Tabernaemontana elegans
Tabernaemontana elegans, commonly known as the elegant pinwheel flower, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional ethnobotany, its leaves and bark possess significant bioactive properties. It is frequently utilized to treat various ailments, including skin infections, inflammation, and digestive issues, showcasing its therapeutic potential.
- Scientific name: Tabernaemontana elegans
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianales, falling into the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Tabernaemontana.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tabernaemontana | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found growing in Somalia. Its presence extends into East Tropical Africa, specifically within the countries of Kenya and Tanzania. Moving southward, the species is also documented in South Tropical Africa. Within this southern region, the plant is located in both Malawi and Mozambique.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Malawi | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Zimbabwe | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Eswatini | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | Northern Provinces | WCVP |
Chemicals
Tabernaemontana elegans has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include compound 7, conodurine, coronaridine, dregamine, monoterpene indole alkaloids.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| compound 7 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| conodurine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| coronaridine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dregamine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| monoterpene indole alkaloids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pachysiphine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tabernaemontanine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tabersonine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vinblastine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Tabernaemontana elegans has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antibacterial, Antihypertensive, Antitumor.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Tabernaemontana elegans has 17 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, antihypertensive, cancer.
- Total uses
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Helicobacter pylori | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium smegmatis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antihypertensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |