Streblus asper
Streblus asper · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (10 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Streblus asper is a versatile plant species known for its significant medicinal potential derived from its leaves, flowers, and fruits. Scientific investigations into its various preparations, such as aqueous and crude leaf extracts, have revealed a rich profile of bioactive chemicals including flavonoids, lignans, and cardiac glycosides. These compounds contribute to a wide range of therapeutic activities, specifically showcasing antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic properties. Research suggests the plant may play a role in combating conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and dental caries by targeting pathogens like Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Consequently, this plant stands as a promising subject for developing new treatments through its diverse pharmacological applications.
- Synonyms
- Albrandia Orientalis · Streblus Lactescens · 13 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Moraceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Leaf · Flower
Classification
Common Names
Streblus asper is a versatile plant known by many different names across various regional cultures. In certain areas, it is commonly referred to as Duối or Hagu. It is also frequently identified as Kalyos, often spelled as halaman or kalyus in different contexts. Additionally, the species carries the local name Ki Serut. These diverse naming conventions reflect the plant's widespread presence and cultural significance in different parts of the world.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Streblus asper is a plant species that has been documented under several different botanical names throughout history. Scientific literature identifies it through various synonyms, including Achymus pallens and Achymus patens. Furthermore, the species is closely linked to several names within the Albrandia genus. These include Albrandia gaudichaudii, Albrandia orientalis, and Albrandia timorensis. Understanding these taxonomic relationships is essential for accurate botanical identification and classification.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Streblus asper is a fascinating specimen belonging to the vast kingdom Plantae. Within this diverse kingdom, the plant is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further belongs to the order Rosales, showcasing its unique evolutionary lineage. As a member of the genus Streblus, it occupies a specific niche in the botanical world. Finally, this species is firmly rooted in the Moraceae family, linking it to many other well-known tropical plants.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Streblus |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Streblus asper is a versatile species with a broad geographical presence spanning across various Asian regions. In the temperate zones of China, it can be found throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories, as well as on the island of Hainan. Moving into tropical climates, the plant also thrives within the Indian Subcontinent. Specifically, its distribution extends through the lush landscapes of Assam and Bangladesh. This wide range highlights the plant's ability to adapt to both temperate and tropical environments.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Streblus asper is a self-supporting tree that maintains a sturdy and independent structure in its natural habitat. This species typically exhibits a moderate growth form, reaching a maximum height of approximately 10 meters. Under certain optimal conditions, however, the plant can extend its stature to reach up to 13.5 meters. These dimensions define its characteristic presence within its ecosystem.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Streblus asper is a versatile medicinal plant that exhibits a wide range of significant biological activities. Research demonstrates that its extracts possess potent antidiabetic properties, effectively reducing blood glucose levels in animal models. The plant also shows strong antioxidant potential and notable cytotoxic effects, which are linked to its ability to inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase. These cytotoxic qualities further extend to anticancer activities, with various extracts proving highly effective against human cancer cell lines such as A-549 and K-562. Additionally, S. asper displays antimicrobial effectiveness, specifically showing the ability to reduce Streptococcus mutans counts in oral environments.
Compounds
Streblus asper is a Southeast Asian plant recognized for its diverse medicinal properties and rich phytochemical profile. Scientific analyses of its leaf extracts have confirmed the presence of several key bioactive compounds, including fatty acids and steroids. Detailed mass spectrometric studies further reveal that the plant contains significant amounts of flavonoids and lignans. Additionally, the presence of terpenoids contributes to the complex chemical makeup of its various fractions. These combined constituents underscore the therapeutic potential of the plant for developing new neuroprotective and antibacterial treatments.
Conditions
Streblus asper demonstrates significant antimicrobial properties by effectively reducing the counts of Streptococcus mutans, which is a key factor in dental caries. This plant also shows promise in treating Alzheimer's disease symptoms, as its extract was found to attenuate memory impairment in zebrafish models. Regarding fungal and bacterial pathogens, the ethyl acetate extract of the plant exhibits significant activity against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecallis. Furthermore, specific fractions of the plant, such as the chloroform fraction, have shown high cytotoxic potency against the Hep-G2 cancer cell line. These diverse biological activities highlight the medicinal potential of Streblus asper across various therapeutic applications.
Preparations
Streblus asper is prepared as leaf extract to investigate its potential for attenuating memory impairment in zebrafish models of Alzheimer's disease. This plant is also prepared as aqueous extracts and aqueous solutions to evaluate its inhibitory potential against various bacteria found in dental plaque. Research involving various medicinal plants shows that Streblus asper is prepared as crude extracts, specifically using ethanol, to study effects on bacterial adherence. Additionally, Streblus asper is prepared as ethanolic leaf extracts, which have demonstrated high antiplasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. These different preparation methods allow for a comprehensive assessment of the plant's diverse pharmacological properties.
Parts used
Streblus asper is a versatile medicinal plant that contains various bioactive components found within its different structures. Research indicates that the leaf of the plant possesses significant antimicrobial properties, specifically showing effectiveness in reducing Streptococcus mutans counts. Beyond the foliage, the flowers and leaves have been analyzed to isolate unique cardiac glycosides that exhibit both cytotoxic and non-cytotoxic effects. Furthermore, the fruit of this species is recognized as a potentially valuable resource for its antioxidant and antidiabetic properties. Collectively, these diverse parts of Streblus asper demonstrate its broad potential for pharmaceutical and dietary applications.