Erythrophleum fordii
Erythrophleum fordii · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Erythrophleum fordii is a botanical species that has garnered significant scientific interest due to its diverse bioactive potential. Research indicates that preparations derived from its bark and EtOH extracts, specifically from the leaves and roots, exhibit potent cytotoxic activities. Chemical profiling of the plant has identified key compounds such as (+)-taxifolin, (-)-robinetidol, and beta-sitosterol. These constituents are currently being investigated for their therapeutic implications in addressing complex medical conditions. Most notably, the plant shows promise in studies targeting the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
- Synonyms
- Not available
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Leaf · Root
Classification
Common Names
Erythrophleum fordii is a fascinating botanical species known by several distinct regional names. In certain areas, it is commonly referred to as Gemu. It is also frequently identified by the name Lim Xanh, reflecting its local significance. Furthermore, the plant is recognized in Chinese contexts as 格木. These diverse names highlight the wide cultural and linguistic reach of this particular tree.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Taxonomy
Erythrophleum fordii is a notable member of the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological realm, it is specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida. Its taxonomic journey continues through the order Fabales, which places it in a significant evolutionary group. This plant belongs to the diverse family Fabaceae, showcasing its connection to other legumes. Finally, it is identified by its distinct genus, Erythrophleum, which defines its unique botanical characteristics.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Erythrophleum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Erythrophleum fordii exhibits a broad geographic range that spans across both temperate and tropical regions of Asia. In the temperate zones, this species is widely distributed throughout China, specifically within the South-Central and Southeast provinces. Its presence extends further east to the island of Taiwan, marking a significant part of its Eastern Asian footprint. Moving into tropical climates, the plant is well-established within the Indo-China peninsula. This distribution is notably evident in the lush landscapes of both Cambodia and Vietnam.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Erythrophleum fordii is a self-supporting tree characterized by its distinct growth form. This species reaches a maximum height of 10 meters as it matures in its natural habitat. Its structural stability allows it to stand firmly within its ecosystem.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Erythrophleum fordii has demonstrated significant cytotoxic activity through the isolation of various cassaine diterpenoids from its bark. Recent phytochemical investigations have identified several new compounds, including erythrofordin T and U, which possess notable biological potential. When tested against human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, these isolated substances showed impressive inhibitory effects in vitro. Specifically, the cassaine diterpene amines exhibited potent cytotoxicity, with some reaching highly effective IC50 values. Furthermore, certain components like erythroformine B were found to induce apoptosis in cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner.
Compounds
Erythrophleum fordii has been the subject of a detailed phytochemical investigation focused on its bark composition. Through rigorous spectroscopic analysis, researchers successfully identified several key chemical constituents within the species. Among these findings, the plant was confirmed to contain the sterol beta-sitosterol. Additionally, the investigation revealed the presence of the compound robinetinidol. These discoveries mark the first time these specific substances have been isolated from this particular plant species.
Conditions
Erythrophleum fordii contains cassaine diterpenoids derived from its bark that demonstrate significant potential in treating human lung cancer. Research indicates that these bioactive compounds exhibit potent cytotoxic activities against specific non-small cell lung cancer cell lines, including A549, NCI-H1975, and NCI-H1229. Specifically, cassaine diterpene amines isolated from the plant show strong inhibitory effects against these cancer cells during in vitro testing. Furthermore, the compound erythroformine B has been shown to significantly induce apoptosis in these non-small cell lung cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings highlight the therapeutic relevance of Erythrophleum fordii in combating various human lung cancer cell lines.
Preparations
Erythrophleum fordii is utilized as bark in phytochemical investigations to isolate various cassaine diterpenoids and new compounds. These bark-derived substances have been specifically studied for their cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities against human lung cancer cell lines. Additionally, the plant is prepared as an EtOH extract of its leaves to facilitate chemical analysis. This ethanol extraction process has successfully led to the isolation of oleanane-type triterpene saponins and several cassaine-type diterpenoids. Both the bark and the ethanol extract serve as essential sources for identifying bioactive compounds within the species.
Parts used
Erythrophleum fordii serves as a rich source of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites found within its various anatomical structures. Phytochemical investigations of the plant's leaves have successfully isolated several oleanane-type triterpene saponins and cassaine-type diterpenoids. These leaf-derived compounds have demonstrated significant potential due to their potent cytotoxic activity against various human cancer cell lines. Furthermore, the roots of Erythrophleum fordii contain unique erythrocassanoids and other diterpenes that offer distinct pharmacological properties. Research into these root extracts has specifically highlighted their promising antiviral activities against the influenza and coxsackie viruses.