Ziziphus spina-christi
Ziziphus spina-christi, commonly known as the Christ's Thorn Jujube, is a resilient, thorny shrub native to arid regions of Africa and the Middle East. Renowned in traditional medicine, its roots, bark, and fruits possess potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, offering significant therapeutic potential for various ailments.
- Scientific name: Ziziphus spina-christi
- Family: Rhamnaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Rosales, it is further categorized under the family Rhamnaceae. Its specific taxonomic identification is within the genus Ziziphus, where it is known as Ziziphus spina-christi.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Rosales | WCVP |
| Family | Rhamnaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ziziphus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is well-documented within the borders of Algeria. It is also commonly found throughout the landscapes of Egypt and Libya. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the territory of Tunisia. Finally, the distribution reaches into West Tropical Africa, specifically within the country of Burkina.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Tunisia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mauritania | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
Chemicals
Ziziphus spina-christi has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, 6''' feruloylspinosin, 6''' sinapoylspinosin.
- Total chemicals
- 23
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| polyphenols | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6''' feruloylspinosin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 6''' sinapoylspinosin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antioxidants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ascorbic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ash | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epigallocatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ziziphus spina-christi has 9 reported activities identified across 19 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic.
- Total activities
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 19
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifibrotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Free-Radical Scavenging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypoglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ziziphus spina-christi has 37 reported medicinal uses identified across 49 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, cancer, obesity, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Total uses
- 37
- Scientific sources
- 49
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| heat | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mastitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Entamoeba histoLYtica | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |