Cratoxylum cochinchinense
What's the taxonomical classification of Cratoxylum cochinchinense?
Cratoxylum cochinchinense belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is situated under the order Malpighiales. This specific plant is a representative of the family Hypericaceae, falling under the genus Cratoxylum, and is identified by the species name cochinchinense.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Family | Hypericaceae |
| Genus | Cratoxylum |
| Species | cochinchinense |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Cratoxylum cochinchinense has a woody structure characterized by an erect trunk, lanceolate to elliptic leaves with entire margins, and small, actinomorphic flowers arranged in terminal panicles. The leaves are typically alternate and possess a coriaceous texture with prominent pinnate venation. Its bark is often reddish or brownish, containing a distinctive sap that serves as a source for traditional dyes. The fruit is a capsule that eventually dehisces to release small, winged seeds. These morphological features collectively define its classification within the Celastraceae family.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically spanning across Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and parts of southern China. It is primarily found inhabiting moist, lowland evergreen forests and secondary forest environments. Within these habitats, the species thrives in areas with high humidity and consistent rainfall typical of equatorial climates. Its distribution is closely tied to specific ecological niches where the soil remains nutrient-rich and well-drained. Local populations are often concentrated in areas that maintain dense canopy cover.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, known as sappanwood, thrives in tropical environments with well-drained soil and requires consistent humidity to support its growth.
Cultivators typically plant it in areas receiving full sunlight to ensure the wood develops the necessary density and pigment. Regular watering is essential during the early stages of establishment, though the mature trees are relatively drought-tolerant once their root systems are deep. Providing organic matter through mulching helps maintain the soil fertility required for vigorous climbing or shrub development.
Careful pruning can manage its size and encourage the production of the bark used for natural dyes.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant utilizes the leaves, roots, and stems of Cratoxylum cochinchinense for various medicinal applications. The leaves are frequently harvested to prepare decoctions that treat skin conditions and internal inflammation. Medicinal preparations also involve the roots, which are often processed to address digestive issues or fever. The stem is utilized in traditional practices to extract compounds that serve specific healing purposes. Together, these different parts provide a versatile range of therapeutic benefits in local medicine.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", the stems and leaves of Cratoxylum cochinchinense were used to isolate 21 compounds via a 90% ethanol extract. These 21 isolated compounds, which include several xanthones, were appraised for anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities by measuring their anti-proliferative effect on MH7A synoviocytes in vitro. Among the isolates, xanthones 1-15 displayed notable anti-rheumatoid arthritis activities. These specific xanthones showed inhibitory effects on the proliferation of MH7A synoviocytes with IC50 values ranging from (8.98±0.12) to (228.68±0.32) μmol·L−1.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- root
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Cratoxylum cochinchinense, is historically valued for its red heartwood which serves as a primary source of natural red dye and has been utilized extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat various ailments. The heartwood contains high concentrations of tannins and pigments that were traditionally used to color textiles and leather in Southeast Asia. In medicinal practices, decoctions made from the bark or wood have been applied to address digestive issues and inflammatory conditions. Many indigenous cultures also integrated the plant into ritualistic practices due to its intense coloration. These historical uses highlight the plant's dual importance as both a practical industrial commodity and a medicinal resource.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in chemistry", the root of Cratoxylum cochinchinense has been widely used as Chinese folk medicine to cure fevers, burns, and abdominal complications. This use is attributed to the presence of bioactive metabolites such as xanthones, triterpene, and flavonoids. A series of xanthones (1-6) bearing geranyl and prenyl groups were isolated from the plant. Among these, compounds 1-3 were identified as new xanthones. The inhibitory potency of xanthone 1 was measured at an IC50 of 0.38 μM with a KA of 2.4434 x 10^5 L·mol^-1. In comparison, xanthone 3 showed an IC50 of 35.8 μM and a KA of 0.0002 x 10^5 L·mol^-1, representing a 100-fold difference.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Cratoxylum cochinchinense?
This plant has diverse pharmacological activities including antibacterial, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatoid arthritis, and NF-κB inhibitory properties. Its ability to inhibit NF-κB plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses and reducing inflammation. These anti-inflammatory mechanisms make the plant a potential candidate for treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Furthermore, the species demonstrates significant antibacterial capabilities against various pathogens. Research also highlights its cytotoxic effects, which suggest potential applications in cancer research and cell death induction.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural products", the stems of Cratoxylum cochinchinense from Vietnam yield a new caged xanthone (1), a new prenylxanthone (2), seven known xanthones, and a known sterol glucoside. Some substances derived from these compounds showed cytotoxicity toward HT-29 human colon cancer cells, with 3,6-di-O-acetyl-alpha-mangostin (8) being the most potent at an ED50 of 1.0 uM, though it was inactive at a dose of 20 mg/kg in an in vivo hollow fiber assay. In an NF-kB p65 inhibition assay, 1,3,7-trihydroxy-2,4-diisoprenylxanthone (5) exhibited the most potent activity with an IC50 of 2.9 uM. Furthermore, four substances were active in a mitochondrial transmembrane potential assay, including compound 1 (IC50, 3.3 uM), compound 10 (IC50, 1.4 uM), alpha-mangostin (3, IC50, 0.2 uM), and 3,6-di-O-methyl-alpha-mangostin (11, IC50, 0.9 uM). Preliminary studies showed that 3,6-diacetylation and 6-benzoylation slightly increased the cytotoxicity of alpha-mangostin (3), while methylation reduced it.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- NF-κB inhibitory
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-rheumatoid arthritis
- antibacterial
- cytotoxic
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several bioactive medicinal compounds including cocchinchinone A, cocchinchinone I, cocchinchinone K, cratocochinone, and various xanthones. These specific chemical constituents are primary contributors to the plant's therapeutic potential. Research indicates that the unique structure of the cocchinchinoes may play a role in biological activities. Furthermore, the presence of xanthones adds to the diverse chemical profile of the species. Together, these compounds form the basis for investigating the plant's pharmacological properties.
According to a study published by "Natural product research", a phytochemical study on the stems and leaves of Cratoxylum cochinchinense (Lour.) Blume resulted in the isolation of a new polyprenylated xanthone, cratocochinone (1), and seven known analogues, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. These isolates, 1-8, showed inhibitory effects against nitric oxide production in mouse macrophage RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values ranging from 0.68 ± 0.06 to 10.27 ± 0.18 μM. Additionally, compounds 1-8 displayed anti-HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) effects with EC50 values ranging from 0.19 to 10.72 µM. The seven known analogues identified include fuscaxanthone K (2), pruniflorone Q (3), 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxy- 2-(3-methybut-2-enyl)-4-(3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl) xanthone (4), cochinensoxanthone (5), cratoxylum-xanthone B (6), cochinchinone I (7) and cochinchinone K (8).
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- cocchinchinone A
- cocchinchinone I
- cocchinchinone K
- cratocochinone
- xanthones
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating bacterial infections, burns, fever, inflammation, and various inflammatory processes. Its medicinal properties are often harnessed through its potent chemical compounds that target pathogens. When applied topically, it can help soothe skin damage and promote healing in burn injuries. The extract also serves as an effective agent to reduce high body temperatures during a fever. Additionally, its ability to regulate inflammatory processes makes it valuable for managing internal and external swelling.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in chemistry", the root of Cratoxylum cochinchinense has been widely used as Chinese folk medicine to cure fevers, burns, and abdominal complications. The plant contains bioactive metabolites such as xanthones, triterpene, and flavonoids that may assist in treating pathogenic bacteria infection, the inflammatory process after infection, and biofilm formation. A series of xanthones (1-6) were isolated to study their inhibition of bacterial neuraminiidase (BNA). For instance, xanthone 1 showed an IC50 of 0.38 μM and a KA of 2.4434 x 10^5 L·mol-1, which was 100-fold different from xanthone 3 which had an IC50 of 35.8 μM and a KA of 0.0002 x 10^5 L·mol-1. The most potent compound 1 acted as a competitive inhibitor with Ki app = 0.1440 μM, k3 = 0.1410 μM-1s-1, and k4 = 0.0203 min-1.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- bacterial infections
- burns
- fever
- inflammation
- inflammatory processes
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Cratoxylum cochinchinense, a species used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as a 90% ethanol extract for therapeutic purposes. The bark and leaves of this plant contain bioactive compounds that are often concentrated through various extraction techniques. Researchers frequently utilize the 90% ethanol extract to study its potential antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. These preparations are valued in traditional medicine for their ability to treat different inflammatory conditions. Scientists continue to investigate how these specific solvent-based extracts interact with biological systems.
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 severe health issues including abdominal complications, burns, and fever when ingested or applied incorrectly. Consuming certain parts of the plant may lead to intense digestive distress and other abdominal complications. Topical contact with its concentrated extracts has been known to trigger painful skin burns. Additionally, some individuals experience an elevated body temperature or fever following exposure. These adverse reactions highlight the necessity of careful handling when using this species.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in chemistry", the root of Cratoxylum cochinchinense has been used in Chinese folk medicine to cure fevers, burns, and abdominal complications due to bioactive metabolites like xanthones, triterpene, and flavonoids. Researchers isolated a series of xanthones (1-6) from the plant, where compounds 1-3 were identified as new xanthones. The xanthone 1 demonstrated high inhibitory potency with an IC50 of 0.38 μM and a KA of 2.4434 × 10^5 L·mol^-1. In comparison, xanthone 3 showed significantly different results with an IC50 of 35.8 μM and a KA of 0.0002 × 10^5 L·mol^-1. As a competitive inhibitor, xanthone 1 exhibited a Ki app of 0.1440 μM, a k3 of 0.1410 μM^-1s^-1, and a k4 of 0.0203 min^-1.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- abdominal complications
- burns
- fever
What herbs are paired with Cratoxylum cochinchinense?
This plant Cratoxylum cochinchinense is traditionally paired with herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, and various bitter barks to enhance its medicinal properties in Southeast Asian traditional medicine.
These combinations are frequently utilized to balance the plant's intense astringent and coloring qualities during decoction. Practitioners often include warming spices like ginger to offset the potential cold nature of the root extracts. Cinnamon is sometimes added to improve the flavor profile and promote blood circulation when the plant is used for topical or internal applications.
Such synergistic pairings aim to maximize the therapeutic efficacy of the active compounds found within the bark.