French physicnut
Jatropha multifida · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (34 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
French physicnut, scientifically known as Jatrophha multifida, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its striking red flowers, this plant is traditionally utilized in folk medicine to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. Its bioactive compounds offer significant potential for contemporary pharmacological research and development.
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Stem · Root
- Common names
- French Physicnut · Spanish Physicnut · 1 more
- Scientific synonyms
- Adenoropium Multifidum · Manihot Multifida
Names
Common Names
- French physicnut
- Spanish physicnut
- St. Vincent physicnut
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Peregrina
- Planta de coral
- Tartago emético
German:
- Korallen-Purgiernuß
French:
- Arbre corail
- Médicinier d'Espagne
- Jatropha janipha
- Arbre Corail
- sept branches du dragon
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Jatropha multifidaSynonyms
- Adenoropium multifidum
- Manihot multifida
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Malpighiales and the family Euphorbiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established 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 broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Africa. Within the Macaronesian islands, it can be found growing in Cape Verde. Its presence extends into West Tropical Africa, specifically within the territories of Gambia, Guinea, and Togo. Furthermore, the species reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it is located in the Central African Republic. Together, these locations highlight the plant's wide range across the tropical and subtropical zones of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Angola | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Jatropha multifida, possesses several components that are utilized in traditional medicinal practices. The entire structure, including the woody stems and the more slender stems of younger growth, contains specialized tissues. Within these parts, one can find a milky latex that is often characteristic of the genus. Furthermore, the plant's medicinal potential is often derived from its deeper structures, specifically through the use of the yellow rootbark and the dense rootwood, which are harvested for their therapeutic properties.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| stem | Journal of natural medicines (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Jatropha multifida has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid, CHLOROFORM, Coumarins, ETHYL ACETATE, Flavonoids.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Hydroxybenzoic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHLOROFORM | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coumarins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ETHYL ACETATE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HEXANE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Proanthocyanidin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Saponins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
2-Hydroxybenzoic acid
- Life (Basel, Switzerland)
CHLOROFORM
- Fitoterapia
Coumarins
- Journal of natural medicines
ETHYL ACETATE
- Fitoterapia
Flavonoids
- F1000Research
HEXANE
- Fitoterapia
Proanthocyanidin
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Saponins
- F1000Research
Tannins
- F1000Research
methanol
- Fitoterapia
Activities
Jatropha multifida has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | F1000Research (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Life (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Jatropha multifida has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, antimalarial, melanogenesis, neurodegenerative disease, schistosomiasis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | Current pharmaceutical biotechnology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antimalarial | BMC complementary and alternative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melanogenesis | Journal of natural medicines (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative disease | BioMed research international (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| schistosomiasis | Journal of parasitology research (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| latex | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |