Tabernaemontana corymbosa
Tabernaemontana corymbosa · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is a medicinal plant recognized for its diverse therapeutic potential and unique chemical profile. The plant contains significant alkaloids such as coronaridine, coronaridine hydroxyindolenine, ibogaine, and voacangine hydroxyindolenine. Researchers utilize various plant parts, including the leaves and stems, to develop medicinal preparations like leaf extracts and stem bark extracts. These preparations demonstrate notable antibacterial activities, specifically showing efficacy against Bacillus subtilis. Furthermore, studies suggest its application in treating various conditions, including fever, glioma, and orchitis.
- Synonyms
- Ervatamia Continentalis · Ervatamia Continentalis Var. Pubiflora · 39 more
- Common names
- Not available
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Distribution
- Not available
- Plant Parts
- Leaf · Stem
Classification
Common Names
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is a versatile species known by a diverse array of names across different cultures and languages. In certain regions, it is commonly referred to as Cây Xuang Ca or Cây Xuang Ca. It also holds local significance under the names Ko Tinh Peti and Sang La. Furthermore, the plant is identified in Cyrillic script as Табернемонтана щитковидная. These various designations highlight the widespread botanical recognition of this unique plant.
Sources: Catalogue of Life (COL)
Synonyms
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is a botanical species that is frequently associated with several different taxonomic synonyms. Within its complex classification, it is recognized under the name Ervatamia corymbosa. The plant also shares historical nomenclature with Ervatamia baviensis and Ervatamia chinensis. Furthermore, its identity is linked to Ervatamia continentalis, including the specific variety Ervatamia continentalis var. pubiflora. Understanding these overlapping names is essential for accurate identification in botanical studies.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Taxonomy
Tabernaemontana corymbosa belongs to the vast kingdom Plantae, representing a diverse group of living organisms. Within this realm, the species is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It further resides in the order Gentianales, which helps define its specific botanical characteristics. This plant is a member of the family Apocynaceae, a group often known for its unique floral structures. Ultimately, it is identified by its specific genus, Tabernaemontana, which distinguishes it from other related species.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Gentianales |
| Family | Apocynaceae |
| Genus | Tabernaemontana |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
Geographic Regions
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is a diverse species with a broad geographical reach across various Asian regions. In temperate climates, it can be found throughout China, specifically spanning the South-Central and Southeast territories as well as the island of Hainan. Moving into tropical zones, the plant's presence extends deeply into the Indian Subcontinent, including nations such as Bangladesh. Its habitat also encompasses the Indo-China region, with established populations located in Cambodia. This wide distribution highlights the plant's ability to thrive in both temperate and tropical environments across the continent.
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Identification
Morphology
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is a self-supporting plant that typically takes the form of a tree. Depending on its specific environmental conditions, this species can reach a maximum height of 5 meters or even up to 10 meters. Its sturdy structural growth makes it a prominent feature in its native habitat. This versatile plant provides a reliable architectural presence within its ecosystem.
Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)
Biological Activities
Tabernaemontana corymbosa serves as a valuable source of unique chemical compounds, most notably the 18-normonoterpenoid indole alkaloid known as Tabernaecorymine A. Extracted from the plant's stem bark, this specific alkaloid features a distinctive conjugated (E)-3-aminoacrylaldehyde fragment. Researchers utilized advanced spectroscopic data, electronic circular dichroism, and density functional theory to accurately verify its complex structure. Most significantly, the compound demonstrates potent antibacterial activity, particularly against the pathogen Streptococcus dysgalactiae. With a minimum inhibitory concentration of 3.12 μg/mL, its effectiveness even surpasses that of the well-known plant drug berberine.
Compounds
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is a Malayan species known for its rich profile of diverse indole alkaloids. Chemical analysis of its leaf and stem-bark extracts has revealed the presence of several important iboga-type compounds. Specifically, this plant contains 19-epi-isovoacristine as well as the notable alkaloid ibogaine. Furthermore, research confirms that the species holds significant concentrations of coronaridine and coronaridine hydroxyindolenine. The botanical profile is completed by the presence of voacangine hydroxyindolenine, highlighting the plant's complex chemical makeup.
Conditions
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is utilized in traditional medicine to treat conditions such as fever and fractures. The plant's alkaloids have also demonstrated significant therapeutic potential against glioma through various inhibitory effects on cancer cell lines. While certain indole alkaloids show antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Trichophyton rubrum, these specific actions are attributed to compounds isolated from Ervatamia chinensis rather than T. corymbosa. However, the broader phytochemical profile of T. corymbosa remains a vital source for studying diverse biological activities. These diverse relationships highlight the significant medicinal value found within the species.
Preparations
Tabernaemontana corymbosa is prepared as a leaf extract to isolate various alkaloids, such as the cytotoxic jerantinines A-G and several new bisindole alkaloids. The plant is also prepared as a leaf and stem-bark extract, a method used to obtain five new iboga-type indole alkaloids. Additionally, Tabernaemontana corymbosa is prepared as stem bark to yield the antibacterial compound Tabernaecorymine A. These different preparation methods allow for the extraction of diverse chemical constituents from the Malayan species. Each specific part of the plant serves as a source for unique medicinal compounds through these specialized extraction processes.
Parts used
Tabernaemontana corymbosa serves as a rich botanical source for a diverse array of bioactive indole alkaloids. Research has demonstrated that the leaves of this species contain significant compounds, such as tabercarpamines A-J and jerantinines A-G, which exhibit notable apoptosis-inducing and cytotoxic properties. Furthermore, various bisindole alkaloids have been successfully isolated from leaf extracts of the Malayan species. Beyond the foliage, the stem and stem-bark of the plant also yield valuable chemical constituents. These stem-derived substances include new iboga alkaloids and the antibacterial agent tabernaecorymine A.