Ehretia microphylla
Ehretia microphylla · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Ehretia microphylla is a botanical species recognized for its diverse pharmacological potential and unique chemical profile. Research into its biological activities has highlighted significant antimutagenic properties, which are primarily attributed to its bioactive constituents. The plant contains key chemical compounds such as ehretianone, microphyllone, and various sterols. These substances can be isolated from different plant parts, specifically the leaves and the roots. Scientific investigations typically utilize preparations including the MeOH extract, the MeOH extract of the root bark, and the ethyl acetate-soluble portion of the MeOH extract.
- Synonyms
- Lithothamnus Buxioides · Carmona Heterophylla · 11 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Boraginaceae
- Distribution
- Asia-Tropical
- Plant Parts
- Leaf · Root
Classification
Common Names
Ehretia microphylla is a versatile plant known by a diverse array of names across different regions and languages. In many English-speaking contexts, it is commonly referred to as the Fukien tea tree or simply Fukien-tea. It is also frequently identified by its alternative name, Hokianti, which highlights its botanical identity. In certain local settings, it is recognized by the Vietnamese name Cùm rụm lá nhỏ. Furthermore, the species is known in Hungarian as Kislevelű borágófa, illustrating its global presence.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Ehretia microphylla is a botanical subject frequently encountered under various other scientific names in historical and modern literature. It is widely recognized by its synonym Carmona heterophylla, which appears often in taxonomic discussions. The plant is also identified as Carmona microphylla and Carmona retusa, reflecting different classification perspectives over time. Furthermore, researchers may refer to it using the synonyms Cordia coromandeliana or Cordia retusa depending on the specific botanical context. Understanding these diverse naming conventions is essential for accurately identifying the species across different databases.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Ehretia microphylla is a unique botanical specimen that belongs to the vast kingdom Plantae. Within this biological kingdom, the species is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further falls into the order Boraginales, showcasing its specific evolutionary lineage. This plant is a distinguished member of the genus Ehretia, which helps scientists identify its core traits. Ultimately, its taxonomic placement is solidified within the family Boraginaceae.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Boraginales |
| Family | Boraginaceae |
| Genus | Ehretia |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Ehretia microphylla displays a broad and diverse geographic range across several key regions. This species is widely distributed throughout the Asia-Temperate zone, stretching from the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf States to the far reaches of the East. Within China, it can be found spanning from the southeast coastal regions to the tropical island of Hainan. Its presence also extends into Eastern Asia, specifically covering areas such as Taiwan and the Nansei-shoto islands. This wide-ranging distribution highlights the plant's ability to adapt to various subtropical and temperate environments.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Ehretia microphylla typically presents as a sturdy, self-supporting shrub. This resilient plant generally reaches a minimum height of 1 meter as it begins to establish itself. As it matures, the growth often expands to reach a minimum height of 2.5 meters. Depending on its specific environmental conditions, it can continue to climb until it reaches a maximum height of 4 meters. This versatile growth form allows the species to integrate seamlessly into various landscape settings.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Ehretia microphylla is a plant species of growing interest in pharmacological research due to its potential biological properties. While studies have specifically highlighted the antimutagenic activity found in plants like Carmona retusa, the search for similar protective compounds continues. In the case of Carmona retusa, researchers isolated a specific decahydro-beta, psi-carotene compound from its leaves. This isolated substance demonstrated a significant ability to reduce micronucleated erythrocytes induced by tetracycline in in vivo testing. Such findings underscore the importance of investigating diverse botanical sources to identify potent agents capable of mitigating genetic damage.
Compounds
Ehretia microphylla is a plant species noted for its diverse array of bioactive chemical constituents. Research into its methanol extracts has successfully identified microphyllone, a unique dimeric prenylbenzoquinone with significant biological properties. In addition to these specific quinones, the plant is also known to contain various sterols. These chemical profiles highlight the complex secondary metabolites present within the species. Such findings underscore the potential pharmacological importance of the compounds derived from Ehretia microphylla.
Conditions
Ehretia microphylla demonstrates significant therapeutic potential through its various biological activities. The plant exhibits antisnake venom activity, specifically showing the ability to treat Echis carinatus venom. Additionally, its extracts exert a strong selective antiproliferative effect that treats cancer cells. Research also indicates that the plant can treat exocytosis in antigen-stimulated rat basophils. These combined properties highlight the medicinal versatility of the species in addressing diverse pathological conditions.
Preparations
Ehretia microphylla is prepared as a MeOH extract to facilitate the study of its bioactive properties. Specifically, the plant is processed as a MeOH extract of the root bark to isolate various chemical constituents. Furthermore, the research utilizes the ethyl acetate-soluble portion of the MeOH extract of Ehretia microphylla. This specific fraction has demonstrated inhibitory activity on exocytosis in antigen-stimulated rat basophils. Through bioassay-guided separation of this portion, unique compounds such as microphyllone were successfully identified.
Parts used
Ehretia microphylla is a plant species that offers significant botanical interest due to the diverse components available for scientific study. Detailed investigations into the plant's leaves have revealed a complex phytochemical profile containing 32 bioactive compounds. These leaf extracts have undergone rigorous physicochemical and toxicity testing to support their potential use in herbal drug development. Beyond the foliage, the plant's morphological structure also includes the root, which serves as another vital part of the organism. Understanding these specific plant parts is essential for validating the traditional medicinal applications of the species.