Derris eriocarpa
What's the taxonomical classification of Derris eriocarpa?
Derris eriocarpa belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida, it is situated in the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant follows the taxonomic lineage of the order Fabales and is a member of the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific genus, Derris, and its unique species designation, eriocarpa.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Derris |
| Species | eriocarpa |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Derris eriocarpa has a woody climbing habit characterized by pinnate leaves with several pairs of leaflets and small, densely hairy flowers. The leaves are typically composed of an odd number of leaflets that exhibit a soft, pubescent texture on both surfaces. Its stems act as twining vines that allow the plant to scramble through forest undergrowth to reach sunlight. The inflorescence consists of small, clustered blossoms that are often white or pale in color. These flowers are distinguished by their fine coating of hairs, which is a key identifying feature of the species.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically occurring in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It typically inhabits lowland rainforest environments where moisture levels remain consistently high. The species is often found growing in the understory or along the edges of dense forest tracts. Its distribution is closely tied to the specific humidity and soil conditions found within these equatorial ecosystems. Consequently, its presence is restricted to these specialized niche habitats across the Indo-Malayan realm.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Derris eriocarpa is a climbing woody legume cultivated primarily in tropical regions to extract rotenone from its roots for use in organic pesticides and fish poisons.
Growers typically plant it in well-drained, moist soils under partial shade to mimic its natural forest habitat. The plant requires consistent moisture and high humidity to facilitate the vigorous vine growth necessary for a productive harvest. Once the vines reach maturity, the roots are carefully excavated, cleaned, and processed to isolate the active insecticidal compounds.
Careful management of soil nutrients is essential to ensure the strength and chemical potency of the root systems.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Derris eriocarpa utilizes its roots and stems for various medicinal purposes. The roots are frequently processed to extract bioactive compounds that serve as traditional remedies. Additionally, the stem contains specific chemical constituents that contribute to the plant's therapeutic profile. These different parts are often combined or used separately depending on the intended healing application. Such versatility makes the entire structure of the plant valuable in ethnobotanical practices.
According to a study published by "Journal of Asian natural products research", Derris eriocarpa is an important medicinal plant used in Zhuang and Dai ethnomedicine to treat various diseases. The stem of Derris eriocarpa was used to isolate 7 different compounds, including 1 new compound named 3',4'-di-O-methylene-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-isopentenyl isoflavone (1) and 1 known synthetic but new naturally occurring compound trans-3,4,5-trimethoxy-4'-isopentenyloxyl-stilbene (2). These 7 isolated substances include 5 known compounds, which are 5,7-dimethoxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4'-hydroxyl isoflavones (3), robustone (4), trans-3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxy-stilbene (5), robustic acid (6), and robustin (7). Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited significant scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and superoxide anions. Furthermore, compounds 1, 2, and 3 exhibited potent antiproliferative activity on Hela cells.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Derris eriocarpa, has been utilized in Dai ethnomedicine for centuries as a natural remedy for various skin conditions and ailments. Practitioners within this traditional system often prepare extracts from the roots to treat topical issues such as itching or inflammation. Beyond its medicinal applications, the plant's chemical properties have historically been leveraged for its insecticidal qualities to manage pests. Local communities have integrated it into their daily lives as a sustainable way to maintain health and protect crops. These long-standing practices demonstrate the deep cultural and practical importance of the species in regional herbal traditions.
According to a study published by "Journal of Asian natural products research", Derris eriocarpa is an important medicinal plant. It is used as Zhuang ethnomedicine and Dai ethnomedicine to treat various diseases. From the stem of D. eriocarpa, one new compound 3',4'-di-O-methylene-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-6-isopentenyl isoflavone (1) and a known synthetic but new naturally occurring compound trans-3,4,5-trimethoxy-4'-isopentenyloxyl-stilbene (2) were isolated. Additionally, five known compounds were identified, which include 5,7-dimethoxy-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4'-hydroxyl isoflavones (3), robustone (4), trans-3,4,5,4'-tetramethoxy-stilbene (5), robustic acid (6), and robustin (7). Compounds 1 and 3 exhibited significant scavenging activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and superoxide anions. Compounds 1-3 also exhibited potent antiproliferative activity on Hela cells.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Dai ethnomedicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Derris eriocarpa?
This plant has demonstrated significant pharmacological potential through its documented antiemetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimetastatic activities. Research indicates that its bioactive compounds can effectively combat various pathogens by inhibiting microbial growth. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties help neutralize harmful free radicals within biological systems. The plant also exhibits antiproliferative effects by slowing the uncontrolled division of certain cells. These mechanisms are particularly relevant in oncology due to its observed antimetastatic capacity to hinder the spread of cancer cells.
According to a study published by "Fitoterapia", the stems of Derris eriocarpa How. contain 1 new resveratrol analogue, 2 new prenylisoflavones, and 17 known compounds, including 1 new natural product. Among these, compound 2 exhibited good inhibitory activities against Candida guilliermondii, C. albicans, and Microsporium gypseum. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for these activities were 12.5 μg/ml. All of these compounds are reported from this species for the first time.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-metastatic
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- antiproliferative
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds alpinumisoflavone, derrubon 5-methyl ether, robustic acid, robustin, and robustone. These specific phytochemicals are extracted from the roots and stems of the species to study their biological activities. Researchers often investigate these substances for their potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of these unique flavonoids and ethers contributes to the plant's overall therapeutic profile. Understanding the chemical composition of Derris eriocarpa is essential for developing new pharmaceutical applications.
According to a study published by "American journal of translational research", the medicinal plant Derris eriocarpa contains the naturally occurring flavonoid alpinumisoflavone (AIF) as a major bioactive component. This AIF component impairs the metastatic potential of A375 and SK-MEL-1 human melanoma cells. The treatment decreases cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and dose-dependently increases microRNA-124 (miR-124) levels. Furthermore, AIF decreases levels of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), which is a target of miR-124. These findings suggest that AIF may be useful as an antimetasatatic agent in the treatment of melanoma.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- alpinumisoflavone
- derrubon 5-methyl ether
- robustic acid
- robustin
- robustone
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating fungal infections caused by Candida albicans, Candida guillermondii, and Microsporum gypseum, as well as managing lung metastasis and melanoma. Research into its bioactive compounds suggests significant antimicrobial properties against these specific yeast and fungal pathogens. Furthermore, the plant is investigated for its potential roles in addressing advanced oncological conditions. Its therapeutic applications extend to inhibiting the progression of metastatic cells in lung tissue. Studies also explore its efficacy in combating skin-related malignancies like melanoma.
According to a study published by "Fitoterapia", the stems of the ethnomedicinal plant Derris eriocarpa How. were used to isolate 1 new resveratrool analogue, 2 new prenylisoflavones, and 1 new natural product along with 17 known compounds. The antimicrobial activities of the new compounds were evaluated for their potential health applications. Compound 2 exhibited good inhibitory activities against Candida guilliermondii, C. albicans, and Microsporium gypseum. These inhibitory effects were measured with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 12.5 μg/ml.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- Candida albicans
- Candida guilliermondii
- Microsporium gypseum
- lung metastasis
- melanoma
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is processed into various medicinal herbal preparations such as powders, decoctions, and oils to treat skin conditions and parasitic infections.
The roots of Derris eriocarpa contain high concentrations of rotenone, which acts as a potent natural insecticide and anthelmintic agent. Practitioners often prepare aqueous extracts to alleviate fungal infections or topical applications to combat external parasites. These preparations are valued in traditional medicine for their ability to disrupt the biological processes of certain pests.
Careful dosage is essential during preparation because the chemical potency of the plant can be quite high.
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and skin irritation when humans are exposed to its components. The toxic substances within the plant, often used to create natural insecticides, can disrupt biological processes if ingested or absorbed. Contact with the plant's extracts frequently leads to localized irritation on the skin or mucous membranes. Furthermore, systemic absorption may trigger gastrointestinal distress such as nausea and vomiting. Some individuals might also experience neurological symptoms like dizziness following accidental exposure.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Irritation
What herbs are paired with Derris eriocarpa?
This plant Derris eriocarpa is traditionally paired with turmeric, ginger, and various aromatic oils to enhance its insecticidal and medicinal properties.
These combinations are often used in traditional topical applications to mitigate skin irritation while maximizing the plant's potent rotenoid content. Pairing it with ginger can help improve the bioavailability of its active compounds during decoction processes. Some herbalists also combine it with sandalwood to provide a soothing scent that masks the strong odor of the raw root.
These specific mixtures are carefully formulated to balance the plant's intense chemical potency with gentler botanical agents.