Schleichera oleosa
Schleichera oleosa · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (3 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Schleichera oleosa is a versatile plant species known for its significant medicinal potential in traditional and modern pharmacology. Research focuses on utilizing methanolic crude extracts derived from the fruit and stem to harness its therapeutic properties. These preparations are rich in bioactive chemicals, including flavonoids, tannins, and betulinic acid. Due to these constituents, the plant exhibits diverse biological activities such as antibacterial, anthelmintic, and anti-HIV effects. Most notably, its extracts have shown promise in combating malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum.
- Synonyms
- Cussambium Glabrum · Cussambium Oleosum · 14 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Sapindaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Fruit · Stem
Classification
Common Names
Schleichera oleosa is a versatile tree known by a wide variety of regional and international names. In many parts of the world, it is commonly referred to as the Ceylon-oak or the Malay lactree. It also carries the distinct name of the Macassar oiltree, which is sometimes translated as the Macassaölbaum in German-speaking regions. Furthermore, the species is widely recognized by its traditional Indian name, kussum. These diverse monikers reflect the plant's broad geographical presence and its cultural significance across different landscapes.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Schleichera oleosa is a botanical species that is frequently identified by several different scientific names in various literatures. It is widely recognized under the synonym Cussambium glabrum, reflecting its diverse taxonomic history. Other synonymous classifications include Cussambium oleosum and Cussambium pubescens, which can sometimes cause confusion for researchers. Additionally, the plant has been documented as Cussambium spinosum in specific botanical contexts. Finally, the name Koon oleosus serves as another established synonym for this versatile tree.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Schleichera oleosa is a remarkable botanical specimen belonging to the kingdom Plantae. Within this vast biological realm, the plant is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It specifically falls into the order Sapindales, which helps scientists understand its evolutionary lineage. This species is further identified by its membership in the genus Schleichera. Finally, its botanical identity is completed by its placement within the Sapindaceae family.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Sapindaceae |
| Genus | Schleichera |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Schleichera oleosa is widely distributed throughout the tropical regions of Asia, showing a strong presence across the Indian Subcontinent. This resilient species can be found growing naturally in the diverse landscapes of India and Bangladesh. Its reach extends further north into the terrain of Nepal, highlighting its adaptability to various subtropical environments. Additionally, the plant maintains a significant footprint across the island nation of Sri Lanka. Together, these regional occurrences underscore the broad ecological importance of the species within its native Asian habitats.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Schleichera oleosa is a self-supporting tree characterized by its robust growth form. This species can reach a maximum height of 30 meters in the wild. Its impressive stature makes it a significant presence within its natural habitat.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Schleichera oleosa has emerged as a plant of significant medicinal interest due to its diverse range of bioactive properties. Research into indigenous Thai fruits has identified that this species possesses notable antioxidant activity, driven by its rich phenolic and flavonoid content. Furthermore, the plant demonstrates promising antidiabetic potential through its ability to inhibit key enzymes like $\alpha$-glucosidase and $\alpha$-amylase. Beyond metabolic health, studies on the bark of S. oleosa have revealed significant antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. These combined findings highlight the plant's value as a potential source for developing novel pharmaceutical agents and health-promoting dietary supplements.
Compounds
Schleichera oleosa serves as a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals with significant therapeutic potential. Recent metabolic profiling has identified that the plant contains scillarenin, a compound that demonstrated high docking scores and favorable profiles in antimalarial studies. Furthermore, the plant is known to contain betulinic acid, which was isolated and confirmed through analytical HPLC. This specific constituent contributes to the plant's documented anti-inflammatory activity by helping to modulate various inflammatory pathways. Together, these findings highlight the importance of Schleichera oleosa in the ongoing discovery of novel medicinal agents.
Conditions
Schleichera oleosa exhibits significant antimalarial activity through the inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum. The plant's bioactive constituents demonstrate promising antiplasmodial activity, validating its traditional use in treating malaria. Furthermore, specific isolated compounds from the species show the ability to treat the P-388 lymphocytic leukemia cell line by inhibiting cancer cell growth. The plant also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, effectively treating rat paw edema in experimental models. These diverse biological activities highlight the therapeutic potential of Schleichera oleosa across multiple medical applications.
Preparations
Schleichera oleosa is prepared as various types of extracts to facilitate scientific investigation into its medicinal properties. In studies evaluating anti-inflammatory activity, the plant is processed as a methanolic extract to test its effects on cytokine modulation and edema. Another research study utilizes an extract prepared specifically from the bark and stem of the tree to isolate cancer cell growth inhibitory sterols. Furthermore, the plant is prepared as methanolic crude extracts to allow for the analysis of phenolic and flavonoid content. These different methods of preparation enable the identification of bioactive compounds and the assessment of the plant's potential therapeutic benefits.
Parts used
Schleichera oleosa is a significant medicinal plant that offers diverse biological benefits through its various anatomical components. Research indicates that the fruit of this species is a valuable source of phenolics and flavonoids, which may play a role in managing type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, the stem and bark of the tree serve as critical sources for the isolation of unique bioactive compounds. Specifically, studies on the stem have led to the discovery of schleicherastatins, a series of sterols that exhibit inhibitory effects against leukemia cell lines. These findings highlight how both the fruit and the stem of Schleichera oleosa contribute to its potential as a source for pharmaceutical applications.