Nicotiana tabacum
Tobacco
Nicotiana tabacum, commonly known as tobacco, is a prominent member of the Solanaceae family. While widely recognized for its commercial cultivation, this plant holds significant historical and pharmacological importance. It contains nicotine, a potent alkaloid that serves as both a natural insecticide and a complex subject in medicinal studies.
- Scientific name: Nicotiana tabacum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, Nicotiana tabacum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, falling under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Nicotiana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Nicotiana | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Nicotiana tabacum, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In German, it is referred to as Virginischer Tabak, while in Catalan, it is known as tabaquera. It is called tabák virginský in Czech and Tobaka in Czechia (specifically in certain dialects/contexts), and in Estonian, the plant is called Vääristubakas.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Virginischer Tabak | Wikidata |
| ca | tabaquera | Wikidata |
| cs | tabák virginský | Wikidata |
| csb | Tobaka | Wikidata |
| et | Vääristubakas | Wikidata |
| eu | Tabako | Wikidata |
| fi | virginiantupakka | Wikidata |
| fr | tabac commun | Wikidata |
| gu | તમાકુ | Wikidata |
| ht | Tabak | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread presence across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes the territories of Denmark and Great Britain. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found growing within the borders of Austria and Belgium. Furthermore, its range extends into the central regions of Czechia-Slovakia. Collectively, these locations highlight the diverse geographical footprint of Nicotiana tabacum across these specific countries.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Netherlands | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Switzerland | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Corse | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Nicotiana tabacum, possesses several distinct morphological components that contribute to its chemical profile. The most economically and medicinally significant parts are the leaves, specifically the mature tobacco leaves which serve as the primary site for alkaloid accumulation. On a microscopic level, the surface of each leaf is covered in specialized glandular trichome secretions that play a crucial role in the plant's defense and chemical synthesis. Furthermore, the plant's physiological processes are supported by its underground root tissue, which facilitates the uptake of nutrients necessary for the development of its bioactive compounds.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 14
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tobacco leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root tissue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glandular trichome secretions | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Nicotiana tabacum has 172 reported phytochemicals identified across 245 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include nicotine, flavonoids, solanesol, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, N'-nitrosonornicotine.
- Total chemicals
- 172
- Scientific sources
- 245
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| nicotine | 23 | ★★★★★ |
| flavonoids | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| solanesol | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| N'-nitrosonornicotine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anabasine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| chlorophyll | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| dammarenediol-II | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Nicotiana tabacum has 10 reported activities identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Mutagenic, Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mutagenic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Carcinogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hallucinogen | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Phytoalexin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Psychoactive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Nicotiana tabacum has 67 reported medicinal uses identified across 89 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oral cancer, lung cancer, tobacco mosaic virus, cell death, drought.
- Total uses
- 67
- Scientific sources
- 89
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oral cancer | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tobacco mosaic virus | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cell death | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| drought | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| biotic stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heat stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leishmaniasis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |