 Botany
Apanang-gubat is an erect, leafy branched, smooth herb, 60 to 90 meters high. Leaves are fragrant, up to 19 cm long, divided quite to the base into three segments - the upper leaves subtending the branches of the inflorescence being deeply divided. Segments are elliptic-lanceolate or elliptic-ovate, up to 13 cm long, pointed at both ends, and toothed at the margins. Inflorescence is terminal, measuring up to 14 cm across. Flowering heads are fragrant, 3 to 4 mm across. Flowers are white and fragrant.
Distribution
- In thickets at low altitudes in the Batan Islands.
- Occurs in Japan to China and Taiwan.
Toxicity
Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. This class of hepatotoxic and tumorigenic compounds have been detected in herbal plants and dietary supplements.
Parts used
Leaves
Uses
Folkloric
Leaves used as diuretic and anthelmintic.
Also used as tea for indigestion.
Studies
• Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: Study on the pyrrolizidine alkaloid composition of three Chinese herbs (E. cannabinum, E. japonicum and Crotolaria assamica) yielded viridiflorine, cynaustraline, amabiline, supinine, echinatine, rinderine and isomers of these alkaloids were found in the Eupatorium species.
• Hepatotoxicity: Study concludes the alkaloid in Eupatorium species is metabolized to "pyrrole" and an N-oxide metabolite in the liver, but the hepatotoxicity is much lower when compared to that caused by Crotolaria.
• Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids / Hepatotoxic ands Tumorigenic: Studies have indicated that pyrrolizidine alkaloids induce tumores via a genotoxic mechanism mediated by 6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine(DHP)-derived DNA adduct formation.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Extracts and supplements in the cybermarket.
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