Ultimately, the evaluation of these fifteen compounds confirmed their cytotoxic potential across various cancer cell lines.
Compounds
Combretum sundaicum contains 3beta-Hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, a compound that shares structural similarities with triterpenoids found in related species. In studies of the genus, specifically regarding Combretum oliviforme, this particular pentacyclic triterpenoid has been isolated from leaf extracts. Research indicates that such compounds can exhibit significant cytotoxic activity against various human cancer cell lines, including lung and gastric varieties. The presence of specific functional groups, such as acetyl groups in the aglycone structure, appears to be essential for enhancing this biological potency. Understanding these chemical relationships provides valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of the Combretum genus.
Conditions
Combretum sundaicum possesses pentacyclic triterpenoids that serve as inhibitors of the Bcl-xL/Bak association. These bioactive compounds demonstrate significant cytotoxic activity against several different cancer models. Specifically, the plant has been shown to treat the human erythroleukaemic line K562. Furthermore, its extracts exhibit therapeutic potential against the human gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells. The plant also shows effectiveness in treating the human lung cancer cell line SPC-A-1.
Preparations
Combretum sundaicum is prepared as ethyl acetate extracts to facilitate the discovery of potent inhibitors against the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL. These specific extracts are obtained from the leaves and flowers of the plant for systematic in vitro evaluation. Researchers selected these ethyl acetate preparations to study their potential interaction with the Bcl-xL/Bak association. Through bioassay-guided purification of these extracts, multiple pentacyclic triterpenoids were successfully isolated. This methodical preparation process ultimately allowed for the identification of compounds with significant binding activity and cytotoxic properties.
Parts used
Combretum sundaicum is a Vietnamese plant that has been studied for its potential to provide potent inhibitors of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-xL. Researchers conducted a systematic in vitro evaluation using ethyl acetate extracts derived from specific botanical components of this species. Specifically, the study utilized extracts obtained from both the leaf and the flower of the plant to investigate their chemical properties. Through bioassay-guided purification, scientists successfully isolated fifteen pentacyclic triterpenoids from these plant parts. These findings highlight the importance of exploring various parts of Combretum sundaicum to discover new compounds with cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines.