Volkameria inermis Linn., Volkameria commersonii Poir., Clerodendron commersoni Spreng., Volkameria mereifolium Wall. [3]
Malaysia: | Bunga Pawang, Gambir Laut |
English: | Garden Quinine |
India: | Kundali, Kshudragnimantha (Sanskrit); Benjuen, Bonjoi (Bengal); Dariajai (Gujerat); Binjoam, Sangan-kuppi, Chhoti-arni (Hindi); Nirnotijil (Malayalam)l Pinasangam-koppi (Tamil); Pishinika, Utichettu, Erup-pichha (Telagu) |
China: | Ku-lang-shu, San Fu Mun |
Hong Kong: | Foo-long-shu |
Japan: | Ibota-kusagi |
French: | Volkameria |
South Pacific Islands: |
Verevere (Fiji); Aloalo Tai (Samoa); Tutu Hina (Tonga); Lodigao (Guam; Ilau, Ula (Ponape) [1] [3] [4] |
Description
Clerodendrum inerme is a member of the Verbenaceae family. It is an evergreen sprawling shrub that could reach up to 2m tall. The stems are woody and smooth. The leaves are opposite, simple, ovate to elliptical, acute to acuminate tip, with entire margins. They are green and slightly shiny on the upper surface. The inflorescence are a cyme or umbel with 3 flowers joined at a common base point. The corolla is white, fused with 5 lobes. There are four stamens, reddish to purple and upwardly curved. The fruits are obovoid, 1-1.5cm long and green turning black upon ripening. [18]
Plant Part Used
Dried bark from root and stem and fresh or dried leaves [1]
Chemical Constituents
2-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxylphenyl) ethyl-O-2",3"-diacetyl-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->3)-4-O-(E)-feruloyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside; 3-O-galactopyranosyl-(24b)-ethylcholesta-4,22-25-triene; 4alpha-methyl-24beta-ethyl-5alpha-cholesta-14; 11-pentacosanone; 14,15-dihydro-15 beta-methoxy-3-epicaryoptin; 14,15-dihydro-15-hydroxy-3-epicaryoptin; 15-methoxy-14,15-dihydro-3-epicaryoptin; 22E-trien-3beta-ol; 24-ethylcholesterol; 24-ethyl-22-dehydrocholesterol; 24-methyllathosterol; 24-methylcholestanol; 24-methyl-22-dehydrocholesterol; 25-dien-3beta-ol; acacetin; apigenin; apigenin 7,4’-dimethyl ether; beta-amyrin; betulin; campneoside I; cirsimaritin; clerodermic acid; clerodendrins B – C, cleroinermin, dehydroroyleanone; friedelin; inermes A, B; inerminoside A, A1, B, C, D [1 – 2]; isoverbascoside; lup-1,5,20(29)-trien-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside; melittoside; monomelittoside; n-octacosane; pectrolinarigenin; royleanone; salvigenin; sammangaosides A, B and C; scutellarinl 4-methylscutellarin; sorbifolin; verbascoside. [1] [4] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]
Traditional Used:
C. inerme is considered atonic, febrifuge and alterative.
Inflammatory conditions
The plant had been found useful in treating rheumatoid arthritis, lumbago, sciatica, hepatitis, and also in cases of scrofulous and venereal diseases. The pounded leaves are applied over buboes to effect healing.
Other uses
In China it has been reported that C. inerme is used to treat gastritis secondary to fish and shrimp poisoning, malaria, hepatosplenomegaly, ringworm and traumatic injury. In India the leaves are used to treat reminnent and intermittent fevers, while juice expressed from the leaf is given for relieve of muscular pains and stiffness of legs (in tetanus). A bath prepared from the leaves is recommended for treatment of mania and itches. [1] [2] [5]
In the South Pacific Islands various parts of the plant had been used as an abortifacient. Some considered it as a potent contraceptive. [4]
Pharmacology
Hepatoprotective activity
The ethanolic extract of the leaves of C. inerme proved to have hepatoprotective activity against CCl4 induced liver damage in Swiss albino rats. This extract was able to decrease serum enzymes alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and significantly increase gluthathione level. [14]
Anticancer activity
The chemoprotective potential of C. inerme is exhibited in the aqueous and ethanol extracts of the leaves. This is evident by the ability of this extract to inhibit tumour formation in DMBA-painted animals. It is attributed to the potent antilipidperoxidative effect and improved antioxidant defence system exhibited by the extract. [15] [16]
Toxicities
No documentation
Clinical Trials
No documentation
Adverse Effects in Human:
No documentation
Used in Certain Conditions
Pregnancy / Breastfeeding
It would not be wise to use this plant for whatever reason during pregnancy since it has been used to induce abortion in the islands of South Pacific. [4]
Age Limitations
Neonates / Adolescents
No documentation
Geriatrics
No documentation
Chronic Disease Conditions
No documentation
Interactions with drugs
No documentation
Interactions with Other Herbs / Herbal Constituents
No documentation
Contraindications
No documentation
Case Reports
It was reported that a 13 year old girl with chronic motor tic disorder refractory to multiple anti-tic therapies was given crude leaf extract of C. inerme. She showed dramatic improvement and remission with no side effects being observed during follow up of more than 2 years. [17]