dragon's-blood-tree
Harungana madagascariensis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (51 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
Dragon's-blood-tree, scientifically known as Harungana madagascariensis, is a remarkable medicinal plant native to Madagascar. Renowned for its vibrant, resinous sap, it has been utilized in traditional healing for centuries. This versatile species offers significant therapeutic potential, particularly in treating wounds and inflammation through its unique phytochemical properties.
- Family
- Hypericaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Stem · Leaf
- Common names
- Dragon'S-Blood-Tree · Orange Milktree
- Scientific synonyms
- Haemocarpus Paniculatus · Haronga Pubescens · 10 more
Names
Common Names
- dragon's-blood-tree
- orange milktree
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Drachenblutbaum
French:
- bois harongue
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Harungana madagascariensisSynonyms
- Haemocarpus paniculatus
- Haronga pubescens
- Haronga madagascariensis var. pubescens
- Haronga madagascariensis
- Haronga ovata
- Haronga paniculata
- Haronga paniculata f. oblongifolia
- Haronga paniculata var. oblongifolia
- Harungana paniculata
- Harungana pubescens
- Harungana robynsii
- Psorospermum leonense
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malpighiales, it is classified under the family Hypericaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Harungana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Hypericaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Harungana | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern concentrated within the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Burkina. The species also inhabits parts of the Gambia and Ghana. Furthermore, its presence extends to the coastal areas of Guinea-Bissau. These locations define the primary geographical range for Harungana madagascariensis.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Harungana madagascariensis, possesses several components that are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The medicinal value is frequently derived from the stem bark and the general bark of the tree, which are often processed for decoctions. Additionally, the leaves are a primary source of bioactive compounds, with the individual leaf being studied for its specific chemical constituents. Beyond the aerial parts, the roots also play a significant role in the traditional medicinal applications of this species.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| stem | Journal of natural products (and other 6 sources) | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaf | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Harungana madagascariensis has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Harunganin, betulinic acid, ferruginin A, Flavonoids, Glycosides.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Harunganin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| betulinic acid | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ferruginin A | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Glycosides | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Harunganol C | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Kenganthranol A | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MADAGASCIN | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Harunganin
- Current drug research reviews
- Journal of natural products
betulinic acid
- Current drug research reviews
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
ferruginin A
- Journal of natural products
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Flavonoids
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Glycosides
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Harunganol C
- Journal of natural products
Kenganthranol A
- Journal of natural products
MADAGASCIN
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Saponins
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Tannins
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Activities
Harungana madagascariensis has 7 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimalarial, Antimicrobial, Antiplasmodial.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiplasmodial | Parasitology international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Spasmolytic | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Harungana madagascariensis has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, AIDS, Entamoeba histolytica, Gram-negative bacteria, anemia.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 5 sources) | ★★★☆☆ |
| AIDS | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Entamoeba histolytica | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-negative bacteria | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anemia | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | Frontiers in pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemolytic anemia | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melanoma | Current drug research reviews (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aqueous extracts of the leaf | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hexane fraction | Current drug research reviews (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous | African journal of traditional, complementary, and alternative medicines : AJTCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark extracted from palm wine by decoction | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold and hot extracts | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| crude extracts | Parasitology international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diethyl ether extract of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extract | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extracts | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |