Dhundal tree
Xylocarpus granatum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (97 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
Dhundal tree, scientifically known as Xylocarpus granatum, is a mangrove species native to the coastal regions of the Indo-Pacific. Renowned for its medicinal properties, it is used in traditional systems to treat skin diseases, inflammation, and digestive issues. Its unique chemical constituents offer significant therapeutic potential in pharmacology.
Names
Common Names
- apple mangrove
- cannonball mangrove
- cannonball-tree
- cedar mangrove
- Mangrove Mahogany
- Dhundal tree
Regional and Traditional Names
French:
- Mangrove cèdre
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Xylocarpus granatumSynonyms
- Amoora salomoniensis
- Xylocarpus obovatus
- Xylocarpus carnulosus
- Xylocarpus benadirensis
- Xylocarpus minor
- Carapa obovata
- Carapa carnuosula
- Carapa granatum
- Xylocarpus obovatus var. macrophyllus
- Granatum obovatum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Sapindales and the family Meliaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Xylocarpus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Meliaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Xylocarpus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent. In Northeast Tropical Africa, its presence is noted specifically in Somalia. Moving further south, it is found throughout East Tropical Africa in both Kenya and Tanzania. The species also extends into South Tropical Africa, where it inhabits Mozambique. Finally, its range reaches into Southern Africa, specifically within the KwaZulu-Natal region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Western Indian Ocean | Aldabra | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Comoros | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Madagascar | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Xylocarpus granatum, possesses various anatomical components that are utilized for its medicinal properties. The large, woody fruits are a defining characteristic, often appearing as heavy pods that eventually split to release numerous seeds. The lush green leaves are frequently studied for their bioactive compounds, while the small twigs and bark are also harvested for traditional remedies. Each of these plant parts, from the fleshy fruit to the internal seeds, contributes to the overall therapeutic profile of this mangrove species.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| fruit | Journal of natural products (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| seed | Fitoterapia (and other 4 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Xylocarpus granatum has 40 reported phytochemicals identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include gedunin, Photogedunin, (+)-catechin, 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, 6alpha,11beta-Diacetoxygedunin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| gedunin | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Photogedunin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-catechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6alpha,11beta-Diacetoxygedunin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ABSCISIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aurantiamide acetate | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COMPOUND 23 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Compound 25 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Daucosterol | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
gedunin
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death
- Natural product research
Photogedunin
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
- Natural product research
(+)-catechin
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
6alpha,11beta-Diacetoxygedunin
- Fitoterapia
ABSCISIC ACID
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
Aurantiamide acetate
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
COMPOUND 23
- Fitoterapia
Compound 25
- Fitoterapia
Daucosterol
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
Activities
Xylocarpus granatum has 9 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antifeedant, Antifungal, Antimalarial.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifeedant | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Xylocarpus granatum has 11 reported medicinal uses identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, cholera, diarrhea, duodenal ulcer, dysentery.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cholera | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| duodenal ulcer | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fever | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ovarian cancer | Apoptosis : an international journal on programmed cell death (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peptic ulcer | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| seeds | Fitoterapia (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Chloroform fraction (Fr-CHCl(3)) | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Seeds | Journal of natural products (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried husks (HX) | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried leaves (LX) | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dried seeds (SX) | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |