Sterculia tragacantha
Sterculia tragacantha, commonly known as the Gumsterculia, is a significant medicinal tree native to arid regions. Renowned for its versatile therapeutic properties, the plant yields a mucilaginous gum used to treat digestive ailments and inflammations. Its bark and leaves further offer potent antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits in traditional medicine.
- Scientific name: Sterculia tragacantha
- Family: Malvaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Malvaceae and is placed within the genus Sterculia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malvales | WCVP |
| Family | Malvaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Sterculia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Sterculia tragacantha, is recognized by several different common names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as the gum tragacanth tree. In Hindi, the plant is commonly known as guggul, while in Sanskrit, it is called tragacanth. These names reflect the plant's historical and medicinal importance, particularly regarding the gum it produces.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across the region of West Tropical Africa. Within this geographical area, its presence is specifically noted in the nation of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is documented in the countries of Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its natural habitat extends to the territory of Guinea.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Sterculia tragacantha, possesses various components that contribute to its medicinal profile, with particular emphasis placed on its foliage. The leaf serves as a primary structural element of the plant, providing the necessary surface area for photosynthesis and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. When processed into leaf extracts, these components become concentrated, allowing for the isolation of specific phytochemicals used in traditional and pharmacological applications. These extracts are often utilized for their potential therapeutic properties, demonstrating the importance of the plant's vegetative parts in its overall medicinal utility.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Sterculia tragacantha has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, epicatechin, flavonoid, proanthocyanidins.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| anthraquinones | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| proanthocyanidins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Sterculia tragacantha has 5 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Metal-Chelator, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Metal-Chelator | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Sterculia tragacantha has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, boils, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea.
- Total uses
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oxidative Stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| boils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dyspepsia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gonorrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| snake bite | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| syphilis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |