Oroxylum indicum
What's the taxonomical classification of Oroxylum indicum?
Oroxylum indicum belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant follows the order Lamiales and is a member of the family Bignoniaceae. At the most specific levels of its biological classification, it is identified by the genus Oroxylum and the species indicum.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Lamiales |
| Family | Bignoniaceae |
| Genus | Oroxylum |
| Species | indicum |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Oroxylum indicum has a medium-sized tree habit characterized by pinnately compound leaves, small yellowish flowers, and small, fleshy, ellipsoidal fruits. The leaves are composed of several pairs of leaflets that are typically elliptical or oblong in shape with entire margins. Its flowers are arranged in small panicles and possess five petals that contribute to a delicate appearance. The fruit develops into a small drupe that contains a single seed, aiding in its dispersal within its native habitat. The bark and woody stems exhibit a sturdy structure typical of many members of the Rutaceae family.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, specifically found in countries such as India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southern China. It thrives primarily in moist, deciduous forests and evergreen habitats located within these warm climates. The species is often distributed along river valleys and hilly terrains where soil moisture is consistently available. Its presence is typically limited to specific ecological niches that provide the necessary humidity and temperature profiles for its growth. Consequently, its range is restricted to these particular latitudinal belts in the Eastern Hemisphere.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Oroxylum indicum requires well-drained, loamy soil and a warm, humid subtropical climate to thrive during its cultivation process.
Growers must ensure the saplings receive consistent moisture while avoiding waterlogged conditions that lead to root rot. It is essential to provide partial shade during the early stages of growth to protect young plants from intense direct sunlight. Once established, the plant is relatively hardy but benefits from regular organic fertilization to support its woody structure.
Maintaining a stable environment is key to ensuring the quality of the bark used for medicinal purposes.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Oroxylum indicum provides medicinal benefits through the use of its bark, leaves, roots, seeds, and stems. The bark and stem are frequently utilized in traditional remedies to address various inflammatory conditions. Extracts from the leaves are often applied for their specific therapeutic properties in local healing practices. The roots contain potent compounds that are harvested for their distinct pharmacological effects. Additionally, the seeds can be processed to contribute to the plant's overall medicinal utility.
According to a study published by "Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine", the root and root bark of Oroxylum indicum are used as ingredients in the preparation of the composite herbal formulation Dashamoolarishta. The investigation focused on comparing the chemo-profiles and biological activities of hydro-alcoholic (HA) and aqueous (Aq) extracts from various plant parts. Mass spectral profiles of the HA and Aq extracts from the stem, leaf, bark, and root revealed markers such as oroxylin A and chrysin. In vitro biological activities were studied through immuno-stimulation (IS) in RAW264.7 cells and anticancer activity in TNF-α ELISA in THP-1 cells. The results suggest that the roots and bark can be replaced with the stem of young plants and leaves to facilitate conservation.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- leaf
- root
- seed
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Oroxylum indicum has been utilized for centuries across various traditional medical systems including Ayurveda, Unani, and Bangladeshi folk medicine to treat various ailments. In the Ayurvedic system, it is often employed to address digestive issues and inflammatory conditions. Practitioners of Unani medicine have historically used its components to manage fever and skin disorders. In the context of Bangladeshi folk medicine, local communities frequently apply the plant to treat malaria and other febrile illnesses. These diverse traditional practices highlight the long-standing medicinal importance of the species in South Asian healing traditions.
According to a study published by "Pharmacognosy research", Oroxylum indicum Vent. (OI) is widely found throughout the Asian sub-continent including India. This plant is used extensively in different forms of Indian traditional medicine like Ayurveda and Unani. In research involving Wistar rats treated with Gentamicin at 80mg/kg for 7 days, the methanol-dicloro-methane (1:1) extracts of the OI whole plant were administered at 200 mg/kg (p.o) for 7 days. The OI whole plant extract significantly attenuated nephrotoxicity by elevation of body weight, CAT, GPx, and SOD, or lowering urine LDH and creatinine, serum urea, serum creatinine, and LPO. The histopathological score of the OI treated group was 2+ compared to 4+ in the toxic group.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ayurveda
- Bangladeshi folk medicine
- Unani
What are the pharmacological activities of Oroxylum indicum?
This plant has significant pharmacological activities including anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial properties. Its diverse chemical constituents allow it to combat the uncontrolled growth of malignant cells through potent anti-tumor and anti-cancer mechanisms. The plant also serves as a natural defense by neutralizing harmful free radicals via its anti-oxidant capabilities. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory effects help reduce swelling and pain in various biological systems. Finally, the presence of bioactive compounds provides essential anti-microbial actions against various pathogenic organisms.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Oroxylum indicum is a versatile medicinal plant where almost every part is reported to possess a wide range of pharmacological activities. Many of the important bioactivities of this plant are related to its most abundant bioactive constituent, baicalein. A systematic review of 20 articles searched from databases up to 31 March 2020 reported the biological activities and therapeutic potential of baicalein originating from Oroxylum indicum. These documented effects include anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-hyperglycemia, neurogenesis, cardioprotective, anti-adipogenesis, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing effects. Despite these findings, there is currently a scarcity of evidence regarding the efficacy of this natural active compound in human clinical studies.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-cancer
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-oxidant
- anti-tumor
- anti-microbial
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds Oroxin A, Oroxin B, Oroxylin A, Scutelarein, and Baiicalin. These specific bioactive molecules are primarily categorized as flavones and flavones derivatives found within the plant's chemical structure. Researchers study these substances for their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. The presence of such diverse phytochemicals contributes to the traditional medicinal uses of the species. Understanding the concentration of these compounds helps determine the plant's overall therapeutic efficacy.
According to a study published by "Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias", Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz contains the effective flavonoid component Oroxin A. This compound was tested using an oleic acid-induced A549 cell injury model divided into 3 groups: control, OA, and OA + Oroxin A. After treatment with Oroxin A, the levels of IL-1β, IL-18, and LDH released were significantly lower than the OA group. The research found that Oroxin A can inhibit the expression of pyroptosis-related protein and mRNA. Additionally, the surfactant protein C (SPC) level in the OA + Oroxin A group was significantly higher than in the OA group.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Oroxin A
- Oroxin B
- Oroxylin A
- Scutellarein
- Baicalin
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating digestive disorder, asthma, arthritis, cancer, and inflammation. Its medicinal properties are often harnessed to soothe gastrointestinal issues and reduce internal swelling. Practitioners also utilize its compounds to manage the respiratory distress associated with asthma. Furthermore, the plant's bioactive constituents are studied for their potential to mitigate the pain of arthritis and combat cancerous cell growth. These diverse applications highlight the significant therapeutic role of Oroxylum indicum in traditional medicine.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Oroxylum indicum is recognized as one of the established medicinal plants in the Indian System of medicine. This plant is part of a recorded group of 145 medicinal plants used by the Zeliangrong tribes to treat about 59 different health ailments. These ailments are categorized under 13 ICPC disease categories. The study suggests that the indigenous knowledge of such species may be valuable for pharmacological experimentation regarding uses like malaria, health tonic, cancer, jaundice, hypertension and diabetes.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- asthma
- bronchitis
- diabetes
- diarrhea
- gastric ulcers
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations including a 95% alcohol extract, Dashamoolarishta, decoction, kashaya, and maceration with ethanol. These diverse forms allow for different methods of extracting the bioactive compounds found within the plant material. For instance, the kashaya and decoction processes involve boiling the plant in water to concentrate its properties. Dashamoolarishta serves as a fermented liquid preparation that utilizes specific traditional processing techniques. Additionally, maceration with ethanol and the use of a 95% alcohol extract provide highly concentrated solutions for various therapeutic applications.
According to a study published by "Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine", the root and root bark of Oroxylum indicum are used as one of the ingredients in the preparation of the composite herbal formulation Dashamoolarishta. This use leads to over exploitation of the plant due to excessive demand from population expansion and its perceived importance in traditional remedies. To study its properties, hydro-alcoholic (HA) and aqueous (Aq) extracts of various plant parts were prepared and analyzed using (LC-MS/MS). The mass spectral profile revealed markers such as oroxylin A and chrysin in the HA and Aq extracts of the stem, leaf, bark, and root. Research involving in vitro immuno-stimulation in RAW264.7 cells and in vitro anticancer activity in TNF-α ELISA in THP-1 cells showed cytokine release and TNF-α secretion in both extract types. The results suggest that the roots and bark of Oroxylum indicum can be replaced with the stem of young plants and leaves for conservation purposes.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 95% alcohol extract
- Dashamoolarishta
- decoction
- kashaya
- maceration with ethanol
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can induce DNA single-strand scission and cause increased ornithine decarboxylase activity in biological systems. These specific physiological changes occur due to the presence of bioactive compounds within its chemical structure. The induction of DNA single-strand scission indicates potential genotoxicity that may impact cellular stability. Furthermore, the elevation of ornithine decarboxylase activity suggests a disruption in polyamine metabolism. Such biochemical alterations highlight the significant potential risks associated with the plant's consumption.
According to a study published by "Mutation research", a nitrosated Oroxylum indicum Vent fraction showed mutagenic properties toward Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100. Oral administration of this fraction at doses of 1 and 2 g/kg body weight induced dose-dependent DNA single-strand scission in the stomach pyloric mucosa 2 h after administration, with the 2 g/kg dose causing an 18-fold increase in the DNA elution rate constant (p less than 0.02). Doses ranging from 0.7 to 2.8 g/kg body weight also induced dose-dependent increases in replicative DNA synthesis of up to 11-fold (p less than 0.05) 16 h after administration. Furthermore, doses between 0.25 and 2.0 g/kg body weight induced dose-dependent increases in ornithine decarboxylase activity of up to 100-fold, reaching a maximum 4 h after administration. These findings demonstrate that the nitrosated Oroxylum indicum Vent fraction possesses genotoxic and cell proliferative activity in the stomach pyloric mucosa of rats.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- DNA single-strand scission
- increased ornithine decarboxylase activity
What herbs are paired with Oroxylum indicum?
This plant Oroxylum indicum is frequently paired with herbs such as Glycyrrhiza glabra, Panax ginseng, and various types of ginger to enhance its medicinal efficacy.
These combinations are traditionally utilized in decoctions to balance the plant's bitter profile while boosting its anti-inflammatory properties. Adding licorice root often helps to harmonize the different herbal components within a complex formula. Ginger is sometimes included to improve the digestion and absorption of the active alkaloids found in the stem bark.
Such strategic pairings are essential in traditional pharmacopeia to optimize the therapeutic outcomes for patients.