Asian plantain

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Asian plantain
• Asian psyllium
• psyllium
• Chinese Plantain

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Plantago major f. asiatica
• Plantago major var. asiatica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Plantago asiatica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth habit and survival strategy, the species is classified as a hemicryptophyte, meaning its perennable buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil during unfavorable periods. This life form, categorized under both hemicryptophyte classifications, enables the plant to endure seasonal environmental shifts while maintaining its vegetative presence within its habitat.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Plantago asiatica is characterized by a growth form classified as a herb and a forb, presenting a non-woody structure that lacks any woody tissue. This species functions as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite, and maintains a terrestrial habit rather than being aquatic, semiaquatic, or epiphytic. Furthermore, it is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit any climbing tendencies, such as being a liana, vine, or facultative/obligatory climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Plantago asiatica is characterized by its efficient management of metabolic processes to thrive in varied environments, primarily functioning through a C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this C3 pathway, carbon dioxide is fixed directly by the enzyme Rubisco into a three-carbon compound, the first stable intermediate in the Calvin cycle, which is the standard mechanism for most temperate plant species. This metabolic strategy facilitates steady biomass production under moderate light and temperature conditions. Complementing its carbon fixation, the plant exhibits specialized physiological adaptations in its leaf morphology and water regulation to maintain turgor and optimize gas exchange. The integration of its C3 photosynthetic efficiency with robust root systems allows the plant to sustain nutrient uptake and metabolic homeostasis even when facing fluctuating soil moisture levels.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Plantago asiatica is driven by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit specific mass variations characteristic of the species. The reproductive output is characterized by a mean seed mass of 0.01364 g, though individual seed weights fluctuate significantly across a defined range. Specifically, the seeds can reach a maximum mass of 0.00073 g and a minimum mass of 0.00023 g, reflecting the microscopic and lightweight nature of its progeny which facilitates dispersal.

Seed mass max:

0.00073 g

Seed mass mean:

0.01364 g

Seed mass min:

0.00023 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Plantago asiatica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed, leaf.

Seed

1. Fish & shellfish immunology
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
4. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Leaf

1. Electrophoresis

Chemicals

Plantago asiatica has 52 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aucubin, Plantamajoside, luteolin, Plantaginin, Plantagoside.

Aucubin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
3. Chemistry & biodiversity
4. Electrophoresis

Plantamajoside

1. Iyo Kizai Kenkyujo hokoku. Reports of the Institute for Medical and Dental Engineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University
2. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
3. Chemistry & biodiversity
4. Electrophoresis

luteolin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Chemistry & biodiversity

Plantaginin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Iyo Kizai Kenkyujo hokoku. Reports of the Institute for Medical and Dental Engineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University

Plantagoside

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Biochemical and biophysical research communications

Ursolic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Chemistry & biodiversity

ARSENIC

1. Dr. Duke

Acteoside

1. Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Plantago asiatica has 311 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidepressant, Antioxidant, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Current research in food science

Antidepressant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC research notes

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Additive

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Plantago asiatica has 15 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include oxidative stress, COVID-19, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Parkinson's disease, Staphylococcus aureus.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations