Pithecellobium dulce
Pithecellobium dulce, commonly known as Manila tamarind, is a versatile tropical legume valued for its medicinal properties. Rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients, its fruits, leaves, and bark are traditionally used to treat inflammation, digestive issues, and skin ailments, offering significant therapeutic potential in various ethnomedical practices worldwide.
- Scientific name: Pithecellobium dulce
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Pithecellobium and the species dulce.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Pithecellobium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Pithecellobium dulce, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Chinese, it is referred to as 牛蹄豆 (niútí dòu), while in Bengali, it is called খইয়া বাবলা (khayā bābalā). In Hindi, it is transliterated as पिथोस्बॉबियम डूलस (pithosbōbiyam dūlas), and in Tamil, it is known as கொடுக்காய்ப்புளி (koṭṭikkāyppuli). Additionally, in Vietnamese, the plant is commonly called Me nước.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 牛蹄豆 | Wikidata |
| bn | খইয়া বাবলা | Wikidata |
| hi | पिथोस्बॉबियम डूलस | Wikidata |
| ta | கொடுக்காய்ப்புளி | Wikidata |
| vi | Me nước | Wikidata |
| te | సీమ చింత | Wikidata |
| ml | മാനിലപ്പുളി | Wikidata |
| ilo | Kamantiris | Wikidata |
| tl | Kamatsile | Wikidata |
| th | มะขามเทศ | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically noted in the country of Egypt. Moving toward the western regions, it can be found throughout various parts of West Tropical Africa. This includes its occurrence in nations such as Benin, Burkina, and Gambia. Additionally, the species is widely distributed within the territory of Ghana.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Togo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Manila tamarind, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties. The leaf is frequently employed in traditional remedies, often prepared as a decoction to address specific ailments. The stem bark and the general bark of the tree are also significant, as they contain bioactive compounds used in various herbal preparations. Furthermore, the seeds are highly valued, with the seed being processed or consumed to harness its distinct nutritional and therapeutic benefits.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Pithecellobium dulce has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include tannins, flavonoids, saponins, acacic acid, alangilignoside D.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acacic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alangilignoside D | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dulcin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol-3-rhamnoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Pithecellobium dulce has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Pithecellobium dulce has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer, Bacillus cereus, Candida albicans, Enterobacter aerogenes, anti-oxidant.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Enterobacter aerogenes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-oxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cervical cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| xanthine oxidase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |