Blushred Teacost

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Blushred Teacost

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Isodon henryi var. dichromophyllus
• Plectranthus rubescens
• Rabdosia rubescens
• Plectranthus ricinispermus
• Rabdosia rubescens f. lushanensis
• Plectranthus dichromophyllus
• Rabdosia rubescens var. lushiensis
• Rabdosia rubescens var. taihangensis
• Rabdosia ricinisperma
• Rabdosia dichromophylla
• Isodon rubescens var. eglandulosus
• Isodon ricinispermus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Isodon.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Isodon rubescens, exhibits a specific regional presence across various parts of the country. Its natural habitat extends into the diverse landscapes of China South-Central. Additionally, the species can be found growing within the territories of China North-Central. The geographical range is further supplemented by its distribution in China Southeast. Together, these regions define the primary areas where this medicinal plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Isodon rubescens is characterized by its development as a perennial woody species, fitting within the broader classification of phanerophytes due to its significant height and structural complexity, though its growth patterns can occasionally reflect life form traits such as chamaephyte or hemicryptophyte in specific environmental stressors or juvenile stages. As a slow-growing hardwood, its life cycle begins with seed germination in moist, well-drained soils, typically in bottomland hardwood forests or floodplains. During its establishment phase, the plant focuses on developing a robust root system and a sturdy trunk, gradually transitioning from a sapling to a mature canopy tree. Its reproductive strategy involves the production of small, inconspicuous flowers that facilitate pollination, eventually yielding small, dry fruits that aid in dispersal. Throughout its long lifespan, the plant maintains a consistent physiological presence, contributing to the forest structure through its dense timber and specialized ecological niche, eventually reaching a climax state in stable forest ecosystems.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Isodon rubescens is characterized by its growth habit as a self-supporting clamberer, utilizing its structural integrity to ascend without the strict necessity of an external host. It functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite, maintaining its own nutritional processes without relying on a host plant for sustenance. Furthermore, while it may occupy various niches within its ecosystem, it is categorized as a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte, establishing its root systems in the soil to support its developmental structure.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Isodon rubescens has 2 reported plant parts identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Organic & biomolecular chemistry
4. Phytochemistry
5. Planta medica

Seed

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Isodon rubescens has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Oridonin, OLEANOLIC ACID, Ponicidin, Flavonoids, Pedalitin.

Oridonin

1. Journal of separation science
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of proteomics
5. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

OLEANOLIC ACID

1. Food chemistry
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
3. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Ponicidin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. International immunopharmacology
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flavonoids

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Pedalitin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Ursolic acid

1. Food chemistry
2. Phytochemical analysis : PCA

quercetin

1. Journal of natural products
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

5,3',4'-Trihydroxy-6,7,8-trimethoxyflavone

1. Journal of natural products

6-Epiangustifolin

1. Journal of natural products

Bisrubescensin A

1. Organic letters

Activities

Isodon rubescens has 6 reported activities identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antitumor, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antitumor

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of proteomics
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. ACS biomaterials science & engineering

Antibacterial

1. Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. International journal of nanomedicine

Anticancer

1. Journal of proteomics
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. PloS one

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. PloS one

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemopreventive

1. Journal of proteomics

Medicinal Uses

Isodon rubescens has 16 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, Colitis-Associated Cancer, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations