Mangaba

Hancornia speciosa · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (30 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Mangaba, scientifically known as Hancornia speciosa, is a remarkable medicinal plant prized in traditional healing practices. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is frequently utilized to treat various ailments, including inflammation and digestive issues. Exploring its pharmacological potential offers promising insights into modern therapeutic applications and natural wellness.

Family
Apocynaceae
Native range
Southern America
Parts used
Leaf
Common names
Not available
Scientific synonyms
Not available

Names

Regional and Traditional Names

German:

  • Mangabeira-Baum

French:

  • caoutchouc de Pernambouc

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Hancornia speciosa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Hancornia speciosa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling within the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the Apocynaceae family and is identified by the genus Hancornia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Gentianales WCVP
Family Apocynaceae WCVP
Genus Hancornia WCVP

Distribution

This plant is distributed across several key regions within Western South America. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of both Bolivia and Peru. Its range also extends significantly into the country of Brazil. Within Brazil, it is located in the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions. Together, these locations define the diverse geographical footprint of Harcornia speciosa.

Region Area Source
Western South America Bolivia WCVP
Western South America Peru WCVP
Brazil Brazil West-Central WCVP
Brazil Brazil Northeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil Southeast WCVP
Brazil Brazil North WCVP
Brazil Brazil South WCVP
Southern South America Paraguay WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Hancornia speciosa, possesses several distinct components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The leaves are frequently harvested and prepared for various topical or oral applications, often containing key bioactive compounds. Additionally, the plant produces a characteristic latex, a milky fluid that can be extracted for its specific therapeutic effects. Furthermore, the bark serves as another vital part of the plant, often used in traditional remedies due to its concentrated chemical constituents.
Plant Part Sources Consensus
leaf Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences (and other 4 sources) ★★☆☆☆

Chemicals

Hancornia speciosa has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Carotenoids, Cornoside, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Terpenes, bornesitol.

Chemicals reported in Hancornia speciosa
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Carotenoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Cornoside 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Terpenes 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
bornesitol 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
myo-inositol 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
polyphenols 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Carotenoids

  1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Cornoside

  1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

  1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Terpenes

  1. Protoplasma

bornesitol

  1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

myo-inositol

  1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

polyphenols

  1. Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences

Activities

Hancornia speciosa has 6 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Antihypertensive, Antimutagenic, Antiobesity, Antioxidant.

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Consensus
Antihyperglycemic Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antihypertensive Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antimutagenic Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antiobesity Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
Gastroprotective Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Hancornia speciosa has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antihypertensive, antihyperglycemic, gastritis, gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
antihypertensive Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
antihyperglycemic Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
gastritis Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
gastrointestinal disorders Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
neurodegenerative diseases Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
obesity Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ulcer Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
wounds Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
H. speciosa leaves Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
dichloromethane fraction Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ethanol extracts Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ethanolic extract of leaves Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ethyl acetate extract Natural product research (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆