Melia dubia
Melia dubia, commonly known as Chinaberry or Malabar Neem, is a fast-growing deciduous tree prized for its versatile medicinal properties. Rich in bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to treat skin ailments, inflammation, and digestive issues. This potent plant offers significant therapeutic potential in modern herbal pharmacology and wellness.
- Scientific name: Melia dubia
- Family: Meliaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is identified by 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, scientifically known as Melia dubia, is recognized by various local names across different regions and languages. In Malayalam, it is known as മലവേപ്പ് (ml), while in Tamil, it is referred to as மலை வேம்பு (ta). Its name is transliterated in Arabic as ميليا دوبيا (arz), and in Sundanese, it is called Mindi Gedé (su). Additionally, in Chinese, the species is identified as 岭南楝树 (zh).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | മലവേപ്പ് | Wikidata |
| ta | மலை வேம்பு | Wikidata |
| arz | ميليا دوبيا | Wikidata |
| su | Mindi Gedé | Wikidata |
| zh | 岭南楝树 | Wikidata |
| te | మలాబారు వేప | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 岭南楝树 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 岭南楝樹 | Wikidata |
| ml | മലവേമ്പ് | Wikidata |
| ml | മലവേപ്പ് | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is widely distributed across several key regions within the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing throughout the diverse landscapes of India and its neighboring nation, Nepal. Specifically, its presence is well-documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species extends its reach to the island nation of Sri Lanka. Beyond the subcontinent, it is also located within the Indo-China region, specifically in Myanmar.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Melia dubia, possesses various components that are utilized for their unique biological properties. The bark is frequently harvested and studied for its medicinal potential, often containing bioactive compounds that can be used in traditional remedies. Additionally, the seeds are recognized for their specific chemical compositions, which contribute to the overall therapeutic profile of the species.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Melia dubia has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 16-hydroxybutyrospermol, C6, dubione A, dubione B, kulactone.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 16-hydroxybutyrospermol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| C6 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dubione A | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dubione B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kulactone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kulinone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methyl kulonate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Melia dubia has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include HSV-1.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| HSV-1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |