Tephrosia purpurea
Wild indigo
Tephrosia purpurea, commonly known as Purple Tea, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, this plant is traditionally used to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues. Its bioactive compounds offer significant therapeutic potential in modern pharmacological research and herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Tephrosia purpurea
- Family: Fabaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales. Finally, it is a member of the family Fabaceae and falls under the genus Tephrosia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Fabales | WCVP |
| Family | Fabaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tephrosia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Tephrosia purpurea, is recognized by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Vietnam, it is referred to as Cốt khí tía, while in India, it holds specific traditional names such as उन्हाळी in Marathi, వెంపలి in Telugu, and കൊഴിഞ്ഞിൽ in Malayalam. Additionally, in Chinese, it is commonly called 灰毛豆.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| vi | Cốt khí tía | Wikidata |
| mr | उन्हाळी | Wikidata |
| te | వెంపలి | Wikidata |
| ml | കൊഴിഞ്ഞിൽ | Wikidata |
| zh | 灰毛豆 | Wikidata |
| ar | حويرة أرجوانية | Wikidata |
| or | ଶରପୁଙ୍ଖା | Wikidata |
| ta | கொழுஞ்சி | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 灰毛豆 | Wikidata |
| fa | نیلکی ارغوانی | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several key regions in Africa and its surrounding islands. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the countries of Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco. Its range also extends to the Macaronesian region, specifically within the archipelago of Cape Verde. Furthermore, the species is documented in West Tropical Africa, particularly in Benin. Together, these locations highlight the plant's presence in both arid and tropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Tephrosia purpurea, is valued in traditional medicine for various therapeutic properties derived from its different anatomical structures. While many medicinal applications utilize the whole plant, much of its efficacy is concentrated within the aerial parts, which include the visible above-ground structures. Specifically, the shoots and the vibrant leaves are frequently harvested for decoctions and extracts due to their rich phytochemical content. Additionally, the root system may also be employed in certain preparations, ensuring that nearly every component of the organism contributes to its medicinal profile.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aerial parts | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| shoots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Tephrosia purpurea has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 25 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include deguelin, (+)-purpurin, (+)-tephropurpurin, (+)-tephrorin B, (+)-tephrosone.
- Total chemicals
- 24
- Scientific sources
- 25
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| deguelin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-purpurin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-tephropurpurin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-tephrorin B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-tephrosone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-maackiain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-medicarpin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3'-methoxydaidzein | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3beta-hydroxy-20(29)-lupene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aromatic ester | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Tephrosia purpurea has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Antihyperlipidemic, Antioxidant, Bronchodilator, Spasmolytic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bronchodilator | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Spasmolytic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Vasorelaxant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Tephrosia purpurea has 21 reported medicinal uses identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Ascaris lumbricoides, Coronavirus infection, Diabetes mellitus, SARS-CoV-2.
- Total uses
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ascaris lumbricoides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Coronavirus infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diabetes mellitus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Witches'-Broom Disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bipolar disorder | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breathlessness | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |