Vitex negundo
Vitex negundo, commonly known as Chinese Chaste Tree, is a versatile medicinal shrub revered in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antimicrobial properties, its leaves and seeds are widely utilized to treat respiratory ailments, skin disorders, and various inflammatory conditions across diverse cultures.
- Scientific name: Vitex negundo
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae, eventually falling into the genus Vitex.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Lamiales | WCVP |
| Family | Lamiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Vitex | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning several continents and climatic zones. In Southeastern Europe, its presence can be documented in Bulgaria. Moving toward the African continent, it is found in Northeast Tropical Africa within Somalia and in East Tropical Africa in Tanzania. Its range extends further south to include Mozambique in South Tropical Africa. Finally, the species is also located in the Western Indian Ocean on the island of Mauritius.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Afghanistan | WCVP |
| Western Asia | Iran | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
Chemicals
Vitex negundo has 76 reported phytochemicals identified across 101 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, agnuside, lignans, iridoids, negundoside.
- Total chemicals
- 76
- Scientific sources
- 101
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| agnuside | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| iridoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| negundoside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| artemetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isoorientin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Vitex negundo has 18 reported activities identified across 46 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective, Analgesic, Antibacterial.
- Total activities
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 46
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Nephroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Vitex negundo has 69 reported medicinal uses identified across 90 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, cancer, Candida albicans, inflammation, pain.
- Total uses
- 69
- Scientific sources
- 90
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| pain | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |