Maytenus
Maytenus, commonly known as various species of celastrus or bindweed, belongs to the Celastraceae family. These versatile medicinal plants are valued globally for their diverse bioactive compounds. Often utilized in traditional medicine, they exhibit significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties, offering promising potential for modern pharmacological development and healing.
- Scientific name: Maytenus
- Family: Celastraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida within the subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified under the order Celastrales and the family Celastraceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Maytenus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Celastrales | WCVP |
| Family | Celastraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Maytenus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, belonging to the genus Maytenus, is known by various names depending on the linguistic context. In Chinese, it is referred to as 牛杞木属 (zh-hans and zh), while in Traditional Chinese contexts such as in Taiwan or Hong Kong, it is identified as 美登木屬 (zh-hant and zh-hk). In Lithuanian, the genus is known as Auguonis (lt).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 牛杞木属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 美登木屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 美登木屬 | Wikidata |
| lt | Auguonis | Wikidata |
| zh | 牛杞木属 | Wikidata |
| ru | майтенус | Wikidata |
| et | Maiten | Wikidata |
| ja | ハリツルマサキ属 | Wikidata |
| fi | kelastit | Wikidata |
| ar | إثرار | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several distinct regions. In the Macaronesian islands, it can be found specifically in Madeira. Its presence extends into West Tropical Africa, where it is located in Guinea, the Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. Furthermore, the species reaches into West-Central Tropical Africa, specifically within Burundi. This distribution highlights the plant's ability to thrive across various tropical and island environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Burundi | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Congo | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gabon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Gulf of Guinea Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Maytenus, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties, including its roots, leaves, and bark. The roots are often studied for their concentrated chemical compounds, while the leaves are frequently used in traditional preparations due to their bioactive constituents. Additionally, the bark serves as a vital source of secondary metabolites, contributing to the overall therapeutic potential of the species.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Maytenus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include maytansine.
- Total chemicals
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| maytansine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Maytenus has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Maytenus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HIV, tumor.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| HIV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |