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Family Lecythidaceae
Botong
Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz.
FISH POISON TREE / BOX FRUIT

Bin yu rui

Scientific names Common names
Agasta asiatica (L.) Miers Balubitoon (P. Bis.)
Agasta indica Miers Biton (Bik., C. Bis.)
Agasta splendida Miers Bitung (Bis.)
Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz. Boton (Tag.)
Barringtonia butonica Rumph. ex J.R.Forst, & G.Forst. Botong (Tag., Bik.)
Barringtonia levequii Jard. Botong-botong (Bik.)
Barringtonia littorea Oken Buton (Bik., Chab.)
Barringtonia senequei Jard. Lugo (Ibn.)
Barringtonia speciosa J.R.Forst. & G.Forst. Motong-botong (Bik.)
Butonica speciosa (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Lam. Vuton (Iv.)
Huttum speciosum (J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) Britten. Barringtonia (Engl.)
Mammea asiatica L. Beach barringtonia (Engl.)
Michelia asiatica (L.) Kuntze Botong nut (Engl.)
Mitraria commersonia J.F.Gmel. Box fruit (Engl.)
  Fish-killer tree (Engl.)
  Sea poison tree (Engl.)
  Sea putat (Engl.)
Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
BURMESE: Kyi-git.
CHINESE: Bin yu rui, Mo pan jiao shu.
COOK ISLANDS: Utu.
FRENCH: Bonnet D'eveque.
FIJI: Vutu, Vutu dina, Vutugaga, Vutu vala.
HAWAIIAN: Hutu.
INDIA: Kyee-bin.
INDONESIAN: Butun, Bitung, Keben-keben.
MALAYSIAN: Putat laut, Butong, Butun, Pertun,Putat ayer, Putat gajah..
MYANMAR: Kyi-git.
PACIFIC ISLANDS: Vutu, Vutu dina, Vutugaga, Futu. Fu'u, Utu.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Maliou, Mwanumbu, Mbrut, Putu.
SAMOAN: Futu.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: Fu'u.
TAIWANESE: Tin du yu rui.
THAI: Chik le, Chik ta lae, Don ta lae.
VIETNAMESE: B[af]ng qu[ar] vu[oo]ng, Bang qua vuong.

-

Gen info
- Barringtonia asiatica is a species of Barringtonia native to mangrove habitats from islands of the Indian Ocean in the west to tropical Asia and islands of the western Pacific Ocean.
- The local name futu
is the source of name for the Polynesian island Futuna. (25)
- It was described by Carl Linnaeus in his Species Plantarum in 1753, and reassigned to the genus Barringtonia by Wilhelm Kurz in 1875. (25)

Botany
Botong is a tree growing to a height of 8 to 15 meters. Leaves are large, obovate or obovate-oblong, 20 to 40 centimeters long, entire, thick, shining, stalkless, blunt-tipped, and pointed at the base. Flowers are very large and white, borne in short, erect, few-flavored racemes. Calyx-tube is about 1 centimeter long; the lobes, 2 or 3, are oblong-ovate, concave, green and about 2.5 centimeter long. Petals are deciduous, four, thin, first white and then brownish, oblong, 7 to 8 centimeters long, and 3 to 4 centimeters wide. Stamens are very numerous, slender and united at the base, 10 to 12 centimeters long, white below, and shading to purple above. Anthers are small and yellow. Fruit has a typical tetragonal lantern shape, 8 to 14 centimeters long and 8 to 12 centimeters thick, containing one large seed.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- A common strand plant along the seashore throughout the Philippines.
- Cultivated as a shade tree along boulevards and avenues by the sea.
- Also found within tropical Asia to Polynesia.

- Also native to Andaman Is., Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Cambodia, Caroline Is., Chagos Archipelago, Cocos (Keeling) Is., Comoros, Cook Is., Fiji, Gilbert Is., India, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Line Is., Madagascar, Malaya, Maldives, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Marshall Is., Mauritius, Nansei-shoto, Nauru, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Is., Niue, Ogasawara-shoto, Queensland, Réunion, Samoa, Santa Cruz Is., Seychelles, Society Is., Solomon Is., South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis-Futuna Is. (9)

Constituents
- Seeds contain 2.9 percent of fixed oil, consisting of olein, palmitin, and stearin; gallic acid, 0.54 percent; a glucoside, barringtonin, 3.271 per cent.
- Preliminary work on saponins from B. asiatica showed the seeds contain a mixture of saponins (A1-barrinin).
- Study isolated a triterpene ester saponin from the seed of B. asiatica.

- Study of methanol extract of seeds yielded two major saponins, elucidated as 3-O-{[β-d-galactopyranosyl(1→3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyloxy}-22-O-(2-methylbutyroyloxy)-15,16,28-trihydroxy-(3β,15α,16α,22α)-olean-12-ene (3) and 3-O-{[β-d-galactopyranosyl(1→3)-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyloxy}-22-O-[2(E)-methyl-2-butenyloyloxy]-15,16,28-trihydroxy-(3β,15α,16α,22α)-olean-12-ene (4). (see study below) (6)
- Study of dichloromethane extract of Barringtonia asiatica leaves for essential oil yielded major pytochemicals like uncineol 30.9%, eicosane 27.4%, eicosane 21.6%, and 4-propyl-guaiacol 14.05%. (see study below) (24)
- Study of leaves of yielded two new triterpenes, germanicol caffeoyl ester (1) and camelliagenone (2). Study also afforded germanicol trans-coumaroyl ester (3), germanicol cis-coumaroyl ester (4), germanicol (5), camelliagenin A (6), spinasterol, sitosterol, squalene, lutein and trilinolein. Compounds 3, spinasterol and trilinolein were isolated isolated from the fruits, while seeds yielded spinasterol, squalene, linoleic acid, and trilinolein. (see study below) (26)

Properties
- Known ichthyotoxic.
- Studies have shown antitumor, antifungal, antiepileptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, wound healing, ichthyotoxic, anti-dengue, anticancer properties.

Toxicity
- All parts of the tree are poisonous. The seeds are ground to a powder and used to stun or kill fish, suffocating the fish while the flesh is unaffected.

Parts used
Leaves, seeds, bark.

Uses

Edibility
- Pods reportedly eaten in Indo-China.
- Caution: Raw seeds reported to be poisonous to eat.
Folkloric
- In the Philippines, leaves are heated and applied as topicals for stomachache.
- Fresh leaves used as topicals for rheumatism.
- Seeds employed as vermifuge.
- Scraped content of the fruit used for cysts, goiter, abscesses, tumors. Scrapings are applied as a
poultice or held inside a cloth.
- Extract from dried kernel drunk to treat coughs, sore throat, bronchitis, infuenza, and diarrhea.
- Besides use as fish poison, the Nicobari tribe of India used the leaves for then treatment of fractures, wounds, de-worming, and pain relief.
(10)
- Mixture of young leaves of B. asiatica and Morinda citrifolia are squeezed into water and drunk to relieve stomach ache. Fresh leaves heated and applied on fresh cuts and chronic infected skin conditions. Sliced seed applied on sores. Dried seed considered highly poisonous and used in suicide attempts. (11)
- In the Cook Islands, grated seeds mixed with coconut cream rubbed onto burns. In Fiji, leaf decoction used for treatment of hernia. Bark decoction use to treat constipation and epilepsy. - In Samoa, used in the treatment of skin sores. Fruit ands bark use to treat yaws; seeds used for ringworm; bark used in treating tuberculosis. (12)
- In Ayurveda, used for burns, wounds, stomachache, rheumatism, worm infections, malarial splenomegaly, and tuberculosis.   (19)

Others
- Fish poison: In Indo-China, fruit used as fish poison. (see study below
10) In Solomon Islands and Samoa, used to stun fish. (12)
- Oil: In the Moluccas, oil is extracted from the seeds and used as illuminant.
- Wood: Used for construction of canoes and wooden houses, handicraft items. Also as firewood.
(10)

Studies
Antitumor / Phytochemicals:
Study evaluated the biological activity of the seeds of Barringtonia asiatica using the brine shrimp hatchability and lethality assay. Results showed high biological activity in both assays and suggests the possibility that botong seeds contain compounds that can be used to treat cancers and tumors. Phytochemicals yielded terpenoids and saponins. (2)
Antifungal: Crude methanolic extract of leaves, fruits, seed stems and root barks of B. asiatica showed a good level of broad spectrum antifungal activity. The methanolic extract of B. asiatica flower also activity against M. cais and T. rubrum. (3)
Saponins / Antifeedant Towards Epilachna sp. Larvae / Seeds: Methanol extract of seeds yielded two major saponins. Study discussed the antifeedant properties towards Epilachna larvae are discussed. (see constituents above) (6)
Anti-Epileptic Activity: Study evaluated a methanolic extract of B. asiatica for acute toxicity testing and antiepileptic activity. in albino Wistar rats. The extract showed antiepileptic activity in both MES (Maximal Electroshock) and PTZ (Pentylenetetrazole) induced seizure models. Possible mechanism may be mediation through chloride channel of GABA or benzodiazepine receptor complex. (7) Study showed significant delay in clonic seizure induced by PTZ and dose dependent decrease in duration of hindleg extension phase in MES model. Acute toxicity study of extract showed no toxicity up to recommended dose of 2000 mg/kbw orally per OECD guidelines. (23)
New Triterpene / Antimicrobial Activity: Study of freeze-dried bark of B. asiatica yielded a new triterpene: 3ß,11α)-11-hydroxyolean-12-en-3-yl palmitate, together with mixtures of other compounds. The compounds showed slight activity against C. albicans. Some compounds showed slight activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. (8)
Traditional Uses of Ichthyotoxic Plant: Study reports on traditional uses of the ichthyotoxic plant by the Nicobari tribes from the Car Nicobar Island of India. Seeds were used for killing fishes, octopus, etc. (Despite the killing of fish by narcotization, no human beings were affected by consuming the narcotized fish [Stokes, 1921]). After the 2004 tsunami, the popularity of fishing method diminished. Besides its use in harvesting fishes, study reports on the utilization of other plants parts for use in fractures, wounds, de-worming, and pain relief in human beings, besides the variety of uses for the wood. (10)
Oleanane Glycoside / Piscicidal: Study elucidated a new oleanane glycoside, ranuncoside VIII, 3-O-{[ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1.3)-2-ß-D- glucopyranosyl-(1.2)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyloxy}-21-O-{[(2E)-2-methyl-1-oxo-2- butenyl]oxy}-22-O-(2-methyl-1-oxobutoxy)-15,16,28-trihydroxy-(3ß,15a,16a,22a)-olean-12- ene. The compound demonstrated significant piscicidal activity in a model assay. (14)
Triterpenoid Saponin / Seeds: Study of a seed extract produced a white, oily, semi-solid compound that yielded compounds of alkaloid, saponin, triterpenoid, and tannin. Seeds yielded three triterpenoid saponin compounds viz., 2.4-bis-(1.1-dimethyl ethyl)-, methylcarbamate; 4-Dodecylphenol; and 2.6 bis-(1.1-dimethylethyl)-4-methyl-, methylcarbamate, with the potential to be biopesticidal. (15)
Anti-Dengue / Biolarvicide Activity on Aedes Aegypti / Seeds: Study evaluated the effectiveness of vegetable insecticide extracts of hutun (Barringtonia asiatica Kurz.) seeds on larvae of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) vector Aedes aegypti mosquito. Results showed the methanol extract of hutun seeds is an active larvicide effectively killing larvae of Ae. aegypti with death concentration value LC50 of 35.572 ppm. (16)
Cytotoxicity in Artemia salina / Seeds: Study evaluated the crude water extract of botong seeds for biologic activity using brine shrimp hatchability and lethality assay. Crude extracts yielded terpenoids and saponins. Results showed high biological activity in both assays with an LC50 better than positive control. Findings suggest the presence of seed compounds with potential biologic activity for the treatment of cancer or tumor. (17)
Fixed Oil / Alternative Fuel: Seeds yield about 2.9% fixed oil, including olein, palmitin, and stearin, 0.54% of gallic acid, and a glucoside, barringtonin 3.271%, which can be considered a potential alternative fuel. This extraction study showed that castor beans had a higher percentage yield than that of Botong nut samples; however both fruit samples yielded similar results. Protease enzymes showed higher yield than pectinase enzymes because of higher amounts of protein in both samples. (18)
Larvicidal / Spodopthera litura / Seeds: Study evaluated the effectiveness of methanol extract from keben seeds (B. asiatica) on mortality of Spodopthera litura larvae on soybean plant. Results showed the seed extract was quite effective in suppressing the intensity of damage in leaves caused by S. litura on soybean plant. Pretreatment showed significant impact on mortality of S. litura instar II. (20)
Wound Antiseptic / Leaves: Study evaluated the effectiveness of B. asiatica leaf extract as an antiseptic in treating wound and its effect on healing time and microbial growth. Results showed the B. asiatica leaf extract was effective as wound antiseptic in mice. Leaf extract treatment hastened the healing of wounds. Microbial count was highest in the control, lower with the leaf extract, and least with betadine. There was no significant difference found between the effects of B. asiatica leaf extract and commercial antiseptic in mice. (21)
• Wound Healing / Bark: Study evaluated the wound healing activity of bark of Barringtonia asiatica in simple ointment formulation of 2% and 4% (w/w) in three types of rat models viz., excision, incision, and burn wound model. Results showed remarkable wound healing activity, comparable to standard drug, nitrofurazone in measures of wound contracting ability, wound closure time, and tensile strength. The 4% w/w alcoholic extract exhibited significant (p<0.001) wound contracting ability and period of epithelization. (22)
• Antibacterial / Antioxidant / Leaf Essential Oils: Study evaluated the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of essential oil of dichloromethane crude extract of B. asiatica leaves. The extract showed broad spectrum antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae with inhibition values range between 2.50 and 5.00 mm. The dichloromethane extract also exhibited strong antioxidant activities by DPPH assay. (see constituents above) (24)
• Antibacterial Triterpenes / Leaves: Study of leaves of B. asiatica yielded two new triterpenes, germanicol caffeoyl ester (1) and camelliagenone (2). Study also afforded germanicol trans-coumaroyl ester (3), germanicol cis-coumaroyl ester (4), germanicol (5), camelliagenin A (6), spinasterol, sitosterol, squalene, lutein and trilinolein. Compounds 3, spinasterol and trilinolein were isolated isolated from the fruits, while seeds yielded spinasterol, squalene, linoleic acid, and trilinolein. Compounds 1-5 exhibited antifungal activity against Candida albicans, while 1-3 and 5 showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Compound 5 was active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (26)
• Cytotoxicity / Anticancer / Ovarian Carcinoma A2780 / Seeds: Study of investigated the cytotoxic effect of B. asiatica seed extract against ovarian carcinoma A2780 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae as cancer model organism. Findings revealed anticancer activity and capability to induce G1 cell cycle arrest in S. cerevisiae. Results suggest a potential source of natural compounds for anticancer drug discovery. (27)

Availability
- Wild-crafted.

Updated October 2023 / June 2018 / November 2016

PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: Barringtonia asiatica - twin flower / Varun Pabrai / CC BY-SA 4.0 International  / click on image or link to go to source page / Wikimedia Commons
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Barringtonia asiatica - fish-poison tree / 葉子 / CCO: No rights reserved / click on image or link to go to source page / iNaturalist
IMAGE SOURCE: Illustration / Barringtonia speciosa / Flora de Filipinas / 1880 - 1883 / Francisco Manuel Blanco (OSA) / Public Domain ) / Wikimedia Commons
IMAGE SOURCE: Barringtonia asiatica - Immature fruit /  CC BY SA 2.5 / Tau'olunga / click on image or link to go to source page / Wikipedia
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Photograph / Barringtonia asiatica, futu, fish-poison tree / © NPS photo by National Tropical Botanical Garden / click on image to go to source page / Higher Plants & Ferns of National Park of American Samoa

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Poison Tree (Barringtonia Asiatica): An Amazing Tree That Cures Many Diseases / Factoids / Patrick Regoniel
(2)
Bioactivity Study of Barringtonia asiatica (Linnaeus) Kurz. Seed Aqueous Extract in Artemia salina / Elmer-Rico E. Mojica and Jose Rene L. Micor / Int. J. Bot., 3: 325-328.
(3)
Antifungal activity of extracts and phenolic compounds from Barringtonia racemosa L. (Lecythidaceae) / N M Hussin, R Muse, S Ahmad et al / African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 8 (12), pp. 2835-2842, 17 June, 2009
(4)
A Triterpene Ester Saponin from the Seeds of Barringtonia asiatica
/ Rymond J Rumampuk, Emma J Pongoh et at / Indonesian Journ of Chemistry, 2003, 3 (3), 149-155.
(5)
Barringtonia asiatica / Vernacular names / GLOBinMED
(6)
Two major saponins from seeds of Barringtonia asiatica: putative antifeedants toward Epilachna sp. larvae / Herlt AJ, Mander LN, Pongoh E, Rumampuk RJ, Tarigan P. / J Nat Prod. 2002 Feb; 65(2): pp 115-20 /
DOI: 10.1021/np000600b
(7)
ANTI-EPILEPTIC ACTIVITY OF BARRINGTONIA ASIATICA (L.) / Thirupathi Gorre*, A. Bhikku, M. Nagulu, G. Sandhya Rani / International Journal of Pharmacological Screening Methods, Vol 1, No 1, pp 20-24.
(8)
A new triterpene from Barringtonia asiatica / Consolacion Y. Ragasa*, Dinah L. Espineli & Chien-Chang Shen / Natural Product Research: Formerly Natural Product Letters, Vol 26, No 20, 2012 / DOI:10.1080/14786419.2011.619187
(9)
Barringtonia asiatica / Synonyms / Kew: Plants of the World Online
(10)
Traditional usages of ichthyotoxic plant Barringtonia asiatica (L.) Kurz. by the Nicobari tribes / T. Ravikumar, Nagesh-Ram, S. Dam-Roy, P. Krishnan, Grinson-George, M. Sankaran, V. Sachithanandam / Journal of Marine and Island Cultures, Volume 4, Issue 2, December 2015, Pages 76–80
(11)
Medicinal Plants in Papua New Guinea / World Health Organization: Western Pacific Region
(12)
Medicinal Plants in the South Pacific: Barringtonia asiatica / WHO Regional Publications: Western Pacific Series No. 19
(13)
INSECTICIDAL PROPERTIES OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN THE COASTAL STRANDS OF MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA / VIVIEN (DONGWON) LEE
(14)
Elucidation of a new oleanane glycoside from Barringtonia asiatica
/ Robert A. Burton; Steven G. Wood; Noel L. Owen / Archive for Organic Chemistry, Volume 2003, Issue 13, pp. 137-146 /
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3998/ark.5550190.0004.d14
(15)
Isolation and Identification Of Triterpenoid Saponin From Baringtonia asiatica Kurz Seeds / Meity N Tanor, Abdul Latief Abadi, Bambang Tri Rahardjo, Jantje Pelealu / THE JOURNAL OF TROPICAL LIFE SCIENCE, VOL. 4, NO. 2, pp. 119-122 , May, 2014
(16)
Effectiveness of Seed Extract Hutun (Barringtonia asiatica KURZ), on Larva Aedes aegypti Vector Disease Dengue Fever / Alfrits Komansilan, Ni Wayan Suriani / International Journal of ChemTech Research, Vol.9, No.04 pp 617-624, 2016
(17)
Bioactivity Study of Barringtonia asiatica (Linnaeus) Kurz. Seed Aqueous Extract in Artemia salina
/ Elmer-Rico E. Mojica and Jose Rene L. Micor / International Journal of Botany, 2007, Volume 3, Issue 3, Pp 325-328 / DOI: 10.3923/ijb.2007.325.328
(18)
CHARACTERISTICS OF METHYL ESTERS DERIVED FROM ENZYME ASSISTED EXTRACTS OF BARRINGTONIA ASIATICA AND RICINUS COMMUNIS / Alyssandra Janine B. Baylon, Rachel Anne F. Yadao and Lourdes P. Guidote / Presented at the Research Congress 2013 De La Salle University Manila March 7-9, 2013
(19)
Ayurvedic Plants Database: Barringtonia asiatica / Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka
(20)
Methanol Extract of Barringtonia asiatica, Kurz. Quite Effective Induce Mortality Of Spodopthera litura, Fabr. Larvae on soybean plants / Meity N Tanor, Abdul Latief Abadi, Bambang Tri Raharjo, Jantje Pelealu / Journal of Biology and Life Science, Vol 5, No 2 (2014) / DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5296/jbls.v5i2.5587
(21)
Barringtonia asiatica leaf extract as wound antiseptic in mice / Uplodaded by Isagani Musa / Project adviser: Nanelita B. Omaña / Official entry of Pambuhan National HIgh School : 2011 National Science Quest
(22)
SCREENING OF WOUND HEALING EFFECT OF BARK OF BARRINGTONIA ASIATICA / Sumalatha Govindam*, Manjeera Kuchi, Umamahesh Balekari, G. Sandhya Rani / International Journal of Pharmacology Research, 2011; 1(1): pp 26-31.
(23)
ANTI CONVULSANT ACTIVITY OF BARRINGTONIA ASIATICA / G. Sandhya Rani* and Thirupathi Gorre / World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol 6, Issue 7: pp 858-866
(24)
Phytochemical Screening of Essential Oils and Antibacterial Activity and Antioxidant Properties of Barringtonia asiatica (L) Leaf Extract / Isaac John Umaru, Fasihuddin A Badruddin, Hauwa A Umaru / Biochemistry Research International, Volume 2019; Article ID 7143989 / DOI: 10.1155/2019/7143989
(25)
Barringtonia asiatica / Wikipedia
(26)
New Triterpenes from Barringtonia asiatica / Consolacion Y Ragasa, Dinah L Espineli, Chien-Chang Shen / Journal Free Access, 2011; 59(6): pp 778-782 / DOI: 10.1248/cpb.59.778
(27)
Barringtonia asiatica Seed Extract Induces G1 Cell Cycle Arrest in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Exhibits Cytotoxicity in A2780 Human Ovarian Cancer Cells / Nilita Sirikit P Villanueva, Carmel Vannette B Vicera, Sheeny Fane L Leonida, Melissa June Paderog, Edna M Sabido, Jonel P Salude, Doralyn S Dalisay / Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International, 2021;  33(53A): pp 372-387 /
DOI: 10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i53A33672

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)

                                                            List of Understudied Philippine Medicinal Plants
                                          New plant names needed
The compilation now numbers over 1,400 medicinal plants. While I believe there are hundreds more that can be added to the collection, they are becoming more difficult to find. If you have a plant to suggest for inclusion, please email the info: local plant name (if known), any known folkloric medicinal use, scientific name (most helpful), and, if possible, a photo. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

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