Leucas aspera
Common leucas
Leucas aspera, commonly known as the Wild Aster or Rough-leaved Leucas, is a versatile medicinal herb found across tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, it possesses significant anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound-healing properties. This plant is frequently utilized in folk remedies to treat skin ailments, fevers, and digestive issues.
- Scientific name: Leucas aspera
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Africa
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 Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Leucas.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Leucas | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Leucas aspera, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Malayalam, it is commonly referred to as തുമ്പ (thumba), while in Marathi, it is known as तुंबी (tumbi). In Nepali, the plant is called बोकेझाार (bokejhar), and in Tamil, it is identified as முடிதும்பை (mudithumpai). Additionally, in Chinese, it is referred to as 蜂巢草 (fēngcháo cǎo).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | തുമ്പ | Wikidata |
| mr | तुंबी | Wikidata |
| ne | बोकेझार | Wikidata |
| ta | முடிதும்பை | Wikidata |
| zh | 蜂巢草 | Wikidata |
| kn | ತುಂಬೆಗಿಡ | Wikidata |
| hi | गूमा | Wikidata |
| fa | لئوکس اسپرا | Wikidata |
| as | দোৰোণ | Wikidata |
| bn | শ্বেতাদ্রোণ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical range that spans several distinct regions across Asia and Africa. In the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the state of Assam. Its presence extends to East Asia, specifically within China Southeast and the island of Hainan. Moving toward the African continent, the species is located in Northeast Tropical Africa within Eritrea. Finally, its distribution reaches the Western Indian Ocean, where it is documented in Mauritius.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Leucas aspera, is a versatile medicinal herb where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The green leaves are a primary source of bioactive compounds, often used in traditional remedies to treat various ailments. Whether studying a single leaf or the entire collection of Leaves, researchers find significant pharmacological potential within its structure. The small, white flower also plays a role in the plant's biological profile, contributing to its overall medicinal value. Furthermore, the concentrated Leaf Extracts are frequently prepared to create potent decoctions and treatments used in folk medicine.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flower | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf Extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Leucas aspera has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, phenols, tannins, (-)-chicanine, Leucasperone A.
- Total chemicals
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-chicanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leucasperone A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acacetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asperphenamate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chloroform | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Leucas aspera has 10 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antimalarial, Antiproliferative, Antipyretic.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free-Radical Scavenging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Insecticide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Leucas aspera has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Plasmodium falciparum, Breast cancer, COVID-19, Candida albicans, E. coli.
- Total uses
- 20
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Enterococcus faecalis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MDA-MB-231 cell line | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Russell's viper venom | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| analgesia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |