Toona ciliata
What's the taxonomical classification of Toona ciliata?
Toona ciliaata belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. Its taxonomic progression continues through the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, placing it within the order Sapindales. Further classification identifies it as a member of the family Meliaceae, specifically falling under the genus Toona, with its unique biological designation being the species ciliata.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Meliaceae |
| Genus | Toona |
| Species | ciliata |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Toona ciliata has a large deciduous tree structure characterized by pinnate leaves, fragrant yellowish flowers, and drupaceous fruits that are often winged for wind dispersal. The leaves are composed of several pairs of leaflets that are arranged oppositely along a central rachis. Its bark is typically greyish and smooth, though it can become fissured as the tree matures into a massive specimen. The flowers are small and clustered in panicles, releasing a distinct scent during the blooming season. The resulting fruit is a woody capsule that splits to reveal seeds, which are frequently equipped with wings to facilitate spreading.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical regions of India, extending through parts of Southeast Asia and reaching into certain areas of the Indo-Malayan realm. It is commonly found in deciduous forests and moist tropical habitats where seasonal rainfall is sufficient for its growth. The distribution patterns show a high density within the Indian subcontinent, particularly in areas with well-drained soil. It also occurs in specific pockets of Myanmar and other neighboring tropical countries. These geographical ranges are largely determined by the availability of sunlight and specific moisture levels found in these forest ecosystems.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, commonly known as Indian Mahua, is cultivated primarily in tropical and subtropical climates through the collection of wild seeds and the establishment of nurseries in well-drained, deep loamy soils.
The cultivation process typically begins with the sowing of seeds during the monsoon season to ensure adequate moisture for germination. Once the saplings reach a certain height, they are transplanted into permanent sites where they require minimal irrigation after the initial establishment phase. These trees thrive in open environments with full sunlight and are valued for their ability to grow in diverse soil types ranging from sandy to clayey.
Mature trees require very little maintenance, though careful management of the surrounding area helps prevent competition from invasive weeds.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Toona ciliata utilizes its heartwood, leaves, flowers, roots, and stem bark for various medicinal applications. The heartwood is frequently employed in traditional remedies to treat various ailments due to its concentrated bioactive compounds. Its leaves and flowers are often used in preparations to address skin conditions and inflammatory issues. The roots provide essential components for treating digestive problems and other systemic concerns. Additionally, the stem bark is processed to create decoctions used for their antimicrobial and healing properties.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Toona ciliata is a traditional woody plant that can be used as a medicinal material in China. The extracts of its roots, stems, leaves, and flowers all have a wide range of bioactive compounds. In the study involving transcriptome sequencing of young stems, the expression level of the TcMYB3 gene reached a maximum of 28-fold at 12 h. Researchers performed transcriptome sequencing on young stems eaten by HRM for 0, 3, 12, and 21 h. A large number of differentially expressed genes were identified, including 263 jointly up-regulated genes and 378 down-regulated genes.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- flowers
- heart wood
- leaf
- roots
- stem bark
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as Ain Ganda or Indian Kino, has been utilized in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for centuries to treat gastrointestinal ailments, wounds, and inflammation.
The dried exudate from the bark is primarily used as an astringent to control diarrhea and dysentery. Historically, its antiseptic properties allowed it to be applied topically to promote healing in skin lesions and ulcers. In various regional practices, it has also been employed as a tonic to manage bleeding disorders and internal hemorrhages.
This versatile resin remains a significant component in many herbal formulations aimed at restoring bodily equilibrium.
What are the pharmacological activities of Toona ciliata?
This plant has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant pharmacological activities derived from its diverse phytochemical profile. Its antioxidant properties help neutralize free radicals, thereby protecting cells from oxidative stress and damage. The plant also demonstrates significant antibacterial and antifungal capabilities, making it useful for combating various microbial infections. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer effects provide therapeutic potential for managing gastrointestinal issues and systemic inflammation. These combined medicinal actions highlight the plant's importance in traditional and modern pharmacological research.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural products", the stem barks of Toona ciliata Roem. var. henryi yielded 18 compounds, which included 8 new isolates: three new protolimonoids (1-3), two new tirucaLLane-type triterpenoids (4 and 5), and three new tetranortriterpenoids (6-8). These new isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity using 6 human cancer cell lines. Compounds 4 and 5 demonstrated moderate cytotoxicities during these evaluations. Additionally, the protolimonoids 1-3 exhibited marked inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-ulcer
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- antioxidant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several unique medicinal compounds including girinimbine, toonaciliatavarins A-H, toonaolides A-X, protolimonoids, and coumarins. These chemical constituents are primarily concentrated within the seeds and bark of the species. The presence of specific toonacolides and various coumarins contributes to the plant's diverse pharmacological profile. Additionally, the protolimonoids and girinimbine play significant roles in its bioactive properties. Researchers study these specific molecules to understand the therapeutic potential of the plant.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", the oils of Toona ciliata contain specific chemical constituents identified through GC-MS/MS analysis. The volatile oil contains 60% sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including Santalene at 8.55% and Himachal-7-ol at 6.69%. The non-volatile oils contain 48.89% oxygenated sesquiterpenes. Major compounds reported for the first time in the non-volatile oils include Rutamarin at 52.55%, beta-Himachalol at 9.53%, Girinimbine at 6.68%, and Oprea1 at 6.24%. These oils and the aqueous extract demonstrate anti-venom and procoagulant activities.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Girinimbine
- Toonaciliatavarins A-H
- toonaolides A-X
- dyscusin C
- siderin
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimalarial, antimicrobial, and antidiabetic health conditions. Its diverse chemical compounds provide significant therapeutic benefits for managing systemic inflammation and fighting various pathogens. Researchers have investigated its potential to inhibit tumor growth and regulate blood glucose levels in diabetic subjects. Additionally, the plant exhibits strong properties that can combat malaria parasites and harmful microbial infections. These multifaceted medicinal qualities make it a valuable subject in ethnopharmacological studies.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Toona ciliata heart wood is used in folklore medicine for the treatment of toothache and strengthening of gums, anthelmintiic, kidney diseases, analgesic, anti-inflammarotory, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycaemic and anticancer. The ethanolic extract of this plant was evaluated for analgesic activity at three dose level (100, 300 and 500mg/kg). The analgesic activity was significant with the Toona ciliata heart wood ethanolic extract when compared with other extracts. This specific activity was further confirmed by the tail immersion method.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-hyperglycaemic
- anti-cancer
- anti-helminthic
- anti-bacterial infections
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations including acetone extract, ethyl acetate fraction, and various oils. Researchers utilize acetone extraction to isolate specific bioactive compounds from the plant tissues for therapeutic study. Following this, an ethyl acetate fraction is often produced to concentrate certain phytochemicals that possess significant biological activity. Additionally, the plant material can be processed into oils which serve as topical applications or carriers for other medicinal components. These diverse preparations allow for the targeted extraction of the plant's natural healing properties.
According to a study published by "Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM", the Toona ciliaata methanol extract resulted in the highest percentage yield of 20.83%. This plant produced methanol and acetone extracts with high total phenols and flavonoids content. The acetone extract of Toona ciliaata demonstrated activity in the DPPH scavenging and FRAP assays with EC50 values of 1.90 mg/ml and 5.26 mg/ml, respectively. Regarding antiglycation ability, the methanol, acetone, and hexane extracts of Toona ciliaata resulted in 2.49%, 2.79%, and 2.56% glycation. Additionally, the hexane extract of Toona ciliaata was less toxic to C2C12 cells with a CC50 value of 402.16 μg/ml.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- acetone extract
- ethyl acetate fraction
- oils
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause significant health side effects including hypoglycemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dizziness. The presence of bioactive compounds may lead to an excessive drop in blood sugar levels, resulting in hypoglycemia. Gastrointestinal distress is also common, frequently manifesting as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or intense abdominal pain. Some individuals may experience neurological symptoms such as dizziness following consumption. These adverse reactions highlight the importance of cautious usage when interacting with this species.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- Hypoglycemia
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
What herbs are paired with Toona ciliata?
This plant Toona ciliata is most commonly paired with medicinal herbs such as Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, and various species of Terminalia to enhance its therapeutic efficacy in traditional Ayurvedic formulations.
These combinations are specifically designed to balance the plant's inherent properties and improve its ability to treat inflammatory conditions or skin ailments. Practitioners often incorporate ginger to stimulate digestion and turmeric to augment the anti-inflammatory effects of the bark or leaves. Some regional practices also suggest using forest-grown shrubs alongside it to create complex decoctions for systemic wellness.
This synergy of botanical ingredients helps standardize the potency of the resulting herbal remedies.