Uvaria grandiflora
What's the taxonomical classification of Uvaria grandiflora?
Uvaria grandiflora belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida, it is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae and falls under the order Magnoliales. The plant is a member of the family Annonaceae, specifically situated within the genus Uvaria, and is identified by the unique species name grandiflora.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Magnoliales |
| Family | Annonaceae |
| Genus | Uvaria |
| Species | grandiflora |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Uvaria grandiflora has woody climbing vines characterized by large, fragrant, cream-colored flowers and elliptical, leathery leaves. The leaves are typically arranged oppositely along the stems and possess a smooth, glossy texture. Its inflorescence features prominent petals that can grow quite large, attracting various pollinators with their distinct scent. The plant eventually produces fleshy, globose fruits that turn yellowish or reddish upon ripening. These botanical features are characteristic of the Annonaceae family to which this species belongs.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, specifically spanning across countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and parts of southern China. It typically thrives within the humid, lowland rainforest ecosystems that characterize these equatorial zones. Within these habitats, the species is often found growing in shaded areas under a dense forest canopy. Its presence is closely linked to the availability of consistent moisture and warm temperatures found in these specific latitudes. The distribution remains concentrated in these moist, subtropical, and tropical belts where the climate supports its growth requirements.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-draining, fertile soil and a humid, tropical environment with consistent moisture to thrive.
Growers should plant it in partial shade to protect the delicate foliage from intense direct sunlight. Regular watering is essential to maintain high humidity levels around the root system and leaves. Providing organic mulch helps retain soil moisture and provides necessary nutrients as the plant matures.
Once established, the vine needs a sturdy support structure to climb and facilitate its growth pattern.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Uvaria grandiflora is used medicinally through its bark, leaves, and roots to treat various ailments. The bark is often decocted to alleviate inflammation and digestive issues. Leaves from the plant are frequently utilized in traditional remedies to manage fever or skin conditions. The roots contain bioactive compounds that are processed for their specific therapeutic properties. Together, these distinct parts provide a wide range of pharmacological applications in folk medicine.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural products", the bark of Uvaria grandiflora was used to isolate the aromatic constituents grandiuvarone A (1) and grandiuvarins A-C (2-4). Among these isolated compounds, only compound 1 exhibited antileishmaniaal activity. This specific compound 1 showed IC50/IC90 values of 0.7/1.5 microg/mL. In comparison, the positive controls pentamidine and amphotericin B had IC50/IC90 values of 1.6/6.6 and 0.17/0.34 microg/mL, respectively.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- bark
- leaf
- roots
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Uvaria grandiflora, is traditionally utilized in various Southeast Asian medicinal practices to treat ailments such as digestive issues, skin infections, and inflammation.
Local healers often prepare decoctions from the leaves and roots to alleviate stomach pains or reduce fever. The fruit and stems are sometimes incorporated into topical applications to address physical discomfort or wounds. Historically, these traditional systems have relied on the plant's bioactive properties to manage localized infections.
These ethnobotanical uses reflect a long-standing reliance on the species within regional folk medicine.
What are the pharmacological activities of Uvaria grandiflora?
This plant has significant anti-cancer and anti-tumor activity due to its potent cytotoxic properties. Research indicates that specific extracts from Uvaria grandiflora exhibit strong inhibitory activity against tumor cells. These bioactive compounds work by disrupting the growth and proliferation of various malignant cell lines. By targeting the cellular mechanisms of cancer, the plant shows promise in developing new therapeutic strategies. Such pharmacological effects highlight its potential role in oncology-related studies.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in pharmacology", Uvaria grandiflora provides the natural polyoxygenated cyclohexenes compound known as Zeylenone, which has potential biological activities in various human diseases including tumors. A derivative of this compound, Cyclohexene oxide CA or (1R, 2R, 3S)-3-p-fluorobenzoyl-zeylenone, was identified as having the lowest IC50 value in GBM cells. This CA treatment significantly inhibits the malignant behaviors of GBM cells and induces G0/G1 phase arrest in vitro. The mechanism involves interfering with EZH2 to attenuate the down-regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27 and p16 by the PRC2 complex. These findings validate the inhibitory role of CA on tumorigenesis of GBM cells in vivo using orthotopic nude mice models.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-cancer
- anti-tumor
- anti-tumor activity
- cytotoxic
- inhibitory activity against tumor cells
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several specific medicinal compounds including (+) -Grandifloracin, Grandiuvarone A, grandiuvarins A-C, uvariagrandols A, and uvariagrandols B. These specialized secondary metabolites are part of the complex chemical profile found within the Uvaria grandiflora species. Researchers study these unique molecules to understand their potential biological activities and therapeutic properties. The presence of these distinct chemical constituents characterizes the unique phytochemical makeup of the plant. Identifying these specific compounds is essential for the ongoing investigation of the plant's pharmacological potential.
According to a study published by "Heliyon", phytochemical investigation of the leaf extract of Uvaria grandiflora Roxb. ex Hornem led to the isolation and identification of two new highly oxygenated cyclohexenes, uvariagrandols A (1) and B (2), along with seven known compounds (3-9). The (1S,2S,3R,6S) absolute configuration of uvariagrandols A and B was established through the comparison of experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism. Among the identified substances, (+) -Grandifloracin (9) displayed cytotoxicity against SW480 and K562 cell lines with IC50 values of 154.9 and 60.9 μM, respectively. Additionally, 6-Methoxyzeylenol (5) exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 34.1 μM.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- (+)-Grandifloracin
- Grandiuvarone A
- grandiuvarins A-C
- uvariagrandols A
- uvarigrandin A(3)
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating Leishmania donovani, Plasmodium falciparum, adenocarcinoma, cervical carcinoma, and glioblastoma. Its medicinal properties include potent antiparasitic activities that target specific protozoan infections. Furthermore, bioactive compounds within the plant demonstrate significant cytotoxic effects against various types of malignant tumors. These therapeutic applications highlight the potential of its extracts in combating both infectious diseases and aggressive cancers. Research continues to explore how these phytochemicals interact with diseased cells to provide relief.
According to a study published by "Experimental parasitology", extracts of Uvaria grandiflora demonstrated good activities against Leishmania donovani with an IC50 < 50 μg/mL. This plant species also showed good activities against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain with an IC50 < 10 μg/mL. None of the tested extracts of Uvaria grandiflora were found to be cytotoxic to MRC-5 cells. These findings suggest the potential of the plant as a source for the development of anti-infective leads.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- Leishmania donovani
- Plasmodium falciparum
- Leishmaniasis
- Tumor
- Tumors
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is processed into medicinal herbal preparations including chloroform extracts and ethanol extracts to isolate its bioactive compounds. Researchers utilize these specific solvents to study the plant's potential pharmacological properties and chemical constituents. The chloroform extract is often used to target non-polar substances within the plant material. Meanwhile, the ethanol extract serves as a common medium for capturing a broader range of soluble phytochemicals. These preparations are essential for evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of Uvaria grandiflora in various scientific studies.
According to a study published by "Experimental parasitology", chloroform extracts of Uvaria grandiflora were tested for their toxicity and anti-infective effects. None of the Uvaria grandiflora extracts tested was cytotoxic to MRC-5 cells. The extracts of Uvaria grandiflora showed good activities against Leishmania donovani with an IC50 < 50 μg/mL. Additionally, Uvaria grandiflora extracts demonstrated good activities against the chloroquine-resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 strain with an IC50 < 10 μg/mL.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Chloroform extracts
- ethanol extract
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can exhibit significant anti-tumor activity by utilizing bioactive compounds to inhibit the growth and proliferation of various cancer cell lines. Research suggests that the phytochemicals found within its leaves and roots may trigger apoptosis, which is the programmed death of malignant cells. These therapeutic properties are primarily attributed to the presence of specific alkaloids and flavonoids that interfere with tumor development. While these effects offer potential medicinal benefits, the precise physiological mechanisms and long-term toxicity in humans require further clinical investigation. Careful study is necessary to determine the exact dosage required to harness these anticancer effects safely.
According to a study published by "Bioorganic chemistry", the natural product zeylenone is isolated from Uvaria grandiflora Roxb. and exhibits potent anti-tumor activity. This compound can be synthesized in 13 steps using quinic acid as a starting material to achieve a 9.8% overall yield. Research utilizing the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay evaluated this anti-tumor activity against 3 human cancer cell lines. The results indicated that compounds with both absolute configurations showed tumor-suppressive effects. Specifically, hydroxyls at the C-1/C-2 position were found to be crucial to the activity, while esterification of large groups at the C-1 hydroxyl eliminated it. Additionally, the hydroxyl at the C-3 position is important because proper ester substituents could increase the potency.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- anti-tumor activity
What herbs are paired with Uvaria grandiflora?
This plant Uvaria grandiflora is most effectively paired with ginger, turmeric, and holy basil to enhance its traditional medicinal properties.
These combinations are often used in herbal decoctions to balance the plant's inherent bitter notes. Ginger serves to improve digestion and warm the body, while turmeric provides powerful anti-inflammatory support. Holy basil can be added to soothe the respiratory system and reduce oxidative stress during consumption.
Together, these botanical allies create a synergistic effect that maximizes the therapeutic potential of the primary extract.