Plantago asiatica
Plantago asiatica, commonly known as Asian Plantain, is a versatile medicinal herb found throughout many Asian regions. Renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, it is traditionally used to treat respiratory ailments, skin irritations, and digestive issues. This resilient perennial offers significant therapeutic potential in herbal medicine practices.
- Scientific name: Plantago asiatica
- Family: Plantaginaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Plantago asiatica, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Plantaginaceae. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Plantago.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Plantaginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Plantago | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Plantago asiatica, is recognized by various common names across different regions and languages. In China, it is referred to as 车前 (zh-hans), 車前 (zh-hant), and 車前 (zh-hk), while in Japan, it is commonly called オオバコ (ja). In Vietnam, the species is known as Xa tiền (vi).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 车前 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 車前 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 車前 | Wikidata |
| ja | オオバコ | Wikidata |
| vi | Xa tiền | Wikidata |
| za | Maxbiencauj | Wikidata |
| ko | 질경이 | Wikidata |
| zh | 车前 | Wikidata |
| fa | پلانتاگو اسیاتیکا | Wikidata |
| yue | 車前子 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread geographical distribution across diverse regions of the world. In the Atlantic, its presence can be noted within the Macaronesian region, specifically in Cape Verde. Moving toward the northern hemisphere, it is found extensively throughout the Russian Far East. Its range in this area includes the Amur region, Khabarovsk, and the Kamchatka Peninsula. Additionally, the species extends its reach to the Kuril Islands, completing its vast distribution pattern.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Amur | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kamchatka | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kuril Is. | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Magadan | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Plantago asiatica, is a medicinal herb where various components can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. The most common part used in traditional medicine is the green leaf, which is often prepared in decoctions to treat respiratory or inflammatory conditions. In addition to the foliage, the entire aerial parts of the plant are frequently harvested to ensure a complete profile of its active compounds. Furthermore, the reproductive structures, including the individual seed and the collection of seeds, also hold pharmacological potential, making the plant a versatile resource in herbal studies.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Plantago asiatica has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 32 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include plantamajoside, aucubin, luteolin, plantagoside, Luteolin.
- Total chemicals
- 25
- Scientific sources
- 32
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| plantamajoside | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| aucubin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| plantagoside | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Luteolin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plantagoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acteoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apigenin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catalase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catalpol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Plantago asiatica has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidepressant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Plantago asiatica has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, COVID-19, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Parkinson's disease, Staphylococcus aureus.
- Total uses
- 15
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| oxidative stress | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corynebacterium diphtheriae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Parkinson's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| apoptosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coronavirus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coughs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| depression | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |