Terminalia citrina
What's the taxonomical classification of Terminalia citrina?
Terminalia citrina belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Its taxonomic hierarchy continues through the order Myrtales and the family Combretaceae. Finally, the plant is defined by its specific placement within the genus Terminalia, specifically identified as the species citrina.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Family | Combretaceae |
| Genus | Terminalia |
| Species | citrina |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Terminalia citrina has a large, spreading tree habit characterized by a thick, rugged trunk and branches that form a dense, rounded crown. The leaves are simple, alternate, and oblong in shape with an entire margin and a smooth, leathery texture. Small, fragrant, cream-colored flowers emerge in clusters from the leaf axils, often appearing during the warmer months. The fruit develops into an ovoid or ellipsoid drupe that turns yellow when mature, giving the species its common name. This tree typically reaches heights of up to twenty meters, depending on its specific environmental conditions.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South and Southeast Asia, including countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and parts of Indonesia. It thrives primarily in lowland areas where warm temperatures and seasonal rainfall patterns are prevalent. The species is frequently found growing in moist deciduous forests and along the edges of riverine habitats. In certain parts of its range, it also populates coastal scrublands and seasonally flooded plains. These specific environmental conditions allow the plant to spread effectively across its diverse natural territories.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Terminalia citrina, is best cultivated in tropical or subtropical climates with well-draining soil and consistent sunlight to ensure healthy fruit production.
It thrives in warm environments where temperatures remain stable and avoids frost. Regular watering is necessary during the initial growth stages, though mature trees can tolerate periods of moderate drought. Providing ample space is vital because the tree can grow quite large and requires room for its root system to expand.
Once established, the tree produces fragrant white flowers that eventually develop into edible, citrus-like fruits.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant utilizes its fruit and leaves for various medicinal applications in traditional healing practices. The fruit is often processed into juices or decoctions to treat digestive ailments and fever. Meanwhile, the leaves are frequently crushed or boiled to create topical applications for skin irritations and inflammation. These different components provide a versatile range of bioactive compounds used to manage various health conditions. Together, both the fruit and leaf serve as essential elements in the therapeutic use of Terminalia citrina.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", the fruit CH3OH extract of Terminalia citrina was isolated to yield five known tannins. These specific tannins identified were corilagin (1) (3), punicalagin (2) (4), 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (3) (5), chebulagic acid (4) (6), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (5) (7). The identification was achieved through a comparison of physical and spectral data with authentic samples. These five tannins were then tested for their antimicrobial action.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- fruit
- leaf
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Terminalia citrina, is utilized within Traditional Myanmar Medicine to treat various ailments through the application of its fruit, bark, and leaves. Practitioners often prepare decoctions from the bark to address digestive issues or skin inflammations. The sour fruit is frequently used in local folk remedies to alleviate symptoms of fever and stomach discomfort. Historical uses also include employing the plant's astringent properties to manage wound healing and topical infections. These diverse applications demonstrate the long-standing integration of the species into regional botanical knowledge.
According to a study published by "Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM", Terminalia citrina Roxb. ex Fleming (My21) is one of the traditional Myanmar medicinal plants investigated. This plant was among 93 EtOH extracts tested to screen for inhibitory activities. Out of 71 crude drugs traditionally used, Terminalia citrina was identified as one of five plants that showed potent inhibitory activities against the secretion of T3SS proteins SipA/B/C/D of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium UK-1 χ8956. The study provides scientific evidence regarding the traditional knowledge in Myanmar of using such plants as medicines for treating infections and gastrointestinal disease. Further researches are proposed to discover the active chemical compounds and mechanism of T. citrina as an antivirulence drug.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Myanmar Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Terminalia citrina?
This plant has antibacterial, antimicrobial, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and cholinesterase inhibition activities. The diverse chemical profile of Terminalia citrina allows it to combat various pathogenic microorganisms effectively. Its potent antioxidant properties help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress within biological systems. Research also indicates that the plant exhibits cytotoxic effects which may be relevant in cancer research studies. Furthermore, its ability to provide cholinesterase inhibition suggests potential therapeutic applications for managing neurodegenerative conditions.
According to a study published by "Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)", the leaf extracts of Terminalia citrina demonstrated noteworthy antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus with MICs of 468.8 µg/mL for the aqueous extract and 562.5 µg/mL for the methanol extract. These extracts were also effective against MRSA with MICs of 625 µg/mL. Against S. aureus, the aqueous extract showed an MIC of 625 µg/mL, while the methanol extract showed an MIC of 833.3 µg/mL. Twelve combinations of these extracts and conventional antibiotics were found to be synergistic against B. cereus and S. flexneri. Finally, both extracts were determined to be nontoxic.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- antibacterial activity
- antimicrobial
- antioxidant
- cytotoxic
- cholinesterase inhibition
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds terminalin, terminaloside L, terminaloside M, terminaloside O, and terminaloside P. These specific phytochemicals belong to the group of hydrolyzable tannins found within the species. Scientific investigations often focus on these constituents due to their potential biological activities. The presence of these glycosides contributes to the overall therapeutic profile of the plant. Researchers continue to study how these individual molecules interact with human cellular pathways.
According to a study published by "Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)", Terminalia citrina leaf extracts contain diverse medicinal compounds including vitexin 2″-O-p-coumarate, ellagic acid, orientin, rutin, chebulic acid, terminalin, and quercetin-3β-D-glucoside. The aqueous extract uniquely contains two flavonoids, orientin 2″-O-gallate and astragalin. In contrast, the methanol extract contained only pinocembrin and gallic acid. These extracts demonstrated antibacterial activity with MICs of 468.8 µg/mL and 562.5 µg/mL for Bacillus cereus using aqueous and methanol extracts, respectively. Against MRSA, the extracts showed MICs of 625 µg/mL. Furthermore, S. aureus was affected by the aqueous extract at 625 µg/mL and the methanol extract at 833.3 µg/mL.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- terminalin
- terminaloside L
- terminaloside M
- terminaloside O
- terminaloside P
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating foodborne illnesses, gastrointestinal disease, various infections, various ailments, and oxidative damage. Its bioactive compounds help combat harmful pathogens that cause digestive distress and systemic infections. The plant also possesses antioxidant properties that protect cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals. These therapeutic actions make it a versatile resource for addressing a wide range of various ailments. By mitigating inflammation and microbial growth, it supports overall digestive health.
According to a study published by "Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland)", Terminalia citrina leaf extracts are evaluated for their antibacterial activity against four bacterial pathogens. The aqueous extract showed antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus with an MIC of 468.8 µg/mL, while the methanol extract showed an MIC of 562.5 µg/mL. Both extracts were effective against a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain with MICs of 625 µg/mL. Additionally, the extracts were effective against S. aureus with MICs of 625 µg/mL for the aqueous extract and 833.3 µg/mL for the methanol extract. Twelve combinations of these extracts and conventional antibiotics were found to be synergistic against B. cereus and S. flexneri.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- foodborne illnesses
- gastrointestinual disease
- infections
- various ailments
- oxidative damage
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Terminalia citrina, a species utilized to produce medicinal herbal preparations such as CH3OH extract and EtOH extracts. These specific chemical extractions are used to isolate bioactive compounds for therapeutic applications. The methanol-based CH3OH extract often targets polar constituents within the plant tissue. Similarly, the ethanol-based EtOH extracts serve to concentrate various phytochemicals for medicinal use. Researchers study these diverse preparations to evaluate their potential pharmacological properties.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", the isolation of the fruit CH3OH extract of Terminalia citrina yielded five known tannins. These identified substances include corilagin (1) (3), punicalagin (2) (4), 1,3,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (3) (5), chebulagic acid (4) (6), and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucopyranose (5) (7). The identification was achieved by comparison of their physical and spectral data with those of authentic samples. These five tannins were tested for antimicrobial action.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- CH3OH extract
- EtOH extracts
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause significant physiological harm due to its demonstrated cytotoxicity and mutagenicity in biological studies. The presence of certain bioactive compounds may trigger cell death by disrupting essential metabolic processes within healthy tissues. Furthermore, the potential for mutagenicity suggests that these chemical constituents can induce genetic mutations by altering DNA structures. Such cellular damage raises serious concerns regarding the long-term safety of consuming any part of the species. Consequently, rigorous toxicological assessments are necessary to understand the full scope of its adverse health implications.
According to a study published by "EXCLI journal", the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Terminalia citrina fruit exhibited significant mutagenicity in Salmonella TA 100 and 102 strains. The ethanolic extract showed higher mutagenicity in the TA 100 strain, while the aqueous extract of Terminalia citrina exhibited higher mutagenicity in the TA 102 strain than the TA 100 strain. Both extracts demonstrated a dose-dependent mutagenicity. Regarding cytotoxicity in the baby hamster kidney cell line (BHK-21), fifty percent cell viability was exhibited by 260 µg/mL of the ethanolic extract and 545 µg/mL of the aqueous extract. These results suggest that the ethanolic and aqueous fruit extracts of Terminalia citrina may not be safe due to their mutagenic and cytotoxic potential.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- cytotoxicity
- mutagenicity
What herbs are paired with Terminalia citrina?
This plant, commonly known as kaffir lime, pairs exceptionally well with aromatic herbs such as lemongrass, galangal, basil, and cilantro.
The bright, citrusy notes of the leaves complement the earthy undertones found in these botanical partners. When used in culinary applications, the citrus profile helps to elevate the fragrance of mint and Thai basil in salads or soups. Additionally, combining these herbs with ginger provides a spicy contrast that balances the tartness of the citrus.
This synergy creates a complex flavor profile frequently utilized in Southeast Asian cuisine.