Sandoricum koetjape
What's the taxonomical classification of Sandoricum koetjape?
Sandoricum koetjape belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The taxonomic hierarchy continues through the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, the plant is defined by its specific genus, Sandoricum, and its unique species designation, koetjape.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Meliaceae |
| Genus | Sandoricum |
| Species | koetjape |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Sandoricum koetjape has evergreen leaves that are oblong or elliptical in shape, measuring between 10 to 25 centimeters in length, with a glossy dark green upper surface and a paler underside. The tree typically grows to a height of 15 to 25 meters and features a straight trunk with smooth, greyish bark. Its small, inconspicuous flowers are produced in clusters from the axils of the leaves or branches. The fruit is a globose drupe that transitions from green to a bright yellow or orange color when mature. Inside the fleshy pulp, the plant contains several large, woody seeds that are characteristic of the Meliaceae family.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically encompassing parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and southern Myanmar. It primarily flourishes within the humid, lowland rainforest environments characteristic of these equatorial zones. The species is often found growing in well-drained soils across various islands in the Malay Archipelago. Due to its popularity as a fruit tree, it has also been introduced to other tropical locations around the world. Its distribution remains closely tied to warm climates with significant annual rainfall.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Sandoricum koetjape, commonly known as santol, is cultivated in tropical climates by planting seeds or cuttings in well-draining, fertile soil with consistent moisture.
It requires a warm environment with high humidity and ample sunlight to facilitate robust fruit production. Farmers typically maintain the trees through regular pruning and controlled irrigation to prevent root rot while promoting growth. Nutrients such as nitrogen and organic compost are essential to support the heavy flowering and fruiting stages.
Once established, these trees can thrive for many years if they are protected from extreme waterlogging or drought.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Sandoricum koetjape utilizes its fruits, leaves, roots, seeds, and stem for various medicinal purposes. The fleshy fruit is often consumed to alleviate digestive issues and provide nutritional support. Infusions made from the leaves are frequently applied to treat skin ailments or used to reduce fever. Extracts from the roots and stem are sometimes employed to address inflammatory conditions or internal discomfort. Additionally, the seeds can be processed to treat specific ailments depending on local traditional practices.
According to a study published by "Journal of food biochemistry", various parts of Sandoricum koetjape Merr., including the roots, leaves, stems, and fruits, are used for the treatment of inflammatory disorders and digestive troubles. The review identified about 30 natural products of interest, including limonoids like sandoripins A-B, sanjecumins A-B, and sandrapins A-E. Bioactive flavonoids such as sandoricin and sandoripin derivatives possess antioxidant, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. The plant also contains anti-inflammatory triterpenes, specifically sentulic acid and koetjapic acid (KA), which is a tetracyclic triterpenoid. The water-soluble derivative potassium koetjapate (KK) serves as an orally bioavailable derivative with superior antiangiogenic properties compared to KA.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- fruits
- leaves
- roots
- seeds
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Sandoricum koetjape, commonly known as santol, has been utilized in Southeast Asian traditional medicine for centuries to treat various ailments using its fruit, leaves, and bark.
Local healers historically applied the juice from the fruit pulp to soothe stomach aches and alleviate digestive issues. The bark was often decocted into a liquid to serve as an anti-inflammatory treatment for skin conditions or internal inflammation. Additionally, the leaves were sometimes crushed and used topically to assist in the healing of minor wounds and swellings.
These diverse applications highlight the plant's long-standing role as a versatile medicinal resource in regional folk practices.
What are the pharmacological activities of Sandoricum koetjape?
This plant has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and cytotoxic pharmacological activities derived from its various bioactive compounds. The presence of specific phytochemicals allows the plant to neutralize free radicals and reduce systemic inflammation. Its antibacterial properties enable it to inhibit the growth of various pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, the plant exhibits significant cytotoxic effects that contribute to its potential anticancer capabilities by targeting malignant cells. These diverse biological actions highlight the medicinal importance of Sandoricum koetjape in pharmacological research.
According to a study published by "Journal of food biochemistry", Sandoricum koetjape Merr. contains about 30 natural products of interest including flavonoids, limonoids, and terpenoids. The plant possesses limonoids such as sandoripins A-B, sanjecumins A-B, and sandrapins A-E, while flavonoids like sandoricin and sandoripin derivatives provide antioxidant, antibacterial, and insecticidal properties. The tree contains anti-inflammatory triterpenes such as sentulic acid and koetjapic acid (KA), which is a tetracyclic triterpenoid with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimetasatatic, and antiangiogenic effects. Koetjapic acid targets proteins such as cyclooxygenase 2, DNA polymerase-β, and the kinase mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Additionally, the water-soluble derivative potassium koetjapate (KK) provides an orally bioavailable option with superior antiangiogenic properties compared to KA.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- anticancer
- antioxidant
- cytotoxic
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several bioactive medicinal compounds including koetjapiic acid, katonic acid, quercetin, and tannin. These specific chemical constituents contribute to the diverse pharmacological properties attributed to the Sandoricum koetjape species. Researchers have identified koetjapiic acid as a significant component within the plant's various extracts. Additionally, the presence of quercetin provides antioxidant benefits while tannin contributes to its astringent qualities. The interaction of these diverse molecules supports the traditional use of the plant in herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie", Sandoricum koetjape contains the active compound koetjapic acid. This compound possesses promising anticancer potential but is highly insoluble in aqueous solutions. A chemical modification of koetjapic acid resulted in potassium koetjapate (KKA). In pharmacokinetic studies of KKA, the Tmax was 2.89 ± 0.12 h, the Cmax was 7.24 ± 0.36 μg/mL, and the T1/2 was 1.46 ± 0.03 h. KKA significantly suppressed the sprouting of microvessels in rat aorta with an IC50 of 18.4 ± 4.2 μM.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Koetjapic acid
- katonic acid
- koetjapic acid
- quercetin
- tannin
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating cancer, digestive troubles, infection, inflammatory disorders, and metastasis. Its bioactive compounds help combat various infections by strengthening the body's natural immune response. Researchers study its potential to inhibit the spread of metastasis in malignant cells. Additionally, the plant's properties are applied to soothe digestive troubles and reduce symptoms related to inflammatory disorders. These medicinal applications make it a significant subject in ethnobotanical studies regarding chronic diseases.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural products", Sandoricum koetjape stems contain compounds used for their cytotoxic activity against cultured P-388 cells. Specifically, the compounds 3-oxo-olean-12-en-29-oic acid [2] and katonic acid [3] demonstrated significant activity with ED50 values of 0.61 and 0.11 microgram/ml, respectively. Significant cytotoxicity was also observed with a variety of cultured human cancer cells. Aside from compounds 2 and 3, the other isolated substances were not toxic with cultured cells.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- cancer
- digestive troubles
- infection
- inflammatory disorders
- metastasis
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Sandoricum koetjape, which is used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as aqueous extracts from its fruit pulp, leaves, and bark. These water-based preparations are commonly employed in traditional medicine to treat various ailments including fever, inflammation, and digestive issues. The bark is frequently decocted in water to produce a bitter liquid believed to possess antimicrobial properties. Additionally, the juice from the ripe fruit serves as a natural remedy for hydrating the body and soothing internal discomfort. Researchers continue to study these aqueous extracts to better understand their bioactive compounds and potential therapeutic benefits.
According to a study published by "Journal of applied microbiology", aqueous extracts of Sandoricum koetjape demonstrated growth inhibition against E. coli ATCC 25922. These Sandoricum koetjape extracts contain active phytochemical compounds, tannin and quercetin, which are able to inhibit the growth of E. coli ATCC 25922. The extracts of Sandoricum koetjape and its compounds tannin and quercetin protected the eukaryotic epithelial cells of Vero cells and Caco-2 cells from infection and DNA damage. Furthermore, these Sandoricum koetjape extracts and compounds exhibited efficacy to downregulate the expression of 5 genes (clbA, clbB, clbM, clbN and clbP) required for colibactin biosynthesis. The extracts of Sandoricum koetjape and its compounds tannin and quercetin had the ability to inhibit the growth and transcription of colibactin genes of colibactin-producing Escherichia coli.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- aqueous extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause adverse health reactions such as diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and nausea if consumed in excessive amounts. While the fruit is generally considered safe for most people, the concentration of certain compounds may irritate the digestive lining. Some individuals have reported mild allergic reactions or skin irritation when interacting with the sap or bark of the tree. It is important to monitor intake closely to avoid these gastrointestinal disturbances. Consulting a healthcare professional is recommended before using the plant for medicinal purposes to prevent unexpected complications.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
What herbs are paired with Sandoricum koetjape?
This plant, commonly known as Santol, is frequently paired with ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon to enhance its medicinal properties in traditional herbal preparations.
The acidic profile of the fruit pulp works well with the warming qualities of ginger to aid digestion and alleviate stomach discomfort. When used in decoctions, turmeric is added to provide anti-inflammatory benefits that complement the plant's natural antioxidants. Cinnamon is often included in sweet herbal infusions to balance the tartness while supporting metabolic health.
These specific combinations are utilized in various Southeast Asian folk remedies to maximize the therapeutic potential of the Santol tree.