Harmal

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Harmal

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Rhazya, specifically as the species Rhazya stricta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily focused within the arid regions of Western Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. In Western Asia, its presence is documented across Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq. Moving toward the Arabian Peninsula, the species can be found throughout the various Gulf States. Additionally, its habitat extends to the country of Oman. Collectively, these locations define the natural range where this medicinal species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhazyya stricta is characterized by its presence within specific altitudinal gradients, typically flourishing in montane or sub-montane habitats. This species is predominantly found at elevations ranging from a minimum of 500 m AMSL to a maximum of 1300 m AMSL. Within this vertical distribution, the plant occupies niche environments that provide the necessary climatic conditions required for its growth and survival, often associating with specific soil compositions and moisture levels found at these mid-range altitudes.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

500 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rhazyia stricta is characterized by its specific growth habit and survival strategy, classified primarily as a chamaephyte. In the context of its ecological life forms, it functions as a chamaephyte, meaning its perennating buds are located close to the soil surface, allowing it to withstand varying environmental conditions. Within the broader spectrum of plant life forms—including phanerophytes, hemicryptophytes, cryptophytes, and therophytes—this species maintains its perennial nature through this low-growing structure. This classification highlights its ability to persist in its natural habitat by keeping its vital regenerative organs protected near or just above the ground level, distinguishing its life cycle from taller phanerophytes or ephemeral therophytes.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Morphology

The morphology of Rhazyia stricta is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, exhibiting a robust and self-supporting structural habit. As a terrestrial species, it does not occupy aquatic or semiaquatic habitats, nor does it function as an epiphyte. The plant maintains an independent lifestyle, functioning as a non-parasitic organism without reliance on a host for nutrition. Its development is defined by a woody constitution, providing the necessary stability for its shrubby architecture.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhazyia stricta is characterized by the production of specialized seeds that exhibit specific physical dimensions essential to its dispersal and germination processes. The seed mass within this species shows a measurable degree of variability, with a calculated mean seed mass of 0.005543333 g. This distribution ranges from a minimum seed mass of 0.0037 g to a maximum seed mass of 0.00733 g, reflecting the natural biological fluctuations present during the reproductive cycle of the plant.

Seed mass max:

0.00733 g

Seed mass mean:

0.005543333 g

Seed mass min:

0.0037 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rhazya stricta has 3 reported plant parts identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root, fruit.

Leaf

1. Plant disease
2. Integrative cancer therapies
3. Pharmacological research
4. Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology
5. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Root

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies
2. Journal of natural products
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Fruit

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Natural product research

Chemicals

Rhazya stricta has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, 12-Hydroxy-3-keto-bisnor-4-cholenic acid, 24-Methyldesmosterol, 5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid, BETA-SITOSTEROL.

Flavonoids

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Chemistry Central journal

12-Hydroxy-3-keto-bisnor-4-cholenic acid

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

24-Methyldesmosterol

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

5-O-Caffeoylquinic acid

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Bipolarisenol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Corynan-17-ol

1. Computers in biology and medicine

Fucosterol

1. Saudi pharmaceutical journal : SPJ : the official publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society

Quebrachamine

1. Computers in biology and medicine

Quinol

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Rhazya stricta has 13 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidepressant, Antidiabetic.

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antidepressant

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

Antidiabetic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihypertensive

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antimicrobial

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Genotoxic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Hepatoprotective

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Medicinal Uses

Rhazya stricta has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidepressant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antioxidant, breast cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations