Swietenia macrophylla
Big-leaf mahogany
Swietenia macrophylla, commonly known as the Chinese Mahogany, is a versatile medicinal plant valued in traditional practices. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is frequently utilized to treat inflammatory conditions, skin ailments, and digestive issues. This species plays a crucial role in herbal medicine and regional biodiversity conservation.
- Scientific name: Swietenia macrophylla
- Family: Meliaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Swietenia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Meliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Swietenia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Swietenia macrophyllia, is recognized by various common names across different languages and regions. In Thailand, it is called มะฮอกกานีใบใหญ่, while in Chinese, it is referred to as 大叶桃花心木. In Portuguese-speaking areas, it is known as Mogno, and in Vietnam, it is called Nhạc ngựa (cây gỗ). Additionally, in Esperanto, the species is identified as Grandfolia svitenio.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| th | มะฮอกกานีใบใหญ่ | Wikidata |
| eo | Grandfolia svitenio | Wikidata |
| zh | 大叶桃花心木 | Wikidata |
| pt | Mogno | Wikidata |
| vi | Nhạc ngựa (cây gỗ) | Wikidata |
| su | Mahoni | Wikidata |
| ml | മഹാഗണി | Wikidata |
| fi | amerikanaitomahonki | Wikidata |
| pnb | ہونڈوراس مہاگنی | Wikidata |
| ta | மகாகனி | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found inhabiting the islands of Comoros and the Seychelles. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in Bangladesh. Additionally, the species is present within the Indo-China region, specifically located around the Andaman Islands. Finally, its presence reaches into Eastern Asia, with populations established in Taiwan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Nicobar Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Swietenia macrophylla, is characterized by a distinctive reproductive structure that begins with the development of a large, woody fruit. Within this capsule, the plant produces several hard seeds, each contained inside a protective casing. The most notable feature for consumption is the edible nut found within, specifically the edible part of the nut which is often utilized for its nutritional or medicinal properties. Whether one is examining the individual seed or the entire fruit, each component plays a vital role in the life cycle and traditional uses of this species.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edible part of the nut | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edible Nut | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Swietenia macrophylla has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Swietenine, swietenolide, 3-O-benzoyl-3-detigloylisoswietenine, 6-O-benzoylswietenine, 6-O-benzoylswietenolide.
- Total chemicals
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Swietenine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| swietenolide | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-O-benzoyl-3-detigloylisoswietenine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-O-benzoylswietenine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6-O-benzoylswietenolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Febrifugin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Swietenolide | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| swietenine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Swietenia macrophylla has 12 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimalarial, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifeedant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Swietenia macrophylla has 12 reported medicinal uses identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection, antidiabetic, antimalarial, antioxidant, antiviral.
- Total uses
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 12
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetic nephropathy | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative injury | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |