Jatropha curcas
Jatrophas curcas, commonly known as physic nut, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to the tropics. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to treat skin infections, inflammation, and digestive ailments. Beyond medicine, its seeds serve as a significant source of renewable biofuel and vegetable oil.
- Scientific name: Jatropha curcas
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Africa
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 Euphorbiaceae and the genus Jatropha.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Euphorbiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Jatropha | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions. In Macaronesia, its presence is specifically noted in Cape Verde. Moving toward the mainland, it is found within West Tropical Africa in several different nations. These locations include Benin, Burkina, and the Gambia. Additionally, the species can be located within the territory of Guinea-Bissau.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
Chemicals
Jatropha curcas has 30 reported phytochemicals identified across 46 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, apigenin.
- Total chemicals
- 30
- Scientific sources
- 46
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| IBA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Jatropham | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Jatropha curcas has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimycotic, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimycotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Jatropha curcas has 25 reported medicinal uses identified across 27 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, malaria, Ascaris Lumbricoides, Aspergillus niger, Bacillus.
- Total uses
- 25
- Scientific sources
- 27
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ascaris Lumbricoides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Necator americanus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |