Jatropha gossypiifolia
Jatrophia gossypiifolia, commonly known as bedstraw apple or gray elder, is a versatile medicinal shrub found across tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues, offering significant potential for modern pharmacological research and development.
- Scientific name: Jatropha gossypiifolia
- Family: Euphorbiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within 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 specific geographical distribution concentrated within the tropical regions of Africa and its surrounding islands. In the Macaronesian region, it can be found growing in Cape Verde. Its presence extends significantly across West Tropical Africa, where it inhabits various territories. Specifically, it is documented in countries such as Burkina, Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. Additionally, the species is well-established within the borders of Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | 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 | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
Chemicals
Jatropha gossypiifolia has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, isoorientin, isovitexin, quercetin, steroids.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| isoorientin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isovitexin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sugars | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vitexin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-genistein-8-C-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Jatropha gossypiifolia has 13 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, Antibacterial, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Genotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticoagulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antithrombotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Jatropha gossypiifolia has 27 reported medicinal uses identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include snakebites, E. coli, Helicobacter pylori, analgesic, antidiabetic.
- Total uses
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| snakebites | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiarrheal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catalase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| contraception | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |