longjack
Eurycoma longifolia · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (228 studies) · ★★★★★
Longjack, scientifically known as Eurycoma longifolia, is a powerful medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is widely utilized in traditional medicine to enhance vitality, support hormonal balance, and boost energy levels. This versatile herb remains a cornerstone of natural wellness supplements globally.
- Family
- Simaroubaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Tropical
- Parts used
- Root · Stem
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Not available
Names and Synonyms
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Eurycoma longifoliaSources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Eurycoma longifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindaales and the family Simaroubaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic placement is defined by its membership in the genus Eurycoma.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Simaroubaceae |
| Genus | Eurycoma |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant, known scientifically as Eurycoma longifolia, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the Indo-China region. It is natively found within the tropical landscapes of Cambodia and Laos. Furthermore, its natural habitat extends into the territories of Myanmar and Thailand. The species also thrives throughout various parts of Vietnam. Consequently, its presence is well-established across these five distinct Southeast Asian nations.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Indo-China | Cambodia |
| Indo-China | Laos |
| Indo-China | Myanmar |
| Indo-China | Thailand |
| Indo-China | Vietnam |
| Malesia | Borneo |
| Malesia | Malaya |
| Malesia | Philippines |
| Malesia | Sumatera |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Botanical Identification
Life history
The life history of Eurycoma longifolia is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its natural habitat over many years. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a growth form that enables it to compete effectively within its ecosystem. This phanerophyte classification is consistent across its developmental stages, as it maintains its structural integrity through robust, elevated branching patterns that define its long-term presence in the forest landscape.
- Life form :
- phanerophyte
- Lifecycle :
- perennial
Morphology
The morphology of Eurycoma longifolia is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a tree. This species typically reaches an average height of approximately 8 m. Regarding its growth habit and structural support, it is classified as a self-supporting plant rather than a climbing liana or vine. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial species, lacking the characteristics of an epiphyte.
- Climber :
- self-supporting
- Epiphyte :
- terrestrial
- Growth form :
- tree
- Plant height mean:
- 8 m
- Woodiness :
- woody
Physiology
The physiology of Eurycoma longifolia is characterized by a metabolic framework utilizing the C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and gas exchange mechanisms. As a C3 plant, it relies on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme Rubisco during the Calvin cycle, a process that typically occurs under moderate environmental conditions. Furthermore, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms, instead relying on the uptake of nitrogenous compounds directly from the soil substrate.
- Nitrogen fixer :
- no
- Photosynthetic pathway :
- C3
Reproduction
The reproduction of Eurycoma longifolia is primarily driven by sexual processes facilitated by its flowering structure, though the mechanism of genetic exchange is strictly regulated. In terms of its mating system, self-fertilization is notably absent, indicating that the species relies on cross-pollination to maintain genetic diversity and avoid inbreeding depression. This absence of self-fertilization suggests that the plant requires external agents, such as insects or wind, to transfer pollen between different individual plants. The reproductive cycle involves the development of flowers that must undergo exogenous pollination to successfully produce seeds, ensuring a robust genetic recombination within the population.
- Self fertilization :
- absent
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Plant Parts
Eurycoma longifolia has 3 reported plant parts identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem, leaf.
| Plant part | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Root | 14 supporting sources | ★★★★★ |
| Stem | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Root
- Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters
- Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
- Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
View 9 additional sources
- Natural product research
- Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
- Current drug targets
- Microvascular research
- Scientific reports
- Journal of natural products
- Chemistry & biodiversity
- Drug testing and analysis
- Tropical biomedicine
Stem
- Journal of natural products
- Frontiers in pharmacology
- Current drug targets
Leaf
- Current drug targets
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Chemicals
Eurycoma longifolia has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Eurycomanone, 9-Hydroxycanthin-6-one, 9-Methoxycanthin-6-one, Eurycomalactone, Eurycomanol.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Eurycomanone | 7 supporting sources | ★★★★☆ |
| 9-Hydroxycanthin-6-one | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 9-Methoxycanthin-6-one | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Eurycomalactone | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Eurycomanol | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cortisol | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Eurycomalide C | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| longilactone | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11-dehydroklaineanone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 14,15beta-dihydroxyklaineanone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Eurycomanone
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society
- Planta medica
- Heliyon
- Pharmaceutical biology
View 2 additional sources
- Current drug targets
- Microvascular research
9-Hydroxycanthin-6-one
- Natural product research
- Scientific reports
- Chemistry & biodiversity
- Drug testing and analysis
9-Methoxycanthin-6-one
- Natural product research
- Scientific reports
- Chemistry & biodiversity
- Drug testing and analysis
Eurycomalactone
- Heliyon
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Journal of natural products
- Drug testing and analysis
Eurycomanol
- Frontiers in pharmacology
- Microvascular research
- Planta medica
Cortisol
- Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Eurycomalide C
- Journal of natural products
- Drug testing and analysis
longilactone
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Drug testing and analysis
11-dehydroklaineanone
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
14,15beta-dihydroxyklaineanone
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Activities
Eurycoma longifolia has 20 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac, Anticancer, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Aphrodisiac | 7 supporting sources | ★★★★☆ |
| Anticancer | 6 supporting sources | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 6 supporting sources | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 4 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Aphrodisiac
- Experimental animals
- Archives of pharmacal research
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
- Pharmaceutical biology
- Current drug targets
View 2 additional sources
- Fitoterapia
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Anticancer
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
- Pharmaceutical biology
- Frontiers in pharmacology
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Current drug targets
View 1 additional sources
- Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
Antimalarial
- Pharmaceutical biology
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Current drug targets
- Fitoterapia
- Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
View 1 additional sources
- Journal of natural products
Antimicrobial
- Progress in the chemistry of organic natural products
- Current drug targets
- Fitoterapia
- Scientific reports
Antioxidant
- Progress in the chemistry of organic natural products
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Current drug targets
Cytotoxic
- Progress in the chemistry of organic natural products
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
- Tropical biomedicine
- Journal of natural products
Antibacterial
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Current drug targets
Antidiabetic
- Pharmaceutical biology
- Frontiers in pharmacology
Antifungal
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Current drug targets
Antiproliferative
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
- Current drug targets
Conditions
Eurycoma longifolia has 64 reported investigations on conditions identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever, malaria, cancer, anxiety, aphrodisiac.
| Condition | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Fever | 7 supporting sources | ★★★★☆ |
| Malaria | 6 supporting sources | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cancer | 5 supporting sources | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anxiety | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Aphrodisiac | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hypertension | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Libido | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aches | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Fever
- Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society
- Pharmaceutical biology
- Frontiers in pharmacology
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
View 2 additional sources
- Life (Basel, Switzerland)
- Drug testing and analysis
Malaria
- Pharmaceutical biology
- Frontiers in pharmacology
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Journal of natural products
View 1 additional sources
- Tropical biomedicine
Cancer
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
- Molecular diversity
- Pharmaceutical biology
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Microvascular research
Anxiety
- Japanese journal of pharmacology
- CNS drugs
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Aphrodisiac
- Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
- Current drug targets
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Hypertension
- Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society
- Frontiers in pharmacology
- Drug testing and analysis
Libido
- Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition
- Experimental animals
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Plasmodium falciparum
- Planta medica
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Aches
- Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Antimalarial
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
Preparations
Eurycoma longifolia has 20 reported preparations identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include CitruSlim, EL extract, Eurycoma longifolia root extract, Methanol and ethyl acetate extraction, Radix.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Citruslim | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| El extract | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Eurycoma longifolia root extract | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Methanol and ethyl acetate extraction | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Radix | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Roots | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aqueous extracts | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Crude extracts from the roots | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Extract of e. longifolia | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hairy root culture | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Citruslim
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
El extract
- Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
Eurycoma longifolia root extract
- Drug testing and analysis
Methanol and ethyl acetate extraction
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
Radix
- Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
Roots
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Aqueous extracts
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Crude extracts from the roots
- Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences
Extract of e. longifolia
- Journal of natural products
Hairy root culture
- Scientific reports