Nauclea officinalis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sarcocephalus officinalis
• Nauclea brunnea

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Gentianales, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family. Its taxonomic identity is further defined by its placement in the genus Nauclea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several key regions across Asia. In China, its presence is specifically noted in Hainan and throughout China Southeast. Moving into the Indo-China region, the species can be found growing in the landscapes of Cambodia. It also maintains a significant presence within the borders of Laos. Finally, its natural range extends into the tropical environments of Thailand.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Nauclea orientalis is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the majority of the vegetative buds are located on permanent woody branches well above the ground. Within this botanical framework, the plant exhibits specific life form variations, functioning primarily as a phanerophyte and occasionally displaying traits associated with nanophanerophytes, depending on its environmental development and structural maturity. As a perennial woody species, its life cycle involves the establishment of a robust permanent structure that allows it to persist through various seasonal changes, maintaining its photosynthetic capacity through elevated, perennial branching systems.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Nauclea orientalis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree that functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. It is an independent organism, not acting as a parasite or an epiphyte, and is classified as a terrestrial plant rather than an aquatic or semiaquatic species. In terms of stature, it is a substantial woody plant that can reach a mean height of approximately 33 m, with a recorded maximum height of up to 30 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

30 m

Plant height mean:

33 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Nauclea occidentalis is characterized by its specialized metabolic and anatomical processes adapted to tropical environments. A fundamental aspect of its energy production is its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C3 mechanism; this involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide by the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle, a process typical of many woody tropical species that thrive in humid, shaded, or semi-shaded forest understories. This C3 pathway dictates the plant's water-use efficiency and temperature sensitivity, as it relies on maintaining open stomata for gas exchange, which necessitates a balance between carbon assimilation and transpiration. Furthermore, the plant's physiological vigor is supported by an efficient vascular system capable of transporting water and nutrients through its woody tissues, facilitating the synthesis of complex secondary metabolites, such as indole alkaloids, which are central to its biological activity.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Nauclea orientalis is characterized by the production of small, specialized seeds that facilitate dispersal within its tropical habitat. The reproductive output is marked by high precision in seed size, with a documented seed mass of 3e-04 g. This measurement is consistent across the species' reproductive cycle, as the seed mass mean, maximum, and minimum values are all recorded at exactly 3e-04 g. This uniformity in seed mass suggests a highly stable reproductive strategy, ensuring that each seed carries a standardized amount of resources to support early seedling development upon germination.

Seed mass mean:

3e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Nauclea officinalis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Bioorganic chemistry
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Natural product research
4. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Stem

1. Bioorganic chemistry
2. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
3. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4. Natural product research

Chemicals

Nauclea officinalis has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pumiloside, Strictosamide, Angustine, Angustoline, Flavonoids.

Pumiloside

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Strictosamide

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Angustine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Angustoline

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Flavonoids

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Glycosides

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Iridoid

1. Fitoterapia

Iridoids

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Kelampayoside A

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Naucleamide G

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Activities

Nauclea officinalis has 2 reported activities identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antiviral.

Antibacterial

1. Chinese medicine

Antiviral

1. Chinese medicine

Medicinal Uses

Nauclea officinalis has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, fever.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations