Melia azedarach
Persian lilac
Melia azedarach, commonly known as Chinaberry or Persian Lilac, is a versatile deciduous tree prized in traditional medicine. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, it offers therapeutic potential in treating skin conditions, parasitic infections, and inflammation. While culturally significant, its potent properties require careful handling due to inherent toxicity.
- Scientific name: Melia azedarach
- Family: Meliaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Sapindales. Finally, it is a member of the family Meliaceae and falls under the genus Melia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Meliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Melia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Melia azedarach, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In the Hakka language, it is called Khó͘-lēng, while in Chinese, it is widely recognized as 苦楝 across several linguistic variations, including Simplified Chinese (苦楝), Traditional Chinese (苦楝), Cantonese as used in Hong Kong (苦楝), and the standard Mandarin used in Mainland China (苦楝).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| nan | Khó͘-lēng | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 苦楝 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 苦楝 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 苦楝 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 苦楝 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 苦楝 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 楝 | Wikidata |
| ko | 멀구슬나무 | Wikidata |
| he | אזדרכת מצויה | Wikidata |
| to | Sita | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several regions in Europe. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing throughout France, Portugal, and Spain. Its range also extends into Southeastern Europe, where it is established in Albania. Additionally, the species is widely distributed within the country of Italy. These locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various Mediterranean-influenced climates.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Kriti | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | NW. Balkan Pen. | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known commonly as Chinaberry, possesses various components that are utilized in traditional medicine. The leaves, specifically each individual leaf, are often employed for their various bioactive properties. The bark and the roots are also significant parts of the plant, frequently used in decoctions or extracts for their therapeutic potential. Additionally, the fruits, which appear as small drupes, are a distinct feature of the species, though they must be handled with caution due to their potency.- Total parts
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 34
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| fruits | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaf | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| young roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Melia azedarach has 60 reported phytochemicals identified across 68 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, saponins, phenols, terpenoids, 1-cinnamoyltrichilinin.
- Total chemicals
- 60
- Scientific sources
- 68
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| saponins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-cinnamoyltrichilinin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 28-deacetylsendanin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 29-deacetylsendanin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5,16-pregnadien-3beta-ol-20-one acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 9alpha-hydroxyfraxinellone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cedrelone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Melia azedarach has 14 reported activities identified across 33 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anthelmintic.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 33
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antilithic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Melia azedarach has 49 reported medicinal uses identified across 55 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, Staphylococcus aureus, asthma, cancer, inflammation.
- Total uses
- 49
- Scientific sources
- 55
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Enterobacter aerogenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |