Lycium shawii
Lycium shawii · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (2 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Lycium shawii is a medicinal plant recognized for its diverse pharmacological potential in treating various biological conditions. Scientific investigations into its crude and hydroalcoholic extracts have revealed a rich profile of bioactive chemicals, including flavonoids, fatty acids, quinoline, and saponins. These compounds contribute to significant antibacterial and antimalarial activities, making the plant a subject of interest for combating infectious diseases. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates notable antioxidant activity and possesses the ability to influence processes such as inflammation and melanogenesis. Consequently, the therapeutic properties of Lycium shawii offer promising avenues for developing new treatments for malaria and inflammatory disorders.
- Synonyms
- Lycium Mediterraneum Var. Cinereum · Lycium Mediterraneum Var. Leptophyllum · 20 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Not available
Classification
Common Names
Lycium shawii is a versatile shrub known by a diverse array of regional and descriptive names. It is widely recognized as the African Honeythorn, a title that highlights its specific ecological presence. In many parts of the Middle East, the plant is frequently referred to as the Arabian boxthorn or the Arabian desert-thorn. More simply, it is often just called Boxthorn or Desert-thorn due to its characteristic appearance. These various monikers reflect the plant's widespread distribution across different arid landscapes.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Lycium shawii is a complex species that is frequently identified by various botanical synonyms in scientific literature. For instance, it is often documented under the name Lycium abeliiflorum or referred to as Lycium albiflorum. Researchers may also encounter this plant labeled as Lycium cufodontii depending on the specific taxonomic study being cited. Additionally, the species has been historically categorized as Lycium ellenbeckii in different collections. Finally, the name Lycium erythraeum serves as another recognized synonym within its diverse botanical profile.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Lycium shawii is a distinctive member of the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological realm, the species is categorized under the class Equisetopsida. It belongs to the specific genus Lycium, which highlights its unique evolutionary lineage. Further classification places it within the order Solanales, showcasing its structural connections to related plants. Finally, it is a recognized member of the Solanaceae family, linking it to a diverse group of botanical relatives.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Genus | Lycium |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Lycium shawii is a plant species with a broad geographical presence across various regions of Africa. Its distribution spans much of East Tropical Africa, including notable populations within Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Beyond these eastern territories, the species also extends into Northeast Tropical Africa. Specifically, it can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Djibouti and Eritrea. This wide range highlights the plant's adaptability to the diverse environments found throughout these African nations.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Lycium shawii is a self-supporting plant that takes the form of a resilient shrub. Depending on its environment, this species can vary significantly in its physical dimensions. While it may occasionally reach a modest minimum height of 1 meter, it often establishes itself more robustly at 2.5 meters. For many specimens, a minimum height of 2.5 meters serves as a standard developmental milestone. Ultimately, this shrub can reach a maximum height of 4.5 meters as it matures.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Lycium shawii, a shrub traditionally used in various regions to treat a wide range of ailments, has demonstrated significant biological potential in recent studies. Research into its various extracts has revealed a promising antimalarial activity, particularly in the water extract which inhibits β-hematin formation. This effectiveness is largely attributed to a rich presence of bioactive phytochemicals, including quinoline and flavonoids. While the plant also exhibits antibacterial activity, these effects were found to be relatively weak against specific pathogens such as MRSA and P. aeruginosa. Ultimately, these findings underscore the importance of further exploring Lycium shawii as a potential source for developing novel therapeutic compounds.
Compounds
Lycium shawii is a medicinal halophyte that possesses a diverse and potent chemical profile. Detailed phytochemical analyses of its extracts have confirmed the presence of essential compounds, including flavonoids and saponins. Furthermore, the plant contains significant amounts of fatty acids, which contribute to its complex metabolic makeup. The aqueous extract is particularly notable for its rich concentration of quinoline, a component linked to its promising antimalarial potential. Together, these bioactive constituents support the traditional medicinal uses of the plant and highlight its value in therapeutic research.
Conditions
Lycium shawii is traditionally utilized to treat a myriad of ailments across various regions. Research indicates that the plant's extracts can modulate melanogenesis by treating TRP-2 and other related proteins. Furthermore, the species has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties through the minor inhibition of nitric oxide production. The plant also exhibits antibacterial activity, specifically showing substantial effectiveness against Bacillus cereus ATCC 10876.
Preparations
Lycium shawii is prepared as crude extracts using water, ethanol, methanol, and acetone to investigate its comprehensive chemical profile and biological activities. The plant is also prepared as an extract to test for synergistic or antagonistic effects when combined with antibiotics like Aztreonam against specific bacteria. Various research studies utilize Lycium shawii extracts to evaluate medicinal properties such as antimalarial potential and hypoglycaemic activity. Furthermore, Lycium shawii is prepared as hydroalcoholic extracts to analyze high concentrations of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and antioxidant capabilities. These different preparations of the plant allow for the assessment of its antiproliferative and antibacterial properties across various biological assays.