Vitex trifolia
Vitex trifolia, commonly known as Three-leaved Chastetree, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, its leaves and flowers possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. It is frequently utilized to treat skin ailments, digestive issues, and various inflammatory conditions through natural healing.
- Scientific name: Vitex trifolia
- Family: Lamiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Vitex trifolia, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Lamiales and the family Lamiaceae. Finally, its taxonomic placement is completed within 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 distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is noted in Tunisia. Moving toward the northeast, it can be found within the borders of Somalia. The species is also widely distributed throughout East Tropical Africa, specifically in Kenya and Tanzania. Finally, its range extends into South Tropical Africa, where it is located in Mozambique.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Tanzania | WCVP |
| South Tropical Africa | Mozambique | WCVP |
| Southern Africa | KwaZulu-Natal | WCVP |
| Middle Atlantic Ocean | Ascension | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
Chemicals
Vitex trifolia has 42 reported phytochemicals identified across 48 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include agnuside, vitexilactone, casticin, vitexicarpin, 10-O-vanilloylaucubin.
- Total chemicals
- 42
- Scientific sources
- 48
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| agnuside | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| vitexilactone | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| casticin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vitexicarpin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 10-O-vanilloylaucubin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6'-p-hydroxy benzoyl mussaenosidic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Artemetin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Vitex trifolia has 9 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Hepatoprotective, Antiatherosclerotic, Anticancer.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiatherosclerotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Vitex trifolia has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, Skin aging, anesthesia, anti-malarial.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 22
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| AIDS | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Skin aging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anesthesia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-malarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anti-oxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antipyretic effects | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |