Streblus asper
What's the taxonomical classification of Streblus asper?
Streblus asper belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this group, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following the taxonomic hierarchy further, it is placed in the order Rosales and belongs to the family Moraceae. Finally, the plant is identified by its genus, Streblus, and its specific species epithet, asper.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Streblus |
| Species | asper |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Streblus asper has an evergreen woody habit characterized by spreading branches, rough sandpaper-like leaves, and small greenish-white flowers. The leaves are typically elliptical or ovate with serrated margins and a distinctive scabrous texture on both surfaces. Its bark is generally greyish and may become fissured or flaky as the tree matures. Small, fleshy drupes emerge from the plant, turning a yellowish or reddish color when they reach ripeness. The overall structure supports its adaptation to tropical environments through sturdy, spreading canopies.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of Indonesia. Its distribution extends across various island nations within the Indo-Malayan realm due to its ability to thrive in humid environments. It is commonly found growing in low-elevation areas such as coastal forests, secondary jungles, and disturbed habitats near human settlements. The species occupies diverse ecological niches ranging from dry deciduous forests to more moisture-rich evergreen zones. This widespread presence across the tropics allows it to adapt to a variety of localized climatic conditions.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant grows best in tropical or subtropical climates where it can thrive in well-draining soil and receives consistent sunlight or partial shade.
Cultivation typically involves planting seeds or using stem cuttings during the warm, humid growing season. To ensure healthy development, regular watering is essential to maintain moisture without causing root rot. The soil should be enriched with organic matter to support its robust growth pattern.
Once established, the plant is relatively hardy but requires protection from frost to prevent damage.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant, Streblus asper, utilizes its bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, and twigs to treat various ailments such as skin diseases, digestive issues, and inflammation. The bark is frequently processed into decoctions to address wounds or feverish conditions. Leaves are often crushed or boiled to serve as topical applications or medicinal teas for stomach discomfort. Small flowers and the resulting fruits are sometimes integrated into traditional remedies to manage systemic imbalances. Even the twigs can be used in decoctions to provide specific therapeutic benefits within local folk medicine.
According to a study published by "Pharmaceuatical biology", the leaf and bark extracts of Streblus asper are used for the treatment of various ailments including diabetes. In a study involving 30 rats across 6 groups, methanol extracts of leaves and bark and aqueous extracts of leaves were administered at 300 mg/kg bw for 3 weeks. After 21 days of treatment, these extracts caused blood glucose reductions of 36.83, 70.33, and 52.71% respectively. The IC50 values for DPPH radical scavenging were 58.92, 88.54, and 111.36 µg/mL for the methanol leaf extract, methanol bark extract, and aqueous leaf extract. Additionally, LC50 values for brine shrimp lethality were 173.80, 32.36, and 3235.9 µg/mL for those same extracts.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- flower
- fruit
- leaf
- twig
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known scientifically as Streblus asper, has been utilized for centuries in traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda to treat various physical ailments. In Ayurvedic practice, different parts of the tree are prepared to address inflammation and skin disorders. Local healers in Southeast Asia also employ the bark and leaves to manage digestive issues and fever. The wood is frequently used in folk medicine to create decoctions meant to improve overall vitality. These historical applications demonstrate the plant's long-standing significance in regional herbalism.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", experimental studies have encouraged the micro- and macrofilariicidal activity of Shakotak, which is the stem bark of Streblus asper Lour. This plant's stem bark has been investigated in the context of research on medicinal plants and traditional medicines. These research initiatives are part of a larger effort to validate traditional treatments. The study of such plants is relevant to the development of better drugs and remedies for various diseases.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ayurveda
What are the pharmacological activities of Streblus asper?
This plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, and antimicrobial pharmacological activities. Its bioactive compounds work to neutralize harmful free radicals, which provides significant antioxidant protection to cells. The plant also demonstrates potent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that can inhibit the growth of various pathogenic microorganisms. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory effects help reduce swelling and immune responses in biological systems. Research also indicates that its chemical constituents possess antitumor potential by interfering with the progression of certain cancer cells.
According to a study published by "Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences", Streblus asper possesses inhibitory potential against bacteria present in dental plaque, mainly on aerobes. The results of the study demonstrate that the aqueous extracts of this chewing stick have antibacterial effects. Due to these properties, the plant could be used as a therapeutic agent and appears to be a potent anti-microbial agent that could be considered as a medicinal plant. Although the chewing sticks contained antibacterial agents, the concentration and composition of the active substances differed among the plants.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- antioxidant
- anticancer
- antimicrobial
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds (+) -17β-hydroxystrebloside, (+) -3'-de-O-methylkamaloside, (+) -strebloside, lupeol, and β-sitosterol. These specific chemical constituents are responsible for many of the biological activities observed in traditional herbal applications. The presence of various sterols and glycosides contributes to the plant's diverse pharmacological profile. Research into these molecules helps scientists understand how the plant interacts with human physiological systems. These findings support the continued study of Streblus asper for potential therapeutic developments.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry", the combined flowers, leaves, and twigs of Streblus asper contain one new non-cytotoxic [(+)-17β-hydroxystrebloside (1)] and two known cytotoxic cardiac glycosides, [(+)-3'-de-O-methylkamaloside (2) and (+)-strebloside (3)]. From the compound 3, a new 14,21-epoxycardanolide (3a) was synthesized through treatment with base. The cytotoxic compound 3 inhibits Na+/K+-ATPase by docking deeply in the pocket, where its C-10 formyl and C-5, C-14, and C-4' hydroxy groups may form hydrogen bonds with Glu111, Glu117, Thr797, and Arg880. While compound 3 shows potent activity against human lung cancer cells, it does not affect glucose uptake. In contrast, the non-cytotoxic analogue 1 fits cation binding sites with at least 3 different poses that depotentiate binding to Na+/K+-ATPase.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- (+)-17β-hydroxystrebloside
- (+)-3'-de-O-methylkamaloside
- (+)-strebloside
- lupeol
- β-sitosterol
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating bacterial infections, diarrhea, dysentery, fever-like symptoms, and inflammation. Practitioners often utilize various parts of the tree to manage gastrointestinal distress such as diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves and bark can also be prepared to help lower fever-like symptoms in patients. Additionally, the medicinal properties of the plant are applied to reduce inflammation throughout the body. These traditional applications highlight the versatile therapeutic role of the species in various healing practices.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic chemistry", Streblus asper is a medicinal plant in Asian countries including India and Thailand that possesses anti-tumor, anti-allergies, anti-parasitic, and anti-bacterial activities. Research identified twenty peaks of cardiac glycosides within the plant, including compounds 1, 2, 4, and 8. These specific compounds, such as glucosatrebloside (2) and mansonin (8), demonstrated significant activity in inhibiting Na+,K+-ATPase with an IC50 of 7.55-13.60 μM. The study utilized enzyme kinetics and molecular docking to reveal combination modes between these cardiac glycosides and Na+,K+-ATPase. These findings regarding the major compounds in four different parts of the plant provide a basis for further study of its pharmacological activity.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- bacterial infections
- diarrhea
- dysentery
- inflammation
- parasitic infections
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is processed into medicinal herbal preparations including 50% ethanol (v/v) extract, aqueous extracts, and butanol fraction to isolate its bioactive compounds. Researchers utilize these different solvent systems to target specific chemical constituents within the plant material. The aqueous extracts primarily capture water-soluble components, while the 50% ethanol (v/v) extract provides a broader range of polar and semi-polar substances. Furthermore, the butanol fraction is specifically employed to concentrate medium-polarity molecules such as certain glycosides. These diverse preparation methods allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the plant's therapeutic potential.
According to a study published by "Journal of pharmacy & bioallied sciences", aqueous extracts of the chewing stick Streblus asper possess inhibitory potential against bacteria present in dental plaque. The investigation showed that this plant demonstrates antibacterial efficacy against different kinds of plaque bacteria in vitro, mainly on aerobes. The study results indicate that the chewing sticks contained antibacterial agents, although the concentration and composition of these active substances differed. Because of these effects, the aqueous extracts could be used as a therapeutic agent. Consequently, Streblus asper appears to be a potent anti-microbial agent that could be considered as a medicinal plant.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 50% ethanol (v/v) extract
- aqueous extracts
- butanol fraction
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can treat elephantiasis because it possesses significant microfilaricidal activity against the parasites responsible for the disease. Researchers have identified that extracts from the bark and leaves are effective at reducing the concentration of microfilariae in the bloodstream. This biological action helps to mitigate the lymphatic swelling and tissue damage associated with the condition. By targeting these specific larvae, the plant serves as a traditional medicinal resource for managing parasitic infections. Various studies continue to investigate how these chemical properties can be utilized in modern pharmacology.
According to a study published by "Pharmacognosy magazine", the stem bark of Streblus asper is recommended in Ayurveda against elephantiasis. The methanol extract and its fractions were tested for anticancer activity against cell lines including MCF-7, A-549, Hep-G2, and K-562. All tested extracts were highly effective against the A-549 human lung cancer cell line with an IC50 < 10 μg/mL. On the Hep-G2 cancer cell line, only the chloroform fraction was highly active with an IC50 < 10 μg/mL. Additionally, the methanol and hexane fractions showed potent anticancer activity on the K-562 cancer cell line with an IC50 < 10 μg/mL. The methanol extract contains topmost abundant compounds including α-D-glucopyranoside at 10.60%, glycerol at 7.96%, myo-inositol at 4.90%, and butanedioic acid at 3.30%.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- elephantiasis
- microfilaricidal activity
What herbs are paired with Streblus asper?
This plant Streblus asper is frequently paired with ginger, turmeric, and holy basil in traditional medicinal formulations to enhance its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
When used in decoctions, the addition of ginger helps to balance the bitter profile of the leaves while stimulating circulation. Turmeric is often combined with the plant to create a potent topical paste for treating skin infections and swelling. In some regional practices, holy basil is integrated into herbal teas containing this plant to support digestive health and reduce fever.
These combinations aim to create a synergistic effect that maximizes the therapeutic efficacy of the primary botanical.