Erythrina velutina
Erythrina velutina · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (2 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Erythrina velutina is a botanical species of significant interest due to its diverse pharmacological activities, particularly its anticholinesterase and anticonvulsant properties. The plant contains vital chemical compounds including flavonoids, hypaphorine, and various indole alkaloids. Researchers often utilize the leaf, stem, and seeds to create specialized preparations such as hydroalcoholic extracts, alkaloid-rich extracts (AKEs), and leaf aqueous extracts (AE). These extracts are studied for their potential impact on central nervous system disorders and their role as central nervous system depressants. Furthermore, the plant's physiological responses to conditions like drought and the influence of abscisic acid remain key areas of scientific investigation.
- Synonyms
- Chirocalyx Velutinus · Erythrina Aculeatissima · 4 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Distribution
- Asia-Tropical
- Plant Parts
- Leaf · Stem
Classification
Common Names
Erythrina velutina is a remarkable plant recognized by a diverse array of regional names. Depending on the local dialect, it is frequently referred to as Bonchi di Kabai or Bonchi di Karta. Some communities also identify the species as Bonchi di Palu, highlighting its widespread presence. Variations in spelling further complicate its nomenclature, with names like Boonchi di Cabai appearing in certain records. Additionally, it may be documented as Boonchi di Carta, reflecting the linguistic richness surrounding this single botanical entity.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Erythrina velutina is a plant known by several different scientific names throughout botanical history. It is formally recognized under the synonyms Chirocalyx velutinus and Corallodendron velutinum. Researchers also frequently encounter this species listed as Erythrina aculeatissima in various taxonomic records. Furthermore, the plant has been categorized under the names Erythrina aurantiaca and Erythrina splendida. Understanding these multiple designations is essential for accurate identification in botanical studies.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Erythrina velutina belongs to the vast kingdom Plantae, showcasing the diverse beauty of the natural world. Within this expansive realm, the species is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further belongs to the order Fabales, a group that links it to many other significant flowering plants. As a member of the family Fabaceae, it shares structural characteristics common to the legume group. Ultimately, this plant is defined by its specific genus, Erythrina, which distinguishes it from all other botanical relatives.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Erythrina |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Erythrina velutina is a widespread species characterized by a remarkably broad geographical distribution across several continents. In Africa, it can be found throughout East Tropical Africa, specifically in Uganda, as well as within the West-Central Tropical Africa region near the Gulf of Guinea Islands. Its reach extends into the Asian tropics, where it is established across the Indian Subcontinent and within Sri Lanka. The plant also maintains a significant presence in South America, particularly within the diverse climates of Brazil. Within Brazil, it thrives in both the Northeast and Southeast regions, showcasing its adaptability to different environments.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Erythrina velutina is a self-supporting plant characterized by its distinct tree growth form. This species typically reaches a maximum height of 10 meters under standard conditions. However, it has the potential to grow even larger, reaching a maximum height of up to 18 meters. Such structural diversity allows it to establish a significant presence within its natural habitat.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Erythrina velutina is a medicinal tree from the Fabaceae family that is widely utilized in Brazil for treating various central nervous system disorders. Research has demonstrated that its leaf extracts possess significant anticholinesterase activity, showing a dual inhibitory action on both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase. These extracts are capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to inhibit cholinesterase activity within the brain in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, hydroalcoholic extracts from the stem bark have exhibited anticonvulsant effects, specifically within strychnine-induced seizure models. This combination of pharmacological properties suggests that the plant plays a complex role in modulating central nervous system functions.
Compounds
Erythrina velutina is a Brazilian medicinal plant belonging to the Leguminosae family that serves as a natural source of the indole alkaloid hypaphorine. Researchers have successfully isolated this specific compound from the plant to study its physiological impact on mammalian subjects. When administered to mice, hypaphorine demonstrated a significant ability to induce sleep by increasing non-rapid eye movement (NREM) time. Specifically, the study observed a 33% enhancement in NREM sleep during the first hour of administration compared to control groups. These findings confirm that the chemical relationship between Erythrina velutina and hypaphorine provides a potent sleep-promoting property.
Conditions
Erythrina velutina acts on several biological targets, including the modulation of abscisic acid during environmental stress responses. In behavioral studies, high doses of its extracts have been shown to treat NEOA and NECA by decreasing the number of entries in the open and closed arms of the elevated plus maze. Furthermore, the plant is utilized as a central nervous system depressant, serving as a natural tranquilizer. These properties allow Erythrina velutina to treat various central nervous system disorders through its bioactive alkaloids.
Preparations
Erythrina velutina is prepared as hydroalcoholic extracts from its stem bark to study its depressant and anticonvulsant effects on the central nervous system. These hydroalcoholic extracts have been shown to reduce locomotor activity and increase sleeping time in mice. Additionally, Erythrina velutina is prepared as a leaf aqueous extract (AE) for the investigation of anticholinesterase activity. The plant is also prepared as alkaloid-rich extracts (AKEs) to evaluate their ability to inhibit cholinesterase in both in vitro and ex vivo settings. Both the AE and AKE preparations demonstrate the capacity to cross the blood-brain barrier and inhibit acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase.
Parts used
Erythrina velutina is a medicinal tree belonging to the Fabaceae family that is widely utilized in Brazilian folk medicine for its effects on the central nervous system. Scientific investigations have focused on various parts of the plant, specifically utilizing the leaves to study anticholinesterase activities and alkaloid biosynthesis. Researchers have also examined the stem bark to evaluate its potential as a tranquilizer and its anticonvulsant properties in specific seizure models. Furthermore, metabolite profiling of the seeds has been essential in uncovering the complex chemical diversity and biosynthetic pathways of the species' alkaloids. Together, these studies demonstrate that different components of the plant contribute to its significant pharmacological potential.