Elaeagnus umbellata
What's the taxonomical classification of Elaeagnus umbellata?
Elaeagnus umbellata belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is categorized under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Moving through its higher taxonomic ranks, it falls under the order Rosales and is a member of the family Elaeagnaceae. Finally, the plant is defined by its genus, Elaeagnus, and its specific species designation, umbellata.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Elaeagnaceae |
| Genus | Elaeagnus |
| Species | umbellata |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Elaeagnus umbellata has an evergreen growth habit characterized by spreading, rounded crowns and small, leathery, elliptical leaves that measure approximately 2 to 5 centimeters in length. The foliage typically exhibits a dark green upper surface with a paler, slightly pubescent underside. Its branches are woody and can develop a somewhat irregular or weeping structure as the tree matures. Small, inconspicuous flowers emerge from the axils, eventually giving way to fleshy, drupe-like fruits that turn reddish or brownish when ripe. The bark is generally smooth and greyish, providing a subtle texture to the trunk and larger limbs.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to a wide range of East Asian countries including China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. It typically thrives in temperate climates found across these specific mountainous and lowland regions. Within these habitats, the species is often discovered growing in forest edges or along riverbanks where moisture is abundant. Its distribution extends through various elevations, allowing it to adapt to different ecological niches across the continent. This broad presence makes it a well-established component of the natural flora in Eastern Asia.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Elaeagnus umbellata requires well-drained soil and full sun to optimal growth while exhibiting high tolerance for various soil types including poor or alkaline conditions.
It is a hardy deciduous shrub that thrives in USDA zones 4 through 8. Because it is an aggressive spreader, gardeners should provide ample space to prevent it from overtaking surrounding vegetation. Pruning is often necessary to maintain a desired shape and to control its vigorous expansion.
This species is frequently utilized in windbreaks or as a fast-growing privacy screen due to its dense foliage.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Elaeagnus umbellata provides medicinal value through its bark, berries, flowers, fruit, and leaves. The bark is often harvested to create decoctions used for treating various ailments. Its small flowers and edible berries are frequently utilized in traditional practices to support health. The fleshy fruit can also be consumed for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. Additionally, the leaves are prepared as infusions to address specific wellness needs.
According to a study published by "Pakistan journal of pharmaceuctical sciences", the bark and fruit extracts of Elaeagnus umbellata have been investigated for antibacterial, anti-fungal, insecticidal, and phytotoxic activities. Petroleum ether extracts showed significant activity against E. faecalis, and dichloromethane extract was also determined significant against S. aureus. The chloroform extract indicated low activity against E. coli, K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis, and S. flexneri. Additionally, the ethyl acetate fraction demonstrated significant activity against K. pneumoniae, while methanolic extract exhibited significant activity against E. coli. All extracts showed low phytotoxic activity, and the dichloromethane extract exhibited moderate insecticidal activity while other extract indicated low activity.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- berries
- flower
- fruit
- leaf
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Elaeagnus umbellata, has been traditionally utilized in East Asian cultures for its edible berries, medicinal properties, and wood for construction.
The small, silver-scaled fruits are frequently harvested to make jams, jellies, and wines due to their sweet and slightly astringent flavor. In traditional herbal medicine, various parts of the plant have been applied to treat ailments such as inflammation and digestive issues. Historically, the sturdy wood was also valued for making tool handles and small household items.
These long-standing practices reflect the plant's versatile role in both human nutrition and regional folk remedies.
What are the pharmacological activities of Elaeagnus umbellata?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective pharmacological activities. The presence of various bioactive compounds allows it to effectively neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the body. It also demonstrates significant potential in inhibiting the growth of various pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, its properties help protect liver cells from chemical or toxin-induced damage. These diverse therapeutic effects make it a subject of great interest in medicinal research.
According to a study published by "Cell biochemistry and biophysics", Elaeagnuus umbellata exhibits anti-ulcer, antimutagenic, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective properties. The leaves of this plant also demonstrate anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects. Regarding antibacterial potential, the extract produced a 25 mm zone of inhibition against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa 25619 and a 26 mm zone of inhibition against Enterococcus faecalis 29212. While no inhibition was noted for Klebsiella pneumonia 43816, the standard imipenem showed an average of 34 mm zone of inhibition. Fourteen compounds were identified in the crude methanolic extract of the leaves. This extract also possesses substantial hepatoprotective properties against CCl4-induced liver toxicity in a dose-dependent manner.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- antibacterial
- antimicrobial
- hepatoprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse array of medicinal compounds including total phenolic content, anthocyanins, eugenol, morin, and total flavonoid levels. These bioactive constituents contribute to the plant's significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of anthocyanins provides vibrant pigmentation while also offering cellular protection against oxidative stress. Eugenol serves as a key aromatic component known for its antimicrobial and analgesic effects. Furthermore, the levels of morin and total flavonoid content support the overall therapeutic potential of the species.
According to a study published by "Cell biochemistry and biophysics", fourteen compounds were identified in the crude methanolic extract of Elaeagnus umbellata leaves. The leaves exhibit antibacterial potential, specifically showing a 25 mm zone of inhibition against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa 25619 and a 26 mm zone of inhibition against Enterococcus faecalis 29212. This extract was characterized using gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy to evaluate its phytochemical properties. The study also assessed the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the plant. These results indicate that the crude Met-Ext of Elaeagnus umbellata exhibits considerable hepatoprotective effects in a dose-dependent manner.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Total phenolic
- anthocyanins
- eugenol
- morin
- total flavonoid
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for managing diabetes mellitus, providing hepatoprotective effects, offering hypolipidemic effects, exerting nephroprotective effects, and reducing oxidative stress. Its bioactive compounds work to stabilize blood glucose levels in individuals suffering from metabolic disorders. The plant also helps protect the liver from chemical damage and lowers unhealthy lipid concentrations in the bloodstream. Furthermore, its antioxidant properties mitigate damage caused by oxidative stress in vital organs. These combined actions contribute to the overall protection of kidney function against various stressors.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb. is a medicinal plant used for the management of stress related disorders like diabetes and other health complications. The plant's isolated compound morin shows potential to treat diabetes mellitus and bacterial infections. In a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model, morin was tested at doses of 2, 10, 15, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight. These doses significantly restored fasting blood glucose levels and body weight loss while decreasing cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, and HbA1c levels. Furthermore, the plant extracts help improve renal functions like serum creatinine and increase antioxidant enzyme activities such as GPx and GSH content.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- diabetes
- heart ailments
- inflammation
- oxidative stress
- wound healing
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Elaeagnus umbellata, a species used to create diverse medicinal herbal preparations including fruit extracts, butanol fractions, essential oils, and various plant extracts. The extract of fruits is frequently utilized for its concentrated nutritional and therapeutic properties. Researchers also isolate the butanol fraction to study specific bioactive compounds within the plant material. Additionally, the essential oils provide potent aromatic and medicinal qualities through distillation processes. These various plant extracts serve as the foundation for developing more complex pharmacological applications.
According to a study published by "Saudi journal of biological sciences", Elaeagnus umbellata is a deciduous shrub found in dappled shade and sunny hedge with a widespread distribution across the Pir Panjal region of the Himalayas. The fruits of this plant serve as an excellent source of vitamins and minerals that exhibit hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects. The phytochemical fingerprint of the berries reveals a high content of polyphenols, primarily anthocyanins, followed by monoterpenes and vitamin C. Extracts of the fruits help in regulating the digestion and absorption of glucose while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Phytosterols within the plant uphold anticoagulant activity to decrease angina and blood cholesterol levels, while phytochemicals like eugenol, palmitic acid, and methyl palmitate exhibit potent antibacterial activity. A high percentage of essential oils also attributes the plant with being effective against heart ailments.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Extract of fruits
- butanol fraction
- essential oils
- plant extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can provide significant hepatoprotective effects that help prevent hepatitis while simultaneously offering a reduction of inflammation throughout the body. These medicinal properties extend to the cardiovascular system by helping to achieve a decrease in angina. Researchers have noted its overall effectiveness against heart ailments due to these calming biological actions. By addressing both liver health and systemic swelling, the species serves as a versatile botanical resource.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine", Elaeagnus umbellata is identified as one of 11 plant species with novel medicinal uses. This specific plant is utilized for the treatment of hepatitis. The research involved field surveys conducted from September 2015 to March 2017. A total of 125 local inhabitants were interviewed to gather this data. Out of 88 reported plant species, 67 or 77% were used for ethnomedical applications.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- hepatitis
- hepatoprotective effects
- reduction of inflammation
- decrease in angina
- effectiveness against heart ailments
What herbs are paired with Elaeagnus umbellata?
This plant Elaeagnus umbellata pairs best with aromatic herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme to balance its subtle, nutty undertones.
The earthy notes of these woody herbs complement the slightly sweet and mild flavor of the plant's fruit or foliage. Mint can also be used to provide a bright, refreshing contrast to the denser, more savory profiles of the shrub. When incorporating these pairings into culinary applications, consider using small amounts to ensure the herbs do not overwhelm the delicate essence of the Elaeagnus.
Using a blend of these herbs can create a complex flavor profile suitable for various savory dishes.