Simarouba glauca
Simarouba glauca, commonly known as the imbuia, is a versatile medicinal tree native to South American forests. Renowned for its bioactive properties, its bark and leaves are traditionally used in folk medicine to treat inflammation, respiratory ailments, and skin conditions, offering significant therapeutic potential in contemporary phytotherapy research.
- Scientific name: Simarouba glauca
- Family: Simaroubaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Simaroubaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Simarouba.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Simaroubaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Simarouba | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, scientifically known as Simarouba glauca, is recognized by various local names depending on the region and language. In Kannada, it is commonly referred to as ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀತರು, and in Marathi, it is known as लक्ष्मीतरू.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| kn | ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀತರು | Wikidata |
| mr | लक्ष्मीतरू | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and regions. In the Indian Subcontinent, its presence is specifically noted within India. Moving toward the Americas, it can be found in the Southeastern United States, particularly in Florida. Its reach extends significantly through Mexico, where it inhabits the Central and Gulf regions. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the Southwest portion of Mexico.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Southeastern U.S.A. | Florida | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | El Salvador | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Simarouba glauca, is a medicinal resource where various components are utilized for their therapeutic properties. The leaves are frequently harvested to prepare infusions or topical applications, and even the individual leaf structures contain bioactive compounds essential for its healing effects. Beyond the foliage, the twigs are often employed in traditional remedies to extract astringent qualities. The reproductive elements are equally significant, as the extraction of seed oil provides concentrated lipids used in various medicinal preparations, while the seed fat serves as another valuable component in traditional healing practices.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twigs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed fat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Simarouba glauca has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 14-deacetyleurylene, 2-methoxycanthin-6-one, 4,5-dimethoxycanthin-6-one, 9-methoxycanthin-6-one, canthin-6-one.
- Total chemicals
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 14-deacetyleurylene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2-methoxycanthin-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4,5-dimethoxycanthin-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 9-methoxycanthin-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| canthin-6-one | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eclalbasaponin-v | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fraxidin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol-3-O-glucoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol-3-O-pentoside | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| melianodiol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Simarouba glauca has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Simarouba glauca has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Candida albicans, E. coli, Escherichia coli, Leishmania infantum, Plasmodium falciparum.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leishmania infantum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Trypanosoma cruzi | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cervix cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |