Helicia nilagirica
Helicia nilagirica, commonly known as a rare medicinal shrub, is an endemic species native to the Western Ghats of India. Renowned for its unique botanical properties, this plant holds significant ethnobotanical value. Research focuses on its potential bioactive compounds, offering promising prospects for developing diverse therapeutic applications in pharmacology.
- Scientific name: Helicia nilagirica
- Family: Proteaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Proteales, it is a member of the Proteaceae family. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within the genus Helicia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Proteales | WCVP |
| Family | Proteaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Helicia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Helicia nilagirica, is referred to by various common names across different linguistic contexts. In Chinese, it is known as 深绿山龙眼 (zh), 深绿山龙眼 (zh-cn), or 深緑山龍眼 (zh-tw), while it is also colloquially called 豆腐渣果 (zh). In Thailand, the plant is identified by the name เหมือดคนตัวผู้ (th).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 深绿山龙眼 | Wikidata |
| th | เหมือดคนตัวผู้ | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 深绿山龙眼 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 深緑山龍眼 | Wikidata |
| zh | 豆腐渣果 | Wikidata |
| zh | 母猪果 | Wikidata |
| zh | 豆腐渣果根 | Wikidata |
| vi | mạ sưa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning across parts of Asia. In China, its presence is specifically noted within the South-Central region. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found in Assam and throughout the East Himalaya. The species also extends into the neighboring territory of Bangladesh. Finally, its distribution reaches into the mountainous landscapes of Nepal.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Helicia nilagirica, possesses various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The leaves are often studied for their bioactive compounds and traditional therapeutic applications, while the fruit serves as a distinctive structural element of the plant's reproductive cycle. Additionally, the seeds contain specific chemical constituents that are of interest in pharmacological research, making the leaves, fruit, and seeds integral parts of the plant's medicinal profile.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Helicia nilagirica has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Compound 2, gallic acid, helicid, helicide, p-hydroxybenzaldehyde.
- Total chemicals
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Compound 2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| helicid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| helicide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| p-hydroxybenzaldehyde | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| p-hydroxybenzoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Helicia nilagirica has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Hypnotic, Sedative.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypnotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Helicia nilagirica has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, hypnotic, sedative.
- Total uses
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypnotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sedative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |