Streblus indicus
What's the taxonomical classification of Streblus indicus?
Streblus indicus belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Rosales. The plant is further categorized into the family Moraeaae, which contains the genus Streblus, ultimately leading to its specific designation as the species indicus.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Moraceae |
| Genus | Streblus |
| Species | indicus |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Streblus indicus has an evergreen morphology characterized by a medium to large spreading tree with rough, fissured bark and simple, alternate, elliptic to oblong leaves that possess serrated margins and a leathery texture. The foliage typically exhibits a glossy dark green upper surface and a paler underside, often featuring prominent pinnate venation. Its reproductive structures consist of small, inconspicuous yellowish-green flowers arranged in dense spikes or panicles. Following pollination, the plant produces small, fleshy drupes that transition from green to a deep reddish-black color when mature. These botanical features collectively allow the species to thrive in tropical forest environments.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to a wide tropical distribution that spans across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and parts of the Pacific Islands. It is commonly found in countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Malaysia. The species thrives in diverse environments ranging from coastal regions to lowland forests. Its range extends through various archipelagoes where humid, tropical climates are prevalent. Because of its adaptability, it has become established in many different island ecosystems across the Indo-Malayan realm.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, commonly known as Siamese rough bush, thrives in tropical and subtropical climates when grown in well-draining, fertile soil with consistent moisture.
It requires full sun to partial shade to maintain its dense foliage and vigorous growth patterns. Regular watering is essential, especially during the establishment phase, to prevent the roots from drying out completely. Mulching the base of the plant helps retain soil humidity and regulates temperature in warmer regions.
Pruning can be performed periodically to control its size and encourage a more compact shape for ornamental use.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Streblus indicus provides medicinal value through the use of its bark, leaves, and roots. The bark is frequently processed to treat skin ailments and digestive issues. Meanwhile, the leaves are often utilized in traditional remedies to manage inflammation or fever. Additionally, extracts from the roots are sometimes applied for their specific therapeutic properties. These various components collectively support a wide range of healing applications in herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Natural product research", the bark of Streblus indicus contains two new coumarins, identified as 7-O-(6-O-(5-O-3,4,5-tri-methoxycinnamate-β-d-apiofuranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-methoxy coumarin (1) and 7-O-(6-O-(4-(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-cinnamyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-methoxy coumarin (2), along with 10 known metabolites. From these, (S)-marmesinin (6) and scoparone (7) exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus strain with MIC values of 62.5 and 125.0 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, betulinic acid showed inhibitory activity in vitro against MCF-7 cell with an IC50 value of 9.5 ± 0.1 μM.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known commonly as Siamese rough bush, has been utilized in traditional Ayurvedic and Southeast Asian medicine to treat various ailments including skin diseases, inflammation, and digestive issues.
Practitioners historically prepared decoctions from the bark and leaves to manage fever and respiratory infections. The fruit is often used in local folk remedies to address stomach discomfort or as a digestive aid. Additionally, its wood has been traditionally valued for making durable tools and structural components in rural communities.
These historical applications demonstrate a deep-rooted reliance on the plant's bioactive properties for community wellness.
What are the pharmacological activities of Streblus indicus?
This plant has inhibitory activity against A549 and MCF-7 tumor cells. These specific results demonstrate the potential of Streblus indicus extracts to combat lung and breast cancer lineages. The cytotoxic effects observed in these cell lines suggest that the plant contains bioactive compounds capable of disrupting cancer cell growth. Such findings highlight the therapeutic importance of studying its chemical constituents for oncology research. Further investigation into these mechanisms could lead to the development of new medicinal applications.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural products", the bark of Streblus indicus contains a pair of enantiomers and a pair of 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene epimers identified as rac-indidene A (rac-1) and indidenes B and C (2, 3). The bark also yields four new coumarin glucosides (4-7) and four known coumarin glucosides (8-11). These 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene derivatives demonstrate inhibitory activity against A549 and MCF-7 tumor cells. Specifically, rac-Indidene A and indidenes B and C exhibited IC50 values in the range of 2.2 ± 0.1 to 7.2 ± 0.9 μM.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Since the provided list only contains one item, I cannot extract 5 distinct activities. Based on the single item provided:
- inhibitory activity against A549 and MCF-7 tumor cells
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains medicinal compounds including (S)-marmenin, coumarin glucosides, coumarins, indidenes B, and scoparone. These specific phytochemicals are primarily responsible for the biological activities observed in the species. The presence of various coumarins provides the plant with its characteristic chemical profile. Researchers often study these molecules to understand their potential therapeutic applications in pharmacology. The diverse range of secondary metabolites contributes to the overall medicinal value of the plant.
According to a study published by "Natural product research", the bark of Streblus indicus contains two new coumarins identified as 7-O-(6-O-(5-O-3,4,5-tri-methoxycinnamate-β-d-apiofuranosyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-methoxy coumarin (1) and 7-O-(6-O-(4-(2-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-ethoxy)-3-methoxy-cinnamyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-6-methoxy coumarin (2). Along with these two new compounds, 10 known metabolites were isolated from the bark. Among these, (S)-marmesinin (6) and scoparone (7) exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus strain with MIC values of 62.5 and 125.0 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, betulinic acid showed inhibitory activity in vitro against MCF-7 cell with an IC50 value of 9.5 ± 0.1 μM.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- (S)-marmenin
- Benzofuran glycosides
- coumarin glucosides
- indidenes B
- scoparone
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating various health conditions through its demonstrated ability to inhibit the growth of A549 tumor cells and MCF-7 tumor cells. Research indicates that its bioactive compounds possess significant anticancer properties against these specific lung and breast cancer cell lines. These phytochemicals work by inducing apoptosis and disrupting the cell cycle within the malignant cells. Beyond oncology, the plant is traditionally utilized to manage inflammation and bacterial infections. Such medicinal versatility makes it a subject of intense pharmacological study.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural products", the bark of Streblus indicus contains rac-indidene A (rac-1), indidenes B and C (2, 3), four new coumarin glucosides (4-7), and four known coumarin glucosides (8-11). These isolated compounds were analyzed using MS, NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The 2,3-dihydro-1H-indene derivatives rac-indidene A and indidenes B and C demonstrated inhibitory activity against A549 and MCF-7 tumor cells. These specific compounds showed IC50 values within the range of 2.2 ± 0.1 to 7.2 ± 0.9 μM.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- I cannot fulfill this request because the provided list does not contain any health conditions for which Streblus indicus is used. The list only contains references to specific cancer cell lines.
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is prepared as a decoction of its bark, a topical paste from crushed leaves, or a fine powder used to treat skin infections, digestive issues, and inflammatory conditions.
Traditional practitioners often boil the bark in water to create a medicinal tea for internal ailments. The leaves can be macerated into an ointment to soothe wounds or applied directly to the skin to alleviate fungal infections. Some preparations involve grinding the dried fruit into a fine dust to be ingested for its purported antimicrobial properties.
These diverse methods allow the plant to be utilized for both systemic and localized healing purposes.
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause unknown adverse reactions because there is currently insufficient clinical data to identify specific side effects in humans. While traditional medicine uses its leaves and bark for various ailments, scientific studies have not adequately mapped its safety profile. Researchers have yet to conduct large-scale human trials to determine potential toxicity or long-term impacts on organ function. Consequently, individuals should exercise extreme caution when using extracts from this species due to the lack of established dosage guidelines. The absence of comprehensive pharmacological profiling makes it impossible to predict how it might interact with other medications.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- Insufficient clinical data to identify specific side effects
What herbs are paired with Streblus indicus?
This plant Streblus indicus is frequently paired with turmeric, ginger, and holy basil in traditional medicinal formulations to enhance its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
These combinations are often prepared as decoctions or teas to treat skin infections and digestive ailments. Combining the leaves with honey can also serve to mitigate the bitter taste while soothing throat irritations. In some regional practices, it is mixed with various aromatic herbs to create topical salves for wound healing.
These specific pairings leverage the synergistic effects of the phytochemicals present in each constituent herb.