Elaeagnus angustifolia
What's the taxonomical classification of Elaeagnus angustifolia?
Elaeagnus angustifolia belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is categorized under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this group, it is classified in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant follows the order Rosales and is a member of the family Elaeagnaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Elaeagnus, specifically as the species angustifolia.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Elaeagnaceae |
| Genus | Elaeagnus |
| Species | angustifolia |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Elaeagnus angustifolia has lanceolate, leathery leaves that are typically 2 to 5 centimeters wide and 5 to 12 centimeters long with wavy margins and a silvery underside. The plant features small, fragrant, white or pinkish flowers that emerge from axillary clusters. Its stems are woody and often possess small, scale-like leaves characteristic of the family Elaeagnaceae. The fruit is a small, dry, ovoid drupe that turns reddish or brownish as it matures. This shrubby species is distinguished by its overall grayish-green appearance caused by dense, tiny scales covering the foliage.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to East Asia, specifically spanning across China, Korea, Japan, and parts of the Russian Far East. It thrives primarily in temperate climates where it can inhabit various environments such as riverbanks, moist valleys, and woodland edges. Due to its hardiness, it has been introduced to several other regions around the world for ornamental purposes. In some non-native areas, particularly in North America, it is considered an invasive species because it spreads easily along waterways. Its ability to adapt to diverse soil types allows it to occupy a wide range of ecological niches within its native range.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Elaeagnus angustifolia, requires full sun and well-drained, sandy or loamy soil to thrive in most temperate climates.
It is a hardy species that can tolerate drought and salt spray once its root system is firmly established. To ensure healthy growth, gardeners should provide regular watering during the first few years of cultivation. Pruning is occasionally necessary to manage its spreading habit and maintain a desired shape.
This shrub is particularly valued for its ability to fix nitrogen, which improves the quality of poor soils.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Elaeagnus angustifolia provides medicinal benefits through its bark, flowers, fruit, leaves, and roots. The bark and roots are often utilized in traditional practices to address various internal ailments. Its small, fragrant flowers and edible fruits are frequently consumed for their nutritional and restorative properties. The leaves can be prepared as infusions or topical applications to aid in healing. Each of these distinct components serves a specific purpose in traditional herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "3 Biotech", Elaeagnus angustifolia is an economically important ornamental and crop plant. This plant has a wide range of biologically active compounds and is regarded as a unique medicinal plant with multiple applications. The study observed the plant during the growing season from 2017 to 2020. During this period, forty Gram-negative bacterial strains were isolated from the trees. These trees showed symptoms such as distinctive lesions on the trunk and branches.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- flower
- fruit
- leaf
- root
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as oleaster, has been utilized extensively in Iranian herbal medicine to treat various ailments such as digestive issues and respiratory problems. Historically, the dried fruits were harvested and consumed for their nutritional density and medicinal properties. Practitioners in traditional Persian systems often employed the fruit to balance bodily humors and improve overall vitality. Beyond its medicinal use, the plant's ability to thrive in arid conditions made it a reliable resource for local populations throughout history. These long-standing traditions highlight the deep cultural and therapeutic significance of the species in Middle Eastern folk medicine.
According to a study published by "Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology", the Elaeagnuus angustifolia fruit has been traditionally used in Iranian herbal medicine to treat diarrhea and rheumatoid arthritis. In experimental studies, hydroalcoholic fruit extracts of E. angustifolia were administered at concentrations of 100, 300, 700, and 1000 mg/kg. One specific result showed that 1000 mg/kg of the extract was significantly different compared with the negative control group (p<0.05) and comparable to sodium salicylate (400 mg/kg) (p<0.05). These treatments were performed daily for 8 days to examine the effects on edema. The findings suggest that the E. angustifolia fruit extract probably has acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activities to support its applications in folk medicine.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Iranian herbal medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Elaeagnus angustifolia?
This plant has demonstrated significant pharmacological potential through its anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-ulcerogenic activities. The presence of bioactive compounds like flavonoids and phenolics allows it to neutralize harmful free radicals within the body. These chemical constituents also help inhibit the growth of various pathogenic microorganisms and reduce systemic inflammation. Furthermore, the plant exhibits protective effects against gastric lesions and may impede the proliferation of malignant cells. Such diverse medicinal properties suggest that its extracts could serve as valuable sources for future therapeutic development.
According to a study published by "Cancer management and research", Elaeagnus angustifolia has demonstrated anti-cancer activity in breast, cervical, hepatocellular, oral, and colorectal cancer models. Mechanistically, the plant induces apoptosis, arrests the cell cycle, and modulates HER2/JNK and PI3K/AKT pathways. Additionally, it inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition, suppresses angiogenesis, and reduces oxidative stress. While the plant shows promise as a therapeutic agent in cancer management, animal studies remain limited and clinical validation is currently lacking.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-cancer
- anti-inflammatory
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- anti-tumor
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds angustifoal A, phengustifoals A, phengustifoals B, terpengustifol A, and salidroside. These specific phytochemicals contribute to the various biological activities associated with the species. Salidroside is particularly noted for its potential antioxidant and adaptogenic properties. The phengustifoals and other unique constituents represent specialized secondary metabolites found within the plant tissue. Researchers study these diverse substances to understand their therapeutic potential in pharmacology.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", seven aromatic glycosides were isolated from the methanolic extract of Elaeagnus angustifolia flowers. These compounds include four phenylethanol glycosides, one phenylmethanol glycoside, one phenylpropane glycoside, and one benzoide. Among these, compound 1 is a new compound named angustifol A, while six known compounds were identified as 2-phenylethyl-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), salidroside (3), vanillic acid 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), vanilloloside (5), (Z)-isoconiferin (6), and 2-phenylethyl-6-O-α-L-arabinofuranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (7). Compounds 2 through 7 were isolated from the genus Elaeagnus for the first time. In vitro anti-inflammatory assays revealed that none of these compounds showed good COX inhibitory activities.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- angustifol A
- phengustifols A
- phengustifols B
- terpengustifol A
- salidroside
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating inflammation, oxidative stress, microbial infection, free radical damage, and wounds. Its bioactive compounds work to neutralize harmful molecules that cause significant free radical damage within cellular structures. By reducing oxidative stress, the plant helps maintain biological balance and prevents long-term tissue deterioration. The medicinal properties also provide a defense against microbial infection by inhibiting the growth of various pathogens. Additionally, its soothing effects make it an effective agent for accelerating the healing of open wounds.
According to a study published by "Chemistry & biodiversity", Elaeagnus angustifolia aqueous crude extract demonstrates anti-inflammatory activity at concentrations of 20-80 µg/mL. The research explores its potential as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent by analyzing its effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells treated with 80 µg/mL of the extract. This treatment significantly altered cellular metabolism and revealed 156 differential metabolites, including amino acids, lipids, and nucleotides such as pyrimidines and puriines. The extract shows a capacity to modulate inflammation-related pathways, including the TCA cycle, beta-oxidation, tyrosine metabolism, niacinamide salvage, and nucleotide metabolism. These findings highlight the plant's ability to modulate metabolic routes at the cellular level.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- inflammation
- oxidative stress
- microbial infection
- wounds
- free radical damage
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Elaeagnus angustifolia, which is utilized in various medicinal preparations including a 70% methanol extract, Zahraa herbal tea, a decoction, fruit powder, and an infusion. Researchers often study the 70% methanol extract to isolate specific bioactive compounds for therapeutic testing. Traditional methods frequently involve creating a decoction or an infusion to release soluble nutrients for consumption. Additionally, the dried fruit powder is used as a concentrated supplement in dietary regimens. Zahraa herbal tea serves as a common way for individuals to prepare the plant for regular medicinal use.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the herbal tea known as Zahraa in Damascus contains between 6 and 14 species components. One of the botanical components identified in this mixture is Eleagnus angustifolia L. from the Eleagnaceae family. This plant is part of a complex formula used in the Unani system of medicine. The study focuses on the components of these multicomponent herbal preparations.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 70% methanol extract
- Zahraa herbal tea
- decoction
- fruit powder
- infusion
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause serious health complications including asthma, cough, diarrhea, dysentery, and fever. Consuming certain parts of the plant may irritate the respiratory tract, leading to a persistent cough or triggering asthma attacks in sensitive individuals. Digestive issues are also a significant concern, as ingestion can result in severe diarrhea or the more intense symptoms of dysentery. Some patients may also experience systemic reactions such as a sudden fever following exposure. These adverse reactions highlight the importance of exercising caution when interacting with the species.
According to a study published by "Journal of AOAC International", the leaves of Elaeagnus angustifolia are known for medicinal properties to relieve cough and asthma, as well as treat dysentery and diarrhea. Researchers analyzed 10 varieties of leaves using a system with a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min, an injection volume of 1.0 μL, and a column temperature of 45°C. A total of 182 different secondary metabolites were detected within the leaves of Elaeagnus angustifolia. These detected metabolites included 77 flavonoids, 20 steroids, 7 alkaloids, 15 amino acids, 18 organic acids, and 45 other compound types. These findings provide a foundation for developing medicinal resources derived from the leaves.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- asthma
- cough
- diarrhea
- dysentery
- fever
What herbs are paired with Elaeagnus angustifolia?
This plant, Elaeagnus angustifolia, pairs most effectively with woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to complement its subtle, nutty undertones.
The slightly astringent quality of the silverleaf oleaster leaves benefits from the aromatic oils found in Mediterranean herbs. When used in culinary infusions, lavender can also enhance the delicate floral notes inherent in the plant's profile. These combinations create a balanced sensory experience by grounding the plant's light scent with deeper, earthy elements.
Careful selection of these pairings ensures that the unique characteristics of the oleaster are highlighted rather than overwhelmed.