Quercus infectoria
Quercus infectoria · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (14 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Quercus infectoria is a remarkable plant species whose fruit serves as a potent source of bioactive compounds. Rich in chemical constituents such as gallic acid, flavonoids, and various gallotannins, its extracts have demonstrated significant pharmacological potential. Research into its ethanolic and methanol extracts reveals impressive anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activities. Specifically, these preparations have shown effectiveness against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans, while also assisting in treating diarrhea. Furthermore, the cytotoxic properties found in its essential oils and extracts highlight its growing importance in modern medicinal studies.
- Synonyms
- Quercus Lusitanica Var. Infectoria · Quercus Lusitanica Subsp. Infectoria
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Fagaceae
- Distribution
- Australasia
- Plant Parts
- Fruit
Classification
Common Names
Quercus infectoria is a fascinating species known by a wide variety of regional names across different cultures. It is most frequently recognized by its common English names, such as the Aleppine Oak or the Aleppo Oak. In certain botanical circles, it may also be referred to as the Asian holly oak or the Cyprus Oak. The tree's identity extends into other languages as well, appearing as the Kurdisztáni tölgy in specific contexts. These diverse monikers reflect the widespread geographical presence and historical importance of this unique oak.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Quercus infectoria is a botanical species that is frequently identified through various taxonomic classifications. Within scientific literature, it is recognized by several synonymous names that reflect different naming conventions. For instance, the plant is often referred to as Quercus lusitanica subsp. infectoria in many academic databases. Similarly, the designation Quercus lusitanica var. infectoria serves as another valid synonym for this specific oak. Understanding these overlapping names is essential for researchers seeking to maintain accuracy in botanical studies.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Quercus infectoria is a distinguished member of the kingdom Plantae. This plant belongs to the genus Quercus and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. Within its biological hierarchy, it falls under the order Fagales. Furthermore, it is a specific representative of the family Fagaceae. Through these relationships, the plant's evolutionary position within the natural world is clearly defined.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Fagales |
| Family | Fagaceae |
| Genus | Quercus |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Quercus infectoria is a notable species found predominantly throughout the Asia-Temperate region. Its natural range extends across diverse landscapes, including the Caucasus and Transcaucasus areas. The plant is also widely distributed within Western Asia, specifically spanning through countries such as Iran and Iraq. Furthermore, its presence can be observed in the Mediterranean territories of Cyprus and the East Aegean Islands. This wide geographical spread highlights the botanical significance of the species across various Middle Eastern climates.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Quercus infectoria is a self-supporting shrub that establishes a sturdy presence in its natural habitat. This plant typically reaches a maximum height of 20 meters as it matures. Its structural growth form allows it to thrive while maintaining a stable and upright posture.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Quercus infectoria is a versatile medicinal plant recognized for its diverse range of therapeutic activities. Research highlights its potent antimicrobial properties, demonstrating effectiveness against various pathogens including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The plant also exhibits significant antioxidant activity, which plays a crucial role in its ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Specifically, studies have shown that its extracts possess anticancer and cytotoxic effects against highly invasive cell lines like glioblastoma and oral cancer. Additionally, certain fractions of the plant have been found to provide analgesic benefits, further establishing its importance in pharmacological applications.
Compounds
Quercus infectoria is a medicinal plant highly valued for its rich phytochemical profile and diverse therapeutic potential. Scientific analysis reveals that the plant contains flavonoids and phenolic acids, which contribute to its significant biological activities. It is particularly characterized by a high concentration of hydrolyzable tannins, specifically gallotannins. These gallotannins have demonstrated potent antioxidant and inhibitory effects in various medical studies. Furthermore, the presence of gallic acid in Quercus infectoria supports its traditional use as an effective natural agent in herbal medicine.
Conditions
Quercus infectoria exhibits potent antimicrobial properties that allow it to treat various pathogenic microorganisms. The extract effectively inhibits the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, causing significant alterations in cell morphology and eventual lysis. It also demonstrates strong efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the yeast Candida albicans. Furthermore, the plant shows medicinal value by treating Enterococcus faecalis through the disruption of microbial cell membranes. Finally, Quercus infectoria serves as an effective agent against Escherichia coli, achieving complete inhibition in certain applications.
Preparations
Quercus infectoria is prepared as ethanolic extracts to demonstrate potent antibacterial activities against various strains of E. coli and MRSA. This plant is also prepared as methanol extracts, which have shown efficacy in inhibiting the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans and the hepatitis C virus protease. Additionally, Quercus infectoria is prepared as EOs to serve as effective anthelmintics against Marshallagia marshalli. The plant is further processed such that the QI extract is utilized in cytotoxicity assays to evaluate its potential anticancer properties against oral cancer cells. These diverse preparation methods highlight the versatility of the plant in medicinal research.
Parts used
Quercus infectoria offers significant medicinal potential through its unique biological components. Recent scientific research has specifically focused on the fruit of this plant to uncover novel therapeutic compounds. By analyzing the fruit peel, researchers successfully identified hydrolyzed peptides that demonstrate inhibitory activity against HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. Two specific peptides, AIHIILI and LIAVSTNIIFIVV, were synthesized and tested to evaluate their effectiveness. These findings suggest that components derived from the fruit could serve as a foundation for developing new antiviral drugs.