Glycosmis pentaphylla

Gin berry

Glycosmis pentaphyllia, commonly known as Ashoka or False Ashoka, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical Asia. Renowned in traditional Ayurveda, its leaves, roots, and bark possess potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It is widely utilized to treat digestive ailments, skin disorders, and inflammatory conditions in herbal medicine.

  • Scientific name: Glycosmis pentaphylla
  • Family: Rutaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Glycosmis pentaphyllla, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Rutaceae and falls under the genus Glycosmis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Sapindales WCVP
Family Rutaceae WCVP
Genus Glycosmis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Glycosmis pentaphylla, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In English, it is referred to as both Orangeberry in Canada (en-ca) and the United Kingdom (en-gb), while in Chinese (zh), it is called 山小橘. Its regional names also include പാണൽ in Malayalam (ml) and আশশেওড়া in Bengali (bn).
Language Common Name Source
zh 山小橘 Wikidata
en-ca Orangeberry Wikidata
en-gb Orangeberry Wikidata
ml പാണൽ Wikidata
bn আশশেওড়া Wikidata
th เขยตาย Wikidata
ta பூமிப்பழம் Wikidata
fa اورنج بری Wikidata
su Gongséng Wikidata
mad Ruk-jherrughân Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the Asian continent. Within the country of China, it can be specifically found in the South-Central regions. Its presence is also significant across the Indian Subcontinent, spanning from the state of Assam to the broader territories of India. Furthermore, the species is distributed throughout the East Himalaya mountain range. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the neighboring nation of Bangladesh.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent India WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Pakistan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Sri Lanka WCVP
Indian Subcontinent West Himalaya WCVP
Indo-China Andaman Is. WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Glycosmis pentaphyllia, contains various components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The woody stems provide the structural framework for the shrub, while the roots and the specialized root bark are often harvested for their concentrated medicinal compounds. The vibrant green leaves are a primary source of bioactive constituents, and when processed into a potent leaf extract, they are frequently employed in traditional remedies to treat various ailments.
Total parts
6
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include N-p-coumaroyltyramine, Noracronycine, arborinine, carbalexin A, chrysin.

Total chemicals
21
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
N-p-coumaroyltyramine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Noracronycine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arborinine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
carbalexin A 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chrysin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
coronaridine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dictamine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glybomine B 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glycoborinine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Cytotoxic, Hepatoprotective.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Glycosmis pentaphylla has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, bronchitis, cancers, hepatocellular carcinoma, jaundice.

Total uses
7
Scientific sources
7

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bronchitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancers 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hepatocellular carcinoma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
jaundice 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆
skin diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆