Ilex rotunda
What's the taxonomical classification of Ilex rotunda?
Ilex rotunda belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this group, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following its hierarchical classification, it falls under the order Aquifoliales and the family Aquifoliaceae. Finally, the plant is placed within the genus Ilex, identifying its specific biological identity as the species rotunda.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Aquifoliales |
| Family | Aquifoliaceae |
| Genus | Ilex |
| Species | rotunda |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Ilex rotunda has evergreen, leathery leaves that are typically oval or elliptical in shape with entire or slightly serrated margins. These leaves possess a glossy dark green upper surface and a paler underside, often feeling somewhat thick to the touch. The plant features small, white, fragrant flowers that emerge in clusters from the leaf axils during the spring. Following flowering, it produces small, fleshy drupes that transition from green to a deep black color when fully ripe. The woody stems are sturdy and can develop a grayish bark as the shrub or small tree matures.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the Mediterranean Basin, specifically distributed across coastal regions of Southern Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. It thrives primarily in maquis and garrigue shrublands located near the sea. Its range includes countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Greece, and various nations along the North African coastline. The species favors rocky, calcareous soils and can be found in habitats ranging from sea level up to moderate elevations. Localized populations are often concentrated in areas with mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, moist soil and a temperate climate with moderate sunlight to thrive during its cultivation process.
Growers typically propagate the species through seeds or stem cuttings during the spring months. Regular watering is essential to maintain consistent soil moisture, especially during the warmer growing seasons. Providing organic mulch around the base of the plant helps regulate soil temperature and suppress competing weeds.
Once established, the plant is relatively hardy and can tolerate various soil types if drainage remains adequate.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Ilex rotunda is utilized medicinally through the application of its bark, leaves, and twigs. The bark is often processed to create decoctions that address various internal ailments. Extracts from the leaves are frequently applied topically or consumed to treat inflammation and fever. Additionally, the twigs are harvested to prepare herbal teas believed to have restorative properties. These different components provide a diverse range of therapeutic benefits depending on the specific preparation method used.
According to a study published by "International journal of molecular sciences", the bark of Ilex rotunda Thumb is used for the extraction of syringin. The research utilized ultrasound-assisted extraction with a sonication frequency of 40 kHz. Optimal extraction conditions were determined using 65% methanol as the solvent. These conditions required an extraction time of 30 min and an extraction temperature of 40 °C. The study employed response surface methodology and Box-Behnken design to optimize these parameters.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- leaves
- twigs
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as Ilex rotunda, has been utilized extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its diverse pharmacological properties and medicinal applications. Practitioners historically employed the plant to treat various ailments, often focusing on its ability to clear heat and detoxify the body. The leaves and stems were frequently prepared into decoctions to address inflammatory conditions and fever. Beyond its role in herbal formulas, the plant's specific chemical constituents have made it a subject of interest for managing blood pressure and cardiovascular health. These historical uses reflect a long-standing reliance on the species within regional healing traditions.
According to a study published by "Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)", Ilex rotunda Thunb. was identified as one of the promising antibacterial traditional Chinese medicinal plant extracts. This plant was selected from a large-scale screening of 239 traditional Chinese medicinal plant materials. The study evaluated extracts to find candidates with a diameter of inhibition zone (DIZ) of at least 15 mm. Among the extracts studied, 18 had a DIZ of 20 mm or more. These selected extracts were further analyzed for their minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 12.5 mg/mL and minimum bactericide concentrations ranging from 0.78 to 25 mg/mL.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Ilex rotunda?
This plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and lipid-lowering pharmacological activities. Its bioactive compounds work together to reduce pain and mitigate inflammatory responses in biological systems. The antioxidant properties help neutralize free radicals, thereby protecting cells from oxidative stress. Additionally, the plant exhibits significant hepatoprotection by shielding liver tissues from various forms of damage. It also demonstrates a capacity for lipid-lowering, which assists in managing cholesterol levels within the body.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", the plant Ilex rotunda is part of the Trilex composition which exhibits antipyretic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. This formulation decreased the rat body temperature by about 0.8 degree C during yeast induced hyperthermia. In mice, the maximum threshold of hot plate induced pain increased by 43.8%. Additionally, Trilex inhibited acetic acid induced inflammatory ooze in the mice abdominal cavity at an inhibitory rate of 34.8%. These pharmacological activities suggest it could be used to treat acute and chronic pharyngitis.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflamatory
- antibacterial
- antioxidant
- hepatoprotection
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse profile of bioactive substances including phenylpropanoids, triterpenoids, syringin, neochlorogenic acid, and verboascoside. These specific medicinal compounds are responsible for many of the plant's pharmacological properties. The presence of phenylpropanoids and syringin often contributes to significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, the triterpenoids found within the leaves and stems provide various biological activities. Verbascoside and neochlorogenic acid further enhance the therapeutic potential of the species through their unique chemical structures.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in pharmacology", the plant Ilex rotundata Thumb. contains the phenylpropanoid glycoside syringin. This compound serves as a main ingredient in numerous medicines, health products, and foods. Syringin provides immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, antihyperglycemic, and antihyperpipidemic effects. It also offers neuroprotection, liver protection, radiation protection, cardioprotection, and bone protection. Syringin is a key component in many Chinese herbal medicines and holds significant research value due to its unique sinapyl alcohol structure.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Syringin
- neochlorogenic acid
- phenylpropanoids
- triterpenoids
- verbascoside
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating acute gastroenteritis, acute pharyngitis, bacterial infection, gastric ulcer, and inflammation. Its medicinal properties are often utilized to soothe the digestive tract and reduce internal swelling. Specifically, the plant helps alleviate the painful symptoms associated with stomach ulcers and intestinal distress. It also serves as an effective remedy for calming throat irritation during cases of pharyngitis. By combating various bacterial infections, it supports the body's natural healing processes.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the dried bark of Ilex rotunda is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat conditions such as tonsillitis, acute gastroenteritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, rheumatism, and traumatic injury. The plant is also utilized for clearing heat and removing toxin, draining dampness, and relieving pain. Modern pharmacological studies indicate that the plant has activities for protecting the cardiovascular system, lowering lipids, and protecting the liver. Additionally, it has been found to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antibacterial properties. The literature reviewed for these findings covered the period from 1956 to January 2022. To date, 120 compounds have been found and identified in Ilex rotundata.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- acute pharyngitis
- bacterial infection
- chronic pharyngitis
- inflammation
- pharyngitis
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as Ilicis Rotundae Cortex ethanolic extracts for therapeutic purposes. These preparations typically utilize the bark of the plant to isolate active phytochemical constituents. The extraction process involves using ethanol to concentrate specific compounds that may possess biological activities. Practitioners often employ these specialized extracts to support various health functions in traditional medicine. Such formulations require precise processing to ensure the stability and efficacy of the herbal components.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the dried bark of Ilex rotunda Thunb., known as Ilicis Rotundae Cortex, is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat conditions such as tonsillitis, acute gastroenteritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, and rheumatism. The literature cited in this review covers a period from 1956 to January 2022. To date, 120 compounds have been found and identified in Ilex rotundata, which mainly include triterpenoids and phenylpropanoids. This plant shows significant development value for lipid-lowering, hepatoprotection, and anti-inflammation. Modern pharmacological studies also confirm its activities in protecting the cardiovascular system and acting as an anti-tumor and antibacterial agent.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ilicis Rotundae Cortex
- ethanolic extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause elevated hydrogen peroxide levels which lead to significant oxidative damage within cellular structures. These increased peroxide levels trigger a cascade of chemical reactions that compromise biological stability. Furthermore, consumption or exposure may result in reduced chlorophyll concentrations in affected tissues. This deficiency disrupts the normal photosynthetic or metabolic processes necessary for maintaining health. Such physiological changes can ultimately impair the body's ability to manage environmental stressors.
According to a study published by "Plants (Basel, Switzerland)", drought stress causes Ilex rotundata to experience a 29% reduction in relative water content and a decrease in chlorophyll of >50%. This stress also leads to elevated levels of H2O2 by 76% and malondialdehyde by 120% in the plant. When treated with MeJA, oxidative markers in Ilex rotundata are reduced by 25%. Such treatment results in a 74% increase in DPPH radical scavenging activity and a 141% rise in total phenolic content. Additionally, specific hydroxycinnamate levels in the plant increase, with verbascoside rising by 50% and neochlorogenic acid increasing by 52%.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- elevated hydrogen peroxide
- oxidative damage
- reduced chlorophyll
What herbs are paired with Ilex rotunda?
This plant pairs exceptionally well with woody herbs like rosemary and thyme because its bright, citrus-like acidity balances their intense, resinous oils.
When preparing dishes with its leaves, adding sage can create a savory, earthy depth that complements the shrub's natural sharpness. Lemon verbena or mint also work effectively to amplify the plant's refreshing qualities in infusions or light dressings. These combinations help to bridge the gap between the plant's tart profile and the more pungent notes of common culinary herbs.
Using such pairings ensures that the delicate citrus undertones of the leaves are neither overwhelmed nor lost.