Ulmus davidiana
What's the taxonomical classification of Ulmus davidiana?
Ulmus davidiana belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Its taxonomic progression continues through the order Rosales and into the family Ulmaceae. Finally, the plant is categorized under the genus Ulmus, with its specific identification being the species davidiana.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Ulmaceae |
| Genus | Ulmus |
| Species | davidiana |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Ulmus davidiana has deciduous, alternate leaves that are typically ovate or elliptical in shape, featuring doubly serrated margins and an asymmetrical base. The leaf texture is often scabrid, meaning it feels rough to the touch due to small, stiff hairs on the upper surface. These leaves are arranged along woody branches that exhibit a spreading canopy structure typical of the elm family. The bark of the mature tree becomes deeply furrowed and darkens in color as the specimen ages. Small, inconspicuous flowers emerge in early spring, followed by winged samaras that facilitate wind dispersal of the seeds.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to a broad range across East Asia, specifically spanning China, Korea, and Japan. In China, its presence is widespread across various provinces including Henan, Hubei, and Sichuan. The species also populates the temperate regions of the Korean Peninsula and several islands within the Japanese archipelago. These populations are typically found in diverse habitats such as riverbanks, mountain slopes, and deciduous forests. Its distribution is largely dictated by the availability of moist soils and temperate climates found in these specific regions.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, fertile soil and full sun to optimal growth in temperate climates.
It thrives when planted in areas with consistent moisture but remains relatively drought-tolerant once its root system is established. Gardeners should provide regular mulch to help retain soil moisture and suppress competing weeds. Pruning is often necessary to maintain its structure and to remove any dead or diseased branches.
This deciduous species is particularly valued for its ability to adapt to various soil types including clay and loam.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant utilizes the bark of Ulmus davidiana as its primary medicinal component for treating various ailments. The inner bark is often harvested and processed to create decoctions or topical applications. Practitioners frequently use these preparations to address inflammatory conditions and skin irritations. Additionally, the bark contains specific phytochemicals that contribute to its traditional therapeutic properties. This specific part of the tree remains the most valued element in its medicinal application.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the bark of Ulmus davidiana Planch is used to create a methanol extract and its fractions. The butanol fraction of this methanol extract of the bark showed marked inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis was reflected in the decreased amount of iNOS protein as determined by Western blotting. While the butanol fraction did not affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells, it reduced endogenous nitric oxide-induced apoptotic cell death. These results demonstrate that the butanol fraction inhibits nitric oxide synthesis by inhibition of the induction of iNOS in murine macrophages.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Ulmus davidiana, has been utilized extensively in Traditional Korean Medicine to treat various ailments through its bark and leaves. Practitioners historically relied on its cooling properties to address inflammatory conditions and skin disorders. The bark was often prepared in decoctions to alleviate digestive issues and promote healing of internal wounds. Additionally, certain parts of the plant were used in topical applications to soothe swelling and reduce pain. These long-standing practices reflect the significant role the species has played in regional herbal pharmacology for centuries.
According to a study published by "Current pharmaceuticaal biotechnology", the root bark of Ulmus davidiana Nakai (Ulmaceae) is a traditional Korean medicinal plant. This plant is used for treating inflammatory diseases. The study investigated the Nrf2-activating effect of U. davidiana and identified n-butyl alpha-D-fructofuranoside (NBF) as a novel activator. NBF increased the expression of Nrf2-dependent detoxifying enzymes, including HO-1 and NQO-1, in a dose-dependent manner. This research represents the first study to report on the Nrf2-activating effect of U. davidiana and NBF.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Korean Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Ulmus davidiana?
This plant has anti-inflammatory properties and demonstrates the ability to achieve inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis. These pharmacological activities are primarily driven by its complex bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids. By regulating the production of nitric oxide, the plant helps to mitigate oxidative stress within cellular environments. This mechanism is particularly significant for reducing systemic inflammation and protecting tissues from damage. Such results suggest that Ulmus davidiana holds considerable potential for developing therapeutic agents targeting inflammatory disorders.
According to a study published by "Current pharmaceutical biotechnology", the root bark of Ulmus davidiana is a traditional Korean medicinal plant used for treating inflammatory diseases. The plant and its constituent compounds, such as catechin-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, alpha-nigerose, n-butyl alpha-D-fructofuranoside (NBF), and procyanidin B3, enhanced the transcriptional activity of Nrf2. Specifically, NBF exhibited ROS-independent Nrf2 activation and increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 along with the expression of Nrf2-dependent detoxifying enzymes, including HO-1 and NQO-1, in a dose-dependent manner. This NBF-induced Nrf2 activation was mediated by the phosphorylation of JNK. Furthermore, pretreatment with NBF inhibited the LPS-induced expression of pro-inflammatory genes.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the specific medicinal compounds davidianoanes A, davidianoanes B, davidianoanes C, mansonones E, and mansonones F. These unique sesquiterpenoid derivatives are primary phytochemical constituents found within the species Ulmus davidiana. Researchers study these molecules to understand their potential pharmacological activities and biological properties. The presence of such distinct compounds contributes to the overall medicinal profile of the plant. Further chemical analysis of these substances helps in the development of new therapeutic applications.
According to a study published by "Phytochemistry", three new sesquiterpene ortho-naphthoquinone compounds named davidianoines A, B and C were isolated from the root bark of Ulmus davidiana. These new compounds were identified as 3-hydroxymethyl-6,9-dimethylnaphtho(1,8-b,c)pyran-7,8-dione, 6-methoxycarbonyl-3,9-dimethylnaphtho(1,8-b,c)pyran-7,8-dione, and 6-dimethoxymethyl-3,9-dimethylnaphtho(1,8-b,c)pyran-7,8-dione. Along with these 3 new substances, 4 known compounds, mansonoines E, F, H and I, were also isolated. The antioxidative activities of these substances were evaluated using a thiobarbituric acid method with rat liver microsomes. Among the isolated substances, mansonoine F showed the greatest activity.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- davidianoanes A
- davidianoanes B
- davidianoanes C
- mansonones E
- mansonones F
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating inflammatory diseases and regulating NO-induced apoptotic cell death. The bioactive compounds found in Ulmus davidiana exhibit significant anti-inflammatory properties that help mitigate various systemic immune responses. Research indicates that these extracts can protect cells from programmed death triggered by excessive nitric oxide levels. By managing oxidative stress and cellular signaling, the plant helps stabilize physiological functions during acute illness. These therapeutic mechanisms make it a valuable subject for pharmacological studies regarding tissue protection.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the bark of Ulmus davidiana is studied for its ability to modulate the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in inflammatory diseases. The butanol fraction of the methanol extract showed a marked inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition of NO synthesis was reflected in a decreased amount of iNOS protein. Furthermore, the butanol fraction reduced endogenous NO-induced apoptotic cell death in RAW264.7 cells. These results demonstrate that the fraction inhibits NO synthesis by inhibiting the induction of iNOS in murine macrophages.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- NO-induced apoptotic cell death
- inflammatory diseases
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Ulmus davidiana, which is utilized in medicinal herbal preparations such as methanol extract and butanol fraction to harness its therapeutic properties. Researchers study these specific extracts to isolate bioactive compounds that may possess anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects. The methanol extract is frequently employed to pull a wide range of polar constituents from the plant material for biological testing. Furthermore, the butanol fraction serves to concentrate specific medium-polarity molecules that are essential for targeted pharmacological studies. These various preparations allow scientists to better understand the chemical complexity and potential health benefits of the species.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", the methanol extract and its fractions of the bark of Ulmus davidiana Planch were investigated for their ability to modulate the expression of inducible NO synthase in thioglycollate-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells. The butanol fraction of the methanol extract of Ulmus davidiana bark showed marked inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibition was reflected in the decreased amount of iNOS protein as determined by Western blotting. The butanol fraction did not affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells when assessed by the MTT assay. Furthermore, this fraction reduced endogenous nitric oxide-induced apoptotic cell death via inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis in RAW264.7 cells. The results demonstrate that the butanol fraction inhibits nitric oxide synthesis by inhibiting the induction of iNOS in murine macrophages.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- butanol fraction
- methanol extract
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause allergic skin reactions, gastrointestinal discomfort, and potential interference with certain medications. Some individuals may experience contact dermatitis or itching when the bark or leaves touch the skin. Consuming preparations made from the plant can lead to nausea, stomach cramps, or diarrhea in sensitive users. There is also a possibility that its chemical components could alter the effectiveness of prescription drugs. It is important to consult a healthcare professional before using this species for medicinal purposes.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
What herbs are paired with Ulmus davidiana?
This plant, commonly known as Davidia elm, is frequently paired with medicinal herbs like dandelion root, ginger, and licorice to balance its cooling properties in traditional formulas.
The inclusion of ginger helps to counteract the potential bitterness of the elm bark while aiding digestion. Licorice is often added to harmonize the various components and soothe the throat during medicinal preparations. When used in decoctions, pairing it with dandelion root can enhance its natural diuretic and detoxifying effects.
These combinations are specifically designed to target inflammatory conditions and support systemic detoxification.