MEDICINAL PLANTS OF ASIA AND THE PACIFIC - PART 4

PHAN TẤT HOÀ --- NHỮNG CÂY THUỐC CHÂU Á THÁI BÌNH DƯƠNG 68 tion: F. S. P. Ng, July 20, 1991. Geographical localization: East summit of Mountain Bongsu, Bongsu Forest Reserve. South Kedah, steep hillside on previously logged forest.] vary in number between 26 and 47, mostly in antero posterior pairs. The female flowers are solitary, 4-merous, with four styles, and an 8-celled ovary. The fruits are globose, up to 3.5cm in diameter, and seated on a persistent calyx. The fruit is green, tinted red (Figure 11.3). 11.3.2 Ethnopharmacology PHAN TẤT HOÀ --- NHỮNG CÂY THUỐC CHÂU Á THÁI BÌNH DƯƠNG 69 In China, the plant is known as pei shih (Chinese). The fruits are used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. The medicinal properties ascribed to it by the Chinese are somewhat remarkable. It is said to break fever, to be an antidote for snake poisoning, and to be demulcent. An extract of the fruit has been used as a vaginal injection in gonorrhea. A dark oil prepared from the fruit makes an excellent varnish for paper umbrellas and fans. In Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the juice of the fruit is used to heal sores and wounds. The medicinal properties are most likely owed to tannins. Note that Choudhary et al. (1990)5 made the observation that ethanolic leaf extracts of Diospyros embryopteris completely inhibited the libido of male rats when an oral dose of 100mg/Kg was given daily for 21 days. 11.4 DIOSPYROS MULTIFLORA BLCO. [From: Greek diospyros = persimmon fruit and from Latin multiflora = numerous flowers.] 11.4.1 Botany Diospyros multiflora Blco. is a timber tree that grows to a height of 12m in the rain forests of the Philippines. Leaves are simple, their base acute to acuminate, the apex is pointed. The petiole is grooved, woody, and up to 1cm long. The blade is lanceolate to elliptic, 5cm – 12cm × 2.5cm – 6.5cm and shows 9–12 pairs of secondary nerves. The midrib is sunken above. There are no tertiary nerves. The fruits are up to 2cm in diameter on a cup-shaped persistent calyx (Figure 11.4). 11.4.2 Ethnopharmacology In the Philippines, the bark and leaves are used to treat herpetic eruptions. The antiviral property of the plant is unexplored as of yet. Some evidence has already been presented that indicates that naphthoquinones have antiherpes properties. In a recent study, Tandon et al.6 synthesized and evaluated a series of naphthoquinone derivatives for antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer activities by using the standard assay and showed in vitro antiviral activity with the herpes simplex virus. The antiviral property of naphthoquinones of the Diospyros species could be mediated by the inhibition of protease as reported by Matsumoto et al. (2001).7 11.5 DIOSPYROS PILOSANTHERA BLCO. [From: Greek diospyros = persimmon fruit and from Latin pilosanthera = pilose anthers.] 11.5.1 Botany Diospyros pilosanthera Blco. is a tree that grows to a height of 27m in the rain forests of Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The bark is blackish, cracked, and fissured. The leaves are elliptical, 6cm – 14cm × 2.5cm – 6cm. The apex is acuminate, the base is pointed, and the midrib is sunken above. There are 8–16 pairs of secondary nerves. The male flowers are 5-merous, in 3–5 flowered cymes with 17 anthers. The female flowers are solitary, on 2mm peduncles. The fruits are depressed and ovoid, 2cm × 3cm, with a large woody calyx (Figure 11.5). 11.5.2 Ethnopharmacology In the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia, the plant is known as kumu. Filipinos drink a decoction of the bark to treat a cough. The pharmacological potential of this plant is unexplored PHAN TẤT HOÀ --- NHỮNG CÂY THUỐC CHÂU Á THÁI BÌNH DƯƠNG 70 Gardens, Singapore. Botanical identification: F. S. P. Ng, March 17, 2000. Geographical localiza tion: Mandai Road, Singapore. Field collector: M. S. Kiah, Aug. 1, 1940.] as of yet. The bechic property might be due to saponins, which are known to abound in members of the Ebenaceae family.8 11.6 DIOSPYROS SUMATRANA MIQ. PHAN TẤT HOÀ --- NHỮNG CÂY THUỐC CHÂU Á THÁI BÌNH DƯƠNG 71 [From: Greek diospyros = persimmon fruit and from Latin sumatrana = from Sumatra.] 11.6.1 Botany Diospyros sumatrana Miq. (Diospyros flavicans [Wall.] Hiern, Diospyros dumosa King & Gamble, Diospyros decipiens King & Gamble, Diospyros tubicalyx Ridl., Diospyros vestita Bakh., Diospyros velutinosa Bakh., and Diospyros hendersoni) is a tree that grows to a height of 30m with a girth of 100cm in Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia (Borneo) in lowland rain forests to an altitude of 1500m above sea level. The trunks are hairy when young. The leaves are simple, elliptic, ovate, oblong, 3.5cm – 20cm × 1.2cm – 6.5cm, the apex is acuminate, the base is pointed, and the midrib sunken above. There are 3–11 pairs of secondary nerves. The male flowers are 5-merous, in 3–10 flowered subsessile cymes with 16 anthers. The female flowers are 4-merous, salver-shaped, with a 4-locular ovary. The fruits are globose, 1.2cm × 2.4cm, with a 2.5cm-diameter calyx (Figure 11.6). T. D. Pennington, Sept. 11, 1963. No: 7807. From FRIM Kepong. No: 94504.] 11.6.2 Ethnopharmacology In Malaysia, the plant is known as arang or kayu arang. The seeds are poisonous and used to catch fish. The plant has not been studied for its pharmacological potential. The ichthyotoxic property could involve some naphthoquinones and/or saponins.8 11.7 DIOSPYROS RUFA KING & GAMBLE [From: Greek diospyros = persimmon fruit and from Latin rufa = wrinkled.] 11.7.1 Botany Diospyros rufa King & Gamble is a timber tree that grows to a height of 27m and a girth of 130cm in the lowland rain forest of Malaysia up to an altitude of 1300m. The bark is black to brown and smooth. The leaves are simple, oblong, oblong–obovate, 12–22cm × 4.5–8cm, the apex is acuminate, the base is pointed, and the midrib is sunken above. There are 13 pairs of secondary nerves. The petiole is 1–2.5cm long. The male flowers are 4-merous, in 16 flowered subsessile clusters and show 16 anthers. The female flowers are 4-merous and show an 8-locular ovary. The fruits are round, brown with red hairs, and PHAN TẤT HOÀ --- NHỮNG CÂY THUỐC CHÂU Á THÁI BÌNH DƯƠNG 72 flattened; the apex is 3.5cm wide, in a 4-lobed, saucer-shaped, with a 2.5cm-diameter calyx (Figure 11.7 ). 11.7.2 Ethnopharmacology In Malaysia, the seeds are poisonous and used to catch fish. The plant has not been studied for its pharmacological potential. The ichthyotoxic mechanism could involve some naphthoquinones or saponins.7 Figure 11.7 Diospyros rufa King & Gamble. [From: Flora of Malaya. FRI No: 35981. Geographical localization: River Durian Forest Reserve. Foot of hill near a stream.] 11.8 DIOSPYROS TOPOSIOIDES KING & GAMBLE [From: Greek diospyros = persimmon fruit and from Indian toposi = Diospyros toposia.] 11.8.1 Botany Diospyros toposioides King & Gamble is a timber tree that grows to a height of 13m and with a girth of 60cm in the lowland rain forests of Malaysia and Indonesia. The leaves are simple, oblong, oblong–ovate, 16cm – 33cm × 4cm – 14cm, the apex is acuminate, the base is rounded, and the midrib is sunken above. The secondary nerves are inconspicuous and loping at the margin. The male flowers are arranged in three flowered axillary cymes and show 35–96 anthers. The female flowers are 4-merous and show an 8-locular hairy ovary. The fruits are globose, up to 5cm in diameter, and are seated on a 3cm-wide calyx (Figure 11.8) . ... - tailieumienphi.vn