chaulmoogra trees

Hydnocarpus · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (21 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Chaulmoogra trees, scientifically known as Hydnocarpus, is a genus of tropical evergreen trees renowned for their therapeutic oils. Extracted from their seeds, chaulmoogra oil has historically served as a vital treatment for leprosy and skin ailments. These resilient plants represent a significant bridge between traditional botanical medicine and modern pharmacology.

Family
Achariaceae
Native range
Asia-Temperate
Parts used
Seed
Common names
Chaulmoogra Trees
Scientific synonyms
Asteriastigma · Taraktogenos

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Hydnocarpus

Synonyms

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Malpighiales and the family Achariaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is placed within the genus Hydnocarpus.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Malpighiales
Family Achariaceae
Genus Hydnocarpus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within China, it can be found in the South-Central areas as well as across the Southeast. Additionally, its presence extends to the tropical island of Hainan. Moving to the Indian Subcontinent, the species is native to the region of Assam. Finally, it is also documented to grow within the borders of Bangladesh.

Region Area
China China South-Central
China Hainan
China China Southeast
Indian Subcontinent Assam
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh
Indian Subcontinent India
Indian Subcontinent Sri Lanka
Indo-China Cambodia
Indo-China Laos
Indo-China Myanmar

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Hydnocarpus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Plant parts reported in Hydnocarpus
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Seed 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Seed

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
  2. Hawaii medical journal

Chemicals

Hydnocarpus has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Hydnocarpin, Sterols.

Chemicals reported in Hydnocarpus
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Flavonoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hydnocarpin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Sterols 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Flavonoids

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hydnocarpin

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sterols

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Hydnocarpus has 9 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antileprotic, Antioxidant.

Activities reported in Hydnocarpus
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antibacterial 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antileprotic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antipsoriatic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antirheumatic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Antitubercular 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Hypolipidemic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antibacterial

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Anticancer

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antidiabetic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antileprotic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipsoriatic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antirheumatic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antitubercular

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hypolipidemic

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Medicinal Uses

Hydnocarpus has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include leprosy, skin diseases, ulcers, wound healing, wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Consensus
leprosy International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association (and other 2 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
skin diseases Hawaii medical journal (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
ulcers International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
wound healing International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
wounds International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆

Preparations

Preparations Sources Consensus
Seed oil Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
capsules containing oil of hydnocarpus International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
extracts Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆
oil of hydnocarpus International journal of leprosy and other mycobacterial diseases : official organ of the International Leprosy Association (and other 1 sources) ★☆☆☆☆