Syzygium cumini
Java plum
Syzygium cumini, commonly known as the Cuminia or Cuminia tree, is a rare medicinal plant indigenous to specific tropical regions. Renowned for its diverse therapeutic properties, it is utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, offering significant pharmacological potential through its unique bioactive compounds and antioxidant capabilities.
- Scientific name: Syzygium cumini
- Family: Myrtaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Myrtales, and the family Myrtaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Syzygium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Myrtaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Syzygium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Syzygium cumini, is known by various names across different linguistic and cultural contexts. In Dhivehi, it is referred to as ދަނބު, while in Chinese, its names vary slightly by script and region: it is written as 阎浮树 in Simplified Chinese (zh-hans and zh-cn) and as 閻浮樹 in Traditional Chinese (zh-hant and zh-hk).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| dv | ދަނބު | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 阎浮树 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 閻浮樹 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 閻浮樹 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 阎浮树 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 阎浮树 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 堇寶蓮 | Wikidata |
| map-bms | Dhuwet | Wikidata |
| jv | Dhuwet | Wikidata |
| pl | Czapetka kuminowa | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in the countries of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Moving toward the eastern part of the continent, the species can be found throughout East Tropical Africa. Specifically, it inhabits the territories of Kenya and Tanzania. Furthermore, its range extends into Uganda, completing its notable presence within the East Tropical African zone.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Syzygium cumini, possesses various anatomical components that are utilized for its medicinal properties. The lush green leaves are often the most accessible part for topical or decoction-based treatments. For reproductive and therapeutic purposes, the plant produces distinct fruits that eventually contain the seeds. Within each fruit, a single or multiple seed can be found, both of which may hold specific bioactive compounds essential to its traditional uses.- Total parts
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 41
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| fruits | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| seeds | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| fruit | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| bark | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| barks | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leaf | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed powder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Syzygium cumini has 83 reported phytochemicals identified across 129 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, gallic acid, ellagic acid, Myricetin, anthocyanins.
- Total chemicals
- 83
- Scientific sources
- 129
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 10 | ★★★★★ |
| gallic acid | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| ellagic acid | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Myricetin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| anthocyanins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| flavonoid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| myricetin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Syzygium cumini has 24 reported activities identified across 64 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Hypoglycemic, Antimicrobial, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 64
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| Antidiabetic | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipyretic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Syzygium cumini has 63 reported medicinal uses identified across 83 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, antioxidant, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes, Bacillus subtilis.
- Total uses
- 63
- Scientific sources
- 83
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| type 2 diabetes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Bacillus subtilis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vibrio cholerae | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diabetes mellitus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |