Eriobotrya japonica
Loquat
Eriobotrya japonica, commonly known as the loquat, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional practices. Its leaves and fruits possess significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. Often used to treat respiratory ailments and digestive issues, this resilient evergreen offers a rich source of vitamins and therapeutic compounds.
- Scientific name: Eriobotrya japonica
- Family: Rosaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Eriobotrya japonica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Eriobotrya.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rosaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Eriobotrya | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Eriobotrya japonica, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 枇杷 (pípa), while in Polish, it is called Nieśplik japoński. The species also holds specific names in other regions, such as Gî-pê in nan, ཞུ་མཁན། in bo, and Japoniako mizpirondo in eu.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nan | Gî-pê | Wikidata |
| zh | 枇杷 | Wikidata |
| bo | ཞུ་མཁན། | Wikidata |
| eu | Japoniako mizpirondo | Wikidata |
| pl | Nieśplik japoński | Wikidata |
| ko | 비파나무 | Wikidata |
| he | שסק | Wikidata |
| af | Lukwart | Wikidata |
| it | Rhaphiolepis bibas | Wikidata |
| to | Loketi | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Eriobotrya japonica, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing within the Balearic Islands, which are part of the Baleares archipelago. Its presence is also noted in the French territories and along the coastlines of Portugal. Additionally, this species inhabits the island of Corse. Finally, the plant is documented to grow in the Mediterranean region of Sardegna.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the loquat, utilizes various components for its medicinal and nutritional purposes. The large, serrated leaves are frequently used in traditional remedies to treat respiratory ailments, often prepared as a decoction from a single dried leaf. During the spring, the plant produces fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators and eventually develop into fruit. Within these fruits, the hard seeds contain compounds that are studied for their bioactive properties, though the seed itself must be handled with care due to its potency.- Total parts
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 21
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flowers | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leave extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flower of Eriobotrya japonica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Eriobotrya japonica has 53 reported phytochemicals identified across 75 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ursolic acid, corosolic acid, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, maslinic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 53
- Scientific sources
- 75
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ursolic acid | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| corosolic acid | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| maslinic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| euscaphic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tormentic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11-keto-ursolic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Eriobotrya japonica has 13 reported activities identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antitussive, Estrogenic, Hypoglycemic, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 20
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antitussive | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Estrogenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Digestive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Eriobotrya japonica has 55 reported medicinal uses identified across 62 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetes mellitus, inflammation, asthma, pain, type 2 diabetes.
- Total uses
- 55
- Scientific sources
- 62
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| diabetes mellitus | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| A549 cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes Mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HepG2 cells | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |