Elephantopus scaber
Elephantopus scaber, commonly known as Elephant's Foot, is a versatile medicinal herb found in tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, it possesses potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Often used to treat digestive issues, fever, and skin ailments, this plant offers significant therapeutic potential for modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Elephantopus scaber
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Elephantopus scaber, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asterales. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and is specifically categorized under the genus Elephantopus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Elephantopus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence is noted in both Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Moving toward the eastern side of the continent, it can be found within East Tropical Africa, specifically in Tanzania. Its range also extends into South Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Angola. Finally, the species is also distributed throughout Mozambique in the southern part of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zambia | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
Chemicals
Elephantopus scaber has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Deoxyelephantopin, deoxyelephantopin, Isodeoxyelephantopin, isodeoxyelephantopin, flavonoids.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Deoxyelephantopin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| deoxyelephantopin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Isodeoxyelephantopin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| isodeoxyelephantopin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epifriedelanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lupeol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stigmasterol glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| carboxylic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Elephantopus scaber has 8 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antihypercholesterolemic, Antiinflammatory, Antipyretic, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypercholesterolemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardiovascular | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Elephantopus scaber has 37 reported medicinal uses identified across 45 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, Staphylococcus aureus, diuresis, dysentery, fever.
- Total uses
- 37
- Scientific sources
- 45
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diuresis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Enterococcus faecalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypercholesterolemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |