Withania frutescens
Withania frutescens · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (25 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Withania frutescens, scientifically known as Withania frutescens, is a resilient shrub native to arid regions. Belonging to the Solanaceae family, this medicinal plant is prized for its bioactive compounds. It is traditionally utilized in various herbal remedies to support immune function, reduce inflammation, and promote overall holistic wellness.
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Leaf · Root
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Physalis Suberosa · Physalis Frutescens · 7 more
Names
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Campanillera
French:
- Withanie frutescente
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Withania frutescensSynonyms
- Physalis suberosa
- Physalis frutescens
- Withania villosa
- Withania suberosa
- Withania grosii
- Hypnoticum frutescens
- Opsago suberosa
- Opsago cordata
- Atropa frutescens
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Solanales, and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Withania.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Withania | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution concentrated primarily within the Mediterranean basin. In Southwestern Europe, its presence is documented across Spain and Portugal. It can also be found on the Balearic Islands within the same European region. Moving across the sea to Northern Africa, the species is established in Morocco. Finally, its range extends through Algeria, completing its geographical footprint in these coastal areas.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Withania frutescens, offers various components that are utilized for their therapeutic potential. The root is often a primary focus in traditional applications due to its concentrated bioactive compounds, while the leaves serve as another vital source of medicinal properties. Furthermore, the development of a foliar extract allows for the efficient concentration of these botanical elements, providing a potent way to harness the plant's natural healing abilities for medicinal use.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Pharmaceutical biology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Withania frutescens has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Withanolides, Isoleucine, Polyphenol, Withaferin A, tryptophan.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Withanolides | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Isoleucine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Polyphenol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Withaferin A | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tryptophan | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Withanolides
- Steroids
- Natural product communications
- Pharmaceutical biology
Isoleucine
- Saudi journal of biological sciences
Polyphenol
- Natural product communications
Withaferin A
- Steroids
tryptophan
- Saudi journal of biological sciences
Activities
Withania frutescens has 4 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial, Antidiabetic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Steroids (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | Steroids (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Steroids (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Withania frutescens has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include dysentery, hyperglycemia, nosocomial infections, poisoning, postprandial hyperglycemia.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| dysentery | Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nosocomial infections | Natural product communications (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| poisoning | Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| postprandial hyperglycemia | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| W. frutescens extract | Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroethanolic extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |