Baboonwood
Virola surinamensis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (84 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
Baboonwood, scientifically known as Virola surinamensis, is a versatile medicinal tree native to tropical rainforests. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to treat various ailments, including skin infections and inflammation. Exploring its phytochemical properties offers promising potential for modern pharmacological developments and natural therapeutic applications.
Names
Common Names
- Baboonwood
- ucahuba-nut
- white ucuba
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Chalviande
- Chalviande
- cumala blanca
German:
- Baboen
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Virola surinamensisSynonyms
- Palala gracilis
- Virola glaziovii
- Palala surinamensis
- Myristica surinamensis
- Myristica sebifera var. longifolia
- Myristica gracilis
- Virola glaziovii var. latifolia
- Virola carinata var. gracilis
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Magnoliales, it is classified under the family Myristicaceae. It is further identified by the genus Virola and the specific species name surinamensis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Magnoliales | WCVP |
| Family | Myristicaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Virola | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific geographical range concentrated within the tropical regions of the Caribbean and Northern South America. Within the Caribbean, its presence is documented in the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Moving to the mainland, the species is widely distributed across the Guianas, including French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. Furthermore, its habitat extends into the northern territories of Venezuela. Collectively, these locations define the primary natural environment where this medicinal species can be found.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Virola surinamensis, exhibits a complex life cycle that involves various stages and structures throughout its development. The growth begins with small plantlets that eventually mature into robust adult plants, which form the structural foundation of the forest canopy. For reproduction, the species produces seeds that are essential for the dispersal and propagation of new generations. Furthermore, the twigs of the adult plants serve as vital conduits for nutrients and are often the sites where medicinal resins or bark components are harvested for their therapeutic properties.| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| adult plants | Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| plantlets | Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twigs | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Virola surinamensis has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aristolene, Bicyclogermacrene, CAPRIC ACID, Decanoic acid, Elemicine.
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Aristolene | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bicyclogermacrene | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CAPRIC ACID | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Decanoic acid | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Elemicine | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| FAT | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Germacrene D | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lignans | Planta medica (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| MYRISTIC ACID | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Virola surinamensis has 51 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Anemiagenic, AntiMS.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anemiagenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiMS | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiacne | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antialopecic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antianaphylactic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiandrogenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiarteriosclerotic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Virola surinamensis has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Leishmaniasis, cancer, colon cancer, infections, malaria.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Leishmaniasis | Pharmaceutics (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| infections | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ethanol extracts | Phytotherapy research : PTR (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |