Lophopetalum wallichii
Lophopetalum wallichii · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (0 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Lophopetalum wallichii is a botanical species that holds significant interest due to its unique chemical composition. Research indicates that the plant contains important bioactive compounds, specifically betulin and lupeol. Scientific studies often focus on the stem and stem bark to isolate these valuable substances. Common laboratory preparations include chloroform-soluble extracts derived from the mixed stems and stem bark, as well as extracts from the stems alone. Understanding these chemical profiles provides essential insights into the plant's potential pharmacological applications.
- Synonyms
- Solenospermum Wallichii
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Celastraceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Stem
Classification
Synonyms
Lophopetalum wallichii is a botanical species that is frequently identified in scientific literature by its synonym, Solenospermum wallichii. This nomenclatural connection ensures that researchers can accurately track the plant across various historical and modern databases. Understanding these synonymous relationships is essential for maintaining consistency in taxonomic studies and plant conservation efforts. While the names may differ depending on the classification system used, they refer to the exact same biological entity. Recognizing these links helps botanists navigate the complexities of plant naming conventions with greater precision.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Lophopetalum wallichii is a distinctive botanical specimen belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast realm, it is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further falls into the order Celastrales, showcasing its specific evolutionary lineage. This plant is a member of the Celastraceae family, which highlights its unique biological characteristics. Ultimately, its precise identity is defined by its placement within the genus Lophopetalum.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Celastrales |
| Family | Celastraceae |
| Genus | Lophopetalum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Lophopetalum wallichii is a notable species primarily distributed throughout the tropical regions of Asia. Its natural range spans across various parts of Indo-China, including the lush landscapes of Cambodia and Laos. The plant can also be found thriving in the diverse environments of Myanmar and Thailand. Additionally, its presence extends to the unique ecosystems found within the Andaman Islands. This broad geographic footprint highlights the species' adaptability to different tropical habitats across the continent.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Lophopetalum wallichii is a magnificent tree that stands as a prominent feature of its ecosystem. This species is entirely self-supporting, maintaining a sturdy and upright growth form.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Compounds
Lophopetalum wallichii serves as a rich source of various bioactive lupane-type triterpenes. Through the process of activity-guided fractionation of its stem extracts, researchers have successfully isolated several key compounds. Specifically, the plant was found to contain the known triterpenes betulin and lupeol. These chemical constituents were identified alongside other derivatives during the investigation into farnesyl protein transferase inhibitory activity. Understanding the presence of these specific compounds helps clarify the complex chemical profile of this botanical species.
Conditions
Lophopetalum wallichii contains chloroform-soluble extracts from its stems and bark that possess inhibitory activity against farnesyl protein transferase (FPTase). Through activity-guided fractionation, several lupane-type triterpenes were isolated, including ochraceolide A, ochraceolide B, betulin, and lupeol. Among these compounds, ochraceolide A and ochraceolide B demonstrated significant inhibitory potency in the FPTase bioassay system. Specifically, ochraceolide B exhibited a highly potent IC50 value of 0.7 microgram/mL, while ochraceolide A followed with a value of 1.0 microgram/mL. In contrast, lupeol showed only weak activity, and no significant inhibition was observed for betulin or the other derivatives tested.
Preparations
Lophopetalum wallichii is prepared as chloroform-soluble extracts of the mixed stems and stem bark. This plant is also prepared as chloroform-soluble extracts of the stems. Both of these specific preparations have been utilized in studies regarding farnesyl protein transferase inhibitory activity. These extracts serve as the basis for isolating various lupane-type triterpenes. Through these preparation methods, researchers identified key compounds like ochraceolide A and B.
Parts used
Lophopetalum wallichii serves as a significant source of bioactive chemical compounds, particularly within its stem structure. Researchers have focused on chloroform-soluble extracts derived from the stems and mixed stem bark to identify potent biological agents. These studies successfully isolated several lupane-type triterpenes, including ochraceolide A and B, through activity-guided fractionation. Notably, these stem-derived compounds demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against the farnesyl protein transferase enzyme. Such findings highlight the therapeutic potential residing within the various parts of this plant.