Periploca sepium
What's the taxonomical classification of Periploca sepium?
Periploca sepium belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Gentianaales. This plant is a representative of the family Apocynaceae, falling under the genus Periploca, and is specifically identified by the species name sepium.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Periploca |
| Species | sepium |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Periploca sepium has opposite, elliptical leaves that measure five to twelve centimeters in length and feature prominent, parallel veins on their undersides. The plant typically grows as a deciduous shrub or small tree reaching heights of up to five meters. Its bark is smooth and greyish, often marked by horizontal lenticels. Small, white, four-petaled flowers appear in terminal panicles during the summer months. Following flowering, the plant produces small, round, fleshy berries that turn dark purple or black when ripe.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the temperate regions of Europe and western Asia, extending from the British Isles through central Europe to the Caucasus and parts of the Middle East. It typically thrives in moist, shaded environments such as riverbanks, woodland edges, and damp ravines. Its range is heavily influenced by the availability of riparian habitats where the soil remains consistently humid. While it is widespread across much of the European continent, its density varies depending on local moisture levels and forest cover. This distribution pattern ensures it remains a common component of deciduous woodland ecosystems across its primary territory.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, fertile soil and partial shade to thrive in a garden setting.
It is a vigorous evergreen climber that performs best when given a sturdy trellis or support structure for its woody stems. Regular watering is necessary during the establishment phase, though the mature plant is relatively drought tolerant once its root system is deep. Pruning should be done in late winter to manage its spreading growth habit and encourage fresh foliage.
Because it grows rapidly, it can quickly become invasive if not properly contained within a designated area.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Periploca sepium is utilized medicinally through its bark, fruit, and leaves. The bark is often processed to create decoctions used for treating various skin ailments and internal inflammations. Its leaves contain specific phytochemicals that can be extracted for their potential therapeutic properties in traditional remedies. Additionally, the fruit is sometimes employed in folk medicine to address digestive issues or other specific health concerns. Each of these components offers unique chemical profiles that contribute to the plant's overall medicinal utility.
According to a study published by "Chemical & pharmaceuatical bulletin", the bark of Periploca sepium is used as a source of medicinal compounds. From the Periploceae Radicis Cortex, six pregnane glycosides and three cardenolides were isolated as differentiation inducers using mouse myeloid leukemia (Ml) cells. These nine compounds were studied for their ability to induce differentiation, with the cardenolides showing much higher activities than the pregnane glycosides. The activity of these steroid glycosides against Ml cells was enhanced in the presence of 1 nM of actinomycin-D.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- fruit
- leaf
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Periploca sepium has been utilized in various traditional medicinal practices, most notably within the framework of Oriental medicine. Practitioners in these systems have historically used the plant to address specific ailments through the preparation of decoctions or topical applications. The leaves and stems are often studied for their potential bioactive compounds that were believed to influence internal bodily functions. Beyond its role in regional herbalism, historical records suggest it was integrated into local folk remedies for managing diverse health conditions. These ancient applications form a significant part of the ethnobotanical history surrounding the species.
According to a study published by "Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin", Periploca sepium has traditionally been used in oriental medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers investigated the effects of the aqueous extract of Periploca sepium on human rheumatoid arthritis-derived fibroblast-like cells. In cell culture studies, this extract inhibited both the growth and IL-6 production of the cells in dose dependent manners. A study of fractionation indicated that the active material inhibiting IL-6 production is filterable by ultrafiltration. This suggests that substances with low molecular weight might be involved in the inhibition of IL-6 production. Therefore, Periploca sepium represents a rich source of growth inhibition and anti-IL 6 production.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Oriental medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Periploca sepium?
This plant has anti-proliferative, anticancer, and cytotoxic activities that allow it to interfere with the progression of various malignant cells. Research indicates that specific bioactive compounds within Periplocha sepium exhibit potent cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines. These substances work primarily by inducing growth inhibition, which prevents the uncontrolled multiplication of tumor cells. By disrupting cellular processes, the plant demonstrates significant potential in the development of new antineoplastic therapies. Such pharmacological properties highlight its importance in the study of natural cancer-fighting agents.
According to a study published by "Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology", extracts of the root bark of Periploca sepium Bunge showed strong cytotoxic activity. The study isolated cardiac glycosides including periplocin, glucosyl divostroside, periplogenin, periplocymarin and periplocoside M. Periplocin exhibited the lowest IC50 value against leukemia and liposarcoma cells. This constituent specifically kills liposarcoma cells by death receptor mediated apoptosis. In SW-872 cells, periplocin led to growth inhibition and apoptosis induction by changing the expression of death receptors and inducing DNA double strand breaks.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-proliferative
- anticancer
- cytotoxic
- cytotoxic activity
- growth inhibition
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several distinct medicinal compounds including periplocin, periplocoside M, periplocymarin, periplogenin, and periploside A. These bioactive molecules are primarily classified as cardiac glycosides that influence physiological functions. Research indicates that periplocin and periplocymarin play significant roles in the plant's pharmacological profile. Additionally, the presence of periploide A and periplocoside M contributes to its complex chemical makeup. These various constituents work together to provide the medicinal properties observed in Periplocha sepium.
According to a study published by "Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology", extracts of the root bark of Periploca sepium Bunge showed strong cytotoxic activity. The isolated cardiac glycosides include periplocin, glucosyl divostroside, periplogenin, periplocymarin, and periplocoside M. Among these, periplocin is the most anti-proliferative constituent and exhibits the lowest IC50 value against leukemia and liposarcoma cells. Specifically, periplocin kills liposarcoma cells through death receptor mediated apoptosis and induces DNA double strand breaks in SW-872 cells. This compound leads to growth inhibition and apoptosis induction by changing death receptor expression to potentially overcome TRAIL resistance.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Periplocin
- periplocoside M
- periplocymarin
- periplogenin
- periploside A
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating various forms of cancer, specifically targeting A549 cancer, HeLa cancer, MCF-7 cancer, and leukemia. Research into its bioactive compounds suggests significant cytotoxic potential against these specific malignant cell lines. These studies often focus on how the plant extracts can inhibit the proliferation of lung, cervical, and breast cancer cells. Furthermore, its medicinal properties are being investigated for their ability to combat leukemia through targeted cellular pathways. These findings highlight its importance in ongoing pharmacological research for oncology.
According to a study published by "Natural product research", C21 steroidal glycosides isolated from the root bark of Periploca sepium exhibit NO production inhibitory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant inhibition with IC50 values of 30.81 ± 0.18 μM and 44.39 ± 0.21 μM, respectively. The study also measured the cytotoxicity of these compounds against A549, MCF-7, and HeLa cancer cell lines. Specifically, compounds 1 and 7 displayed cytotoxicity against the A549 cell line with IC50 values of 28.41 ± 0.12 μM and 39.06 ± 0.05 μM, respectively.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- A549 cancer
- HeLa cancer
- MCF-7 cancer
- cancer
- leukemia
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal preparations including Periploce Cortex aqueous extract and essential oil. The aqueous extract is typically derived from the bark and is utilized in various traditional therapeutic applications. Additionally, the essential oil is extracted from the plant to serve different medicinal purposes. These specific preparations allow for the concentrated administration of the plant's active compounds. Researchers study these forms to better understand their pharmacological effects on the human body.
According to a study published by "Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology", plant metabolomics analysis was performed by UPLC/Q-TOF MS in 89 batches of samples to distinguish the medicinal dried root bark of Periploca sepium Bgge. (GP) from the non-medicinal dried stem bark (JP). Fifteen distinguishing features were designated as core chemical markers to differentiate GP and JP, and the content of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde-2-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-d-glucopyranoside could identify harvest seasons. Network pharmacology screened out 15 components targeted at rheumatoid arthritis, leading to the selection of 23 constituents as potential Q-markers. A simultaneous quantification method along with 11 semi-quantitative analyses was applied to 20 batches of commercial Periplocae Cortex, successfully identifying samples containing no less than 10% of the JP adulterant. Ultimately, 9 ingredients were considered as Q-markers for Periplocae Cortex.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Periplocae Cortex
- aqueous extract
- essential oil
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause significant health issues including immunosuppressive effects, gastrointestinal distress, and potential neurological toxicity. The presence of specific cardiac glycosides in its leaves and stems can lead to irregular heart rhythms if ingested in large quantities. Many users report nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain as primary symptoms of acute poisoning. Furthermore, the suppression of the immune system may leave an individual more vulnerable to secondary infections. Careful avoidance of this species is necessary due to these unpredictable and dangerous physiological reactions.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- immunosuprressive effects
What herbs are paired with Periploca sepium?
This plant Periploca sepium is most effectively paired with bitter herbs like gentian or dandelion root to enhance its medicinal properties in traditional tonics.
These combinations work by balancing the plant's specific chemical constituents with other bitter compounds that stimulate digestion. Some practitioners also suggest mixing it with aromatic herbs like peppermint to mask its natural flavor profile during decoction. When used in herbal blends, the synergy between these species can help target systemic wellness more effectively than using the plant in isolation.
These specific pairings are typically utilized in formulations designed for digestive support or general restorative health.