Putranjiva roxburghii
What's the taxonomical classification of Putranjiva roxburghii?
Putranjiva roxburghii belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is placed in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following its taxonomic descent through the order Malpighiales, it is situated within the family Putranjivaceae. Finally, the plant is defined by its specific classification under the genus Putranjiva and the species roxburghii.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Malpighiales |
| Family | Putranjivaceae |
| Genus | Putranjiva |
| Species | roxburghii |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Putranjiva roxburghii has a small to medium-sized tree reaching heights of up to 5 meters, characterized by a slender trunk and spreading branches. The leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptic to oblong in shape with an entire margin and an acute apex. It produces small, fragrant, yellowish-white flowers that are arranged in axillary or terminal panicles. The fruit is a small, globose drupe that turns black or dark purple when fully mature. The bark is generally smooth and greyish, while the root system is robust to support its woody structure.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, specifically spanning across India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Its distribution follows the humid climates of the Indomalayan realm where it thrives in various forest ecosystems. You can commonly find it growing in deciduous forests as well as along the edges of moist, shaded tropical woodlands. The species is often localized to specific altitudinal zones that provide the necessary rainfall and warmth for its survival. This broad geographic range reflects its adaptability to different moisture levels within these tropical biomes.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Putranjiva roxburghii, requires well-drained sandy or loamy soil and a tropical to subtropical climate with moderate rainfall to thrive.
It is typically cultivated as a perennial shrub that prefers full sunlight to partial shade depending on the specific environmental conditions. Regular watering is essential during the establishment phase, although the mature plant shows a degree of drought tolerance once its root system is deep. Growers must ensure that the soil remains aerated to prevent root rot, which is a common risk in waterlogged areas.
Proper cultivation often involves minimal fertilization, as the plant adapts well to natural soil nutrients.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Putranjiva roxburghii is utilized medicinally through the application of its leaves and seeds to treat various ailments. The leaves are frequently processed into decoctions or pastes to address inflammatory conditions and skin disorders. Similarly, the seeds contain potent bioactive compounds that are often extracted for their therapeutic properties. These specific plant parts are valued in traditional medicine for their ability to support overall health. Practitioners carefully prepare these components to maximize their healing potential for patients.
According to a study published by "Cell biochemistry and biophysics", Putranjiva roxburghii is an important medicinal plant where the seed extract is used as a uterine health booster. This study focused on the hydroalcoholic leaf extract of P. roxburghii (HALEPR) to explore its phytochemical fingerprinting and activities. Qualitative screening of HALEPR showed the existence of phenol, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, steroids, saponins, tannins, anthroquinoone, and carbohydrates. High resolution accurate-mass spectrometry (HRA-MS) identified various bioactive compounds in HALEPR including luteolin 3'- (3″-acetylglucuronide), luteolin 4'-methyl ether 7-glucoside, quercetin-3β-D-glucoside, and 8-hydroxyluteolin 4'-methyl ether 8-glucuronide. The leaf extract also demonstrated anti-oxidant and anti-inflamatory activities through DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl,2-picrylhydrazyl) and membrane lysis assays.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- seed
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Putranjiva roxburghii is utilized in traditional Ayurvedic medicine as a potent rejuvenative tonic to enhance immunity and treat various inflammatory conditions.
Historical practitioners often prepared decoctions or powders from its roots and leaves to address digestive ailments and fever. It is frequently categorized within the Rasayana group of herbs, which are believed to promote longevity and physical vitality. In many indigenous healing systems, the plant serves as a primary component in complex formulations designed to restore balance to the body's internal energies.
Local communities have long relied on its bioactive properties to manage chronic skin disorders and respiratory issues.
What are the pharmacological activities of Putranjiva roxburghii?
This plant has diverse pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antileishmanial, antioxidant, antiparasitic, and the ability to increase sperm motility. Its antioxidant properties help neutralize harmful free radicals within the body to prevent cellular damage. The plant also demonstrates potent antileishmanial and antiparasitic effects, making it useful in combating various protozoan infections. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory actions assist in reducing swelling and pain associated with different physiological conditions. Research also indicates that specific extracts from the plant can lead to increased sperm motility in male reproductive studies.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Putranjiva roxburghii leaves serve as the major ingredient in the Yataprasen herbal remedy. The leaf extract exhibited the highest inhibitory effects on LPS-induced TNF-α and iNOS expression among the plant ingredient extracts. Three biflavonoids, including putraflavone, podocarpusflavone A, and amentoflavone, were isolated from the P. roxburghii leaf extract. These isolated biflavonoids showed inhibitory effects on LPS-induced PGE2 secretion and NO synthesis in RAW264.7 cells. Among these, amentoflavone exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatoy activity by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, COX-2, and iNOS.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antileishmanial
- antioxidant
- antiparasitic
- increased fertility
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds putraflavone, amentoflavone, podocarpusflavone A, isorhamnetin, and kaempferol. These bioactive substances are primarily categorized as flavonoids, which are known for their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The presence of specific derivatives like podocarpusflavone A contributes to the unique pharmacological profile of the species. Research into these phytochemicals suggests they play a significant role in the plant's overall therapeutic potential. Scientists continue to study how these individual compounds interact to provide health benefits.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the leaves of Putranjiva roxbrugii Wall. serve as a major ingredient in the herbal remedy Yataprasen, which is made from a hydroethanolic extract of 13 medicinal plants. The active ingredients of the P. roxbrugii leaves were separated by chromatography and identified through spectroscopic measurements. Specifically, the biflavonoids isolated from the P. roxbrugii leaf extract include putraflavone, podocarpusflavone A, and amentoflavone. These isolated biflavonoids demonstrated inhibitory effects on LPS-induced PGE2 secretion and NO synthesis in RAW264.7 cells. Among these, amentoflavone exhibited the strongest anti-inflammatoy activity by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, COX-2, and iNOS.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Putraflavone
- amentoflavone
- podocarpusflavone A
- apigetrin
- isorhamnetin
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating Leishmania donovani infection, leishmaniasis, female reproductive ailments, inflammation, and various issues related to uterine health. It possesses significant medicinal properties that target parasitic infections within the body. Researchers have noted its effectiveness in managing the symptoms associated with leishmaniasis. Furthermore, the plant plays a crucial role in soothing inflammation throughout different bodily systems. It is also frequently applied to support reproductive wellness and improve overall uterine health in women.
According to a study published by "Journal of parasitic diseases : official organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology", Putranjivha roxburghii is used as a medicinal plant against Leishmania donovani. The plant shows efficacy against both sodium stibogluconate sensitive and resistant strains of the parasite. The IC50 values recorded for the sensitive strain and the resistant strain were 25.61 ± 0.57 µg/mL and 29.02 ± 1.21 µg/mL, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential of the plant for exploration as an antileishmanial agent.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- Leishmania donovani infection
- Leishmaniasis
- female reproductive ailments
- uterine health
- inflammation
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is processed into various medicinal plant extracts, decoctions, and powders to harness its bioactive compounds for treating inflammation and digestive disorders. Practitioners often utilize concentrated liquid extracts to ensure a potent dose of the plant's therapeutic alkaloids. These preparations can also be formulated into topical ointments or infused oils for skin applications. The traditional method of making decoctions involves boiling the roots or leaves to release essential phytochemicals into a liquid medium. Such diverse preparation methods allow for targeted delivery of the plant's medicinal properties depending on the specific ailment being addressed.
According to a study published by "BMC complementary and alternative medicine", Putranjiva roxburghii Wall. was evaluated using in vitro antioxidant assays and analyzed by HPLC-PDA. This plant was placed in the leading or primary group along with Punica granatum L. because it exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. This specific antioxidant activity was strongly correlated with a high amount of kaempferol. When used in a multi-herbal combination, the resulting formulation exhibited high antioxidant activity compared to the individual plants. The herbal combination also revealed good antiproliferative efficacy against HepG2 cells with an IC50 of 75.864 μg/ml.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- medicinal plant extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause unknown adverse reactions because there is currently insufficient clinical data to identify specific side effects. While it is used in traditional medicine, the lack of rigorous human studies makes it difficult to predict how it might interact with other medications. Researchers have not yet established standardized dosages, which increases the risk of unexpected toxicity. Potential users should remain cautious until more comprehensive safety profiles are developed through controlled trials. Consequently, the long-term impact on human organs remains a significant area of uncertainty.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- Insufficient clinical data to identify specific side effects
What herbs are paired with Putranjiva roxburghii?
This plant Putranjiva roxbrugii is most effectively paired with herbs such as Ashwagandha, Shatavari, and Guduchi to enhance its therapeutic potency in Ayurvedic formulations.
These combinations are specifically designed to balance the doshas and improve the overall efficacy of the medicinal decoctions. When combined with warming spices like black pepper, the bioavailability of its active compounds increases significantly. Practitioners often use these synergistic blends to treat inflammatory conditions and bolster the immune system.
Such precise herb pairings ensure that the plant's revitalizing properties are maximized during treatment.