Podophyllum hexandrum
Podophyllum hexandrum, commonly known as the Himalayan Mayapple, is a perennial herb native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas. Renowned in traditional medicine, its rhizomes contain potent alkaloids like podophyllotoxin, which possess significant antiviral and anticancer properties, making it a vital subject in modern pharmacological research.
- Scientific name: Podophyllum hexandrum
- Family: Berberidaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Ranunculales and the family Berberidaceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Podophyllum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Berberidaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Podophyllum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Podophyllum hexandrum, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is widely known as 桃兒七 (zh-hans, zh-hant, zh-hk, and zh), while in German, it is called Himalaya-Maiapfel (de).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 桃儿七 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 桃兒七 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 桃兒七 | Wikidata |
| de | Himalaya-Maiapfel | Wikidata |
| zh | 桃兒七 | Wikidata |
| sv | Indiskt fotblad | Wikidata |
| et | Himaalaja jalgleht | Wikidata |
| zh | 桃儿七 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. In Middle Europe, its presence is noted within the areas of Czechia and Slovakia. Its range extends into Western Asia, specifically occurring in Afghanistan. Within China, the species is found across South-Central and North-Central territories. Finally, its habitat includes the specific high-altitude region of Qinghai.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | Qinghai | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | West Himalaya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as the Himalayan Mayapple, derives its medicinal potency primarily from its underground structures. The most significant part used in pharmacology is the rhizomes, which are often harvested for their high concentration of podophyllotoxin. While the rhizome acts as the primary storage organ, the roots also play a role in the plant's overall nutrient distribution. Although the root system helps anchor the plant in its moist, forest habitats, the therapeutic value lies in the fleshy, tuberous nature of the rhizoemes. Finally, although the plant produces seeds for reproduction, these are not typically the focus of medicinal extraction compared to the potent underground tissues.- Total parts
- 16
- Scientific sources
- 26
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots/rhizomes | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| petiole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Podophyllum hexandrum has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include podophyllotoxin, lignans, (-)-matairesinol, (-)-pluviatolide, (-)-podophyllotoxin.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| podophyllotoxin | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| lignans | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-matairesinol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-pluviatolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-podophyllotoxin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acetylpodophyllotoxin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| XET | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-amylase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epi-podophyllotoxin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Podophyllum hexandrum has 7 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antifungal, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antiviral.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Toxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Podophyllum hexandrum has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, antimalarial, antioxidant, antiviral, breast cancer.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dystocia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hepatoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| menstruation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neuroblastoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |