Nicotiana glauca
Nicotiana glauca · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (5 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Nicotiana glauca is a versatile plant species containing various chemical constituents such as anabasine, gallic acid, 9-octadecenal, and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone. Researchers study its medicinal potential by analyzing different plant parts, including the leaf, flower, root, and stem. Various preparations, such as crude methanolic extracts, ethanol extracts, and alkaloid fractions, are utilized to investigate its biological effects. These studies have revealed significant antioxidant, hepatoprotective, 5-HT-inhibitor, and ANS-paralytic activities. Furthermore, the plant shows promise in addressing complex conditions like cancer, inflammation, E. coli infections, and FGF-2 related processes.
- Synonyms
- Nicotiana Glauca Var. Angustifolia · Nicotiana Glauca Var. Decurrens · 4 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Leaf · Flower
Classification
Common Names
Nicotiana glauca is a plant known by a diverse array of names across various languages and regions. In English-speaking areas, it is most frequently referred to as tree tobacco, though it also carries the local moniker Buena moza. Its linguistic reach extends into German, where it is identified as Blaugrüner Strauchtabak or simply Blaugrüner Tabak. Spanish speakers may recognize the species as Tabaco moro or by the name Cacala. Additionally, the plant is sometimes referred to as Belladona, highlighting its many different cultural identities.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Nicotiana glauca is a diverse species that is frequently identified through various taxonomic synonyms in botanical literature. It is sometimes referred to by the name Nicotiana arborea, reflecting historical classification nuances. The plant also encompasses several distinct forms, such as Nicotiana glauca f. lateritia. Furthermore, researchers recognize multiple varieties, including var. angustifolia and var. decurrens. The classification is completed by the inclusion of var. grandiflora, showcasing the extensive botanical relationships associated with this species.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Nicotiana glauca is a unique member of the kingdom Plantae that exhibits fascinating biological connections. Within this vast plant kingdom, it is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It belongs to the specific order Solanales, which helps define its evolutionary path. This plant is further categorized into the genus Nicotiana, showcasing its close ties to other tobacco species. Ultimately, it resides within the Solanaceae family, a group known for its diverse and significant botanical characteristics.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Genus | Nicotiana |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Nicotiana glauca exhibits a broad and diverse distribution across various regions of the African continent. In East Tropical Africa, the species is notably established within the country of Kenya. Its presence extends significantly into the Macaronesia region, where it can be found throughout the Canary Islands. Furthermore, the plant is widely distributed across the archipelagoes of Cape Verde, Madeira, and the Selvagens. This wide geographical range highlights the adaptability of the species within these distinct island and continental environments.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Nicotiana glauca is a distinctive shrub characterized by its sturdy, self-supporting growth form. This plant typically reaches a modest height, often beginning its upward climb at around 1 meter. However, it frequently establishes a more significant presence with a minimum height of approximately 3.17 meters. In ideal growing conditions, the species can continue to expand until it reaches a maximum height of 6 meters. These varying dimensions allow it to occupy a versatile niche within its natural landscape.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Nicotiana glauca demonstrates a diverse range of biological activities that suggest significant potential for both industrial and medicinal applications. Research indicates that extracts from its leaves and branches possess potent antifungal and antimicrobial properties, making them suitable candidates for natural wood biofungicides. Furthermore, the plant exhibits strong antioxidant capabilities, particularly through the high phenolic content found in its flower extracts. Studies also highlight its antiproliferative effects against human cancer cells, showing promise in targeting neoplasia. Additionally, certain aqueous extracts of the leaves have shown hepatoprotective activity by effectively reducing total serum bilirubin levels in experimental models.
Compounds
Nicotiana glauca is a wild medicinal plant characterized by a diverse profile of bioactive secondary metabolites. Chemical analysis reveals that its leaves contain significant amounts of the piperidine alkaloid anabasine, along with hydnocarpic acid and hexahydrofarnesyl acetone. The plant's branches are also chemically rich, containing the compound 9-octadecenal. Additionally, gallic acid is present in high concentrations within the leaf extracts. These various chemical components contribute to the plant's potential as a natural source for antimicrobial and wood biofungicide applications.
Conditions
Nicotiana glauca exhibits significant therapeutic potential through its ability to inhibit the growth of the bacterium E. coli via extracts from its leaves and flowers. The plant's active principle, scopoletin, demonstrates the ability to modulate and inhibit key angiogenic factors including ERK1 and FGF-2. Furthermore, ethanol extracts derived from the leaves and branches of the plant provide effective antifungal activity against Phoma glomerata. Research also confirms that Nicotiana glauca serves as a potent agent against the fungal pathogen Fusarium circinatum. These diverse biological interactions highlight the plant's utility in both medicinal applications and wood biofungicide development.
Preparations
Nicotiana glauca is prepared as alkaloid fractions to investigate their potent anti-inflammatory properties. This plant is also prepared as boiled and non-boiled aqueous extracts, which have been evaluated for their hepatoprotective effects in treating jaundice. Researchers have prepared Nicotiana glauca as a crude methanolic extract to facilitate the fractionation of alkaloid-rich components like anabasine. Furthermore, the species is prepared as ethanol extracts (EEs) to serve as potential natural wood biofungicides against various fungi. Finally, Nicotiana glauca is prepared as a general extract to allow for bioassay-guided phytochemical investigations and the isolation of active principles like scopoletin.
Parts used
Nicotiana glauca is a versatile plant species that contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds distributed across its various anatomical structures. Research indicates that the leaves are particularly rich in alkaloids like anabasine and high concentrations of phenolic compounds. The flowers also serve as a significant source of medicinal properties, exhibiting strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Additionally, the stems contain various phytochemicals, including steroids, tannins, and flavonoids, which contribute to the plant's overall chemical complexity. While the roots do possess alkaloids, they generally contain a much lower amount of phytoconstituents compared to the other parts of the plant.