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Family Buxaceae

Boxwood
Buxus sempervirens L.
COMMON BOX

Scientific names Common names
Buxus augustifolia Mill. Box (Engl.)
Buxus arborescens Mill. Boxwood (Engl.)
Buxus argentea Steud. Common Box (Engl.)
Buxus aurea Steud. Common Boxwood (Engl.)
Buxus caucasica K.Koch  
Buxus colchica Pojark.  
Buxus crispa K.Koch  
Buxus cucullata K.Koch  
Buxus elegantissima K.Koch  
Buxus fruiticosa Borkh.  
Buxus handsworthii K.Koch  
Buxus marginata Steud.  
Buxus mucronata Baill.  
Buxus myrtiflolia Lam.  
Buxus rosmarinifolia Baill.  
Buxus salicifolia K.Koch.  
Buxus sempervirens L.  
Buxus suffruticosa Mill.  
Buxus tenuifolia Baill.  
Buxus variegata Steud.  
Buxus vulgaris Bubani  
Buxus sempervirens L. is an accepted name. The Plant List

Other vernacular names
CATALAN: Boix.
DUTCH: Buxus, Palmboompje.
FINNISH: Isopuksipuu.
FRENCH: Buis, Buis common, Buis sempervirent.
GERMAN: Buchs, Buchsbaum, Bemeiner buchs, Gemeiner buchsbaum, Gewohnlicheeer buchs, Immeergrüner buchs, Immergrüner buchsbaum.
PAKISTAN: Shamshad.
POLISH: Bukspan ogrodowy.
SLOVAK: Kruspan vzdyzeleny.
SPANISH: Boj.

Botany
Common boxwood is a woody evergreen shrub growing to a height of 5 meters, densely branching, with a trunk up to 20 centimeters in diameter. Leave are in thick masses, arranged in opposite pairs along the stems, green to yellow-green, oval, 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, and 0.5 to 1.3 centimeters wide. Flowers are monoecious, inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, with no petals. Fruit is a three-lobed capsule containing 3 to 6 seeds. (6)

Distribution
- Recently introduced.
- Native to southwest Asia, Europe, northwest Africa.
- Used as a border plant.
- Popular indoor plant, especially for bonsai.

Constituents
- Contains the alkaloid buxine which causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. (See Toxicity below)
- Cycloprotobuxine, another alkaloid present in small amount, is being investigated as an anticancer agent.
- Aqueous extract of leaves yielded alkaloids, phenolic compounds (flavonoids, tannins, and cyanidins), carbohydrates, reducing sugars, and mucilage. (see study below) (9)
- Study of EtOH-soluble extract of roots isolated three new steroids alkaloids, (+)-semperviraminol (1), (+)-buxamine F (2), and (+)-17-oxocycloprotobuxine (3), along with two known steroidal alkaloids, (+)-buxoxybenzamine (4) and (+)-buxapapillinine (5). (see study below) (16)

Properties
• Considered alterative, antiperiodic, antirheumatic, cathartic, cholagogue, diaphoretic, febrifuge, narcotic, odontalgic, oxytoxic. (5)
Studies have showed antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anticholinesterase, lipid lowering, anticancer, antiprotozoal, and antitrypanosomal properties.

Uses
Folkloric
• No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
• In Tunisia, considered antineoplastic.
• In Italy, employed as antimalarial.
• Used for rheumatism. Plant essential oil used in dentistry. (5)
• In Pakistan, whole plant, leaves and stems used as febrifuge, purgative and diaphoretic; also used for rheumatism. (18)
Others
Superstition / Witches: Believed to prevent witches from entering households. Because of its compactness and smallness of leaves, witches, with their penchant for counting leaves and twigs of trees, are stymied trying the count and recount the number of leaves.
Wood: Wood is very hard and heavy, ideal for cabinet making, crafting clarinets, engraving, wood-turning, tool handles. (6)

Studies
Phytochemicals / Steroidal Alkaloids: Phytochemical investigation of roots of B sempervirens isolated seven new steroidal alkaloids. (1)
Butyrylcholinesterase Activity: Chloroform extracts from the plant species of eight families were screened for their anticholinesterase activity on AChE and BChE enzymes. Three extracts, including Buxus sempervirens, were the most active against butyrylcholinesterase enzymes. (2)
Analgesic Activity: In a study of extracts of B sempervirens for analgesic activity, the aerial parts showed varying degrees of analgesic activity while the roots showed highly significant analgesic effect in a dose-dependent manner. (3)
Antioxidant / Lipid Lowering: Study of an aqueous extract of B. sempervirens in diabetic rats exhibited significant antioxidant activity by DPPH and FRAP assay. Extract caused a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol and LDL-C levels, with no change noted in triglyceride and VLDL-C levels. (8)
Antidiabetic / Leaves: Study evaluated the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of leaves of Buxus sempervirens in streptozoticin-induced diabetic rats. The extract reduced blood glucose of both healthy and diabetic rats, with improvement of oral glucose tolerance in diabetic rats. There was no amelioration of hepatic histology. (see constituents above) (9)
Anticancer Towards Five Breast Cancer Cell Lines: Study evaluated the cytotoxic activity of acetonic extract of Buxus sempervirens on five breast cancer cell lines viz. MCF7, MCF10CA1a, T47D, BT-20 and MDA-MB-435. The extract showed cytotoxic activity towards all the five breast cancer cell lines with IC50 range from 7.7 µg/ml to 12.5 µg/ml. The extract induced cell death and cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase in 4 of 5 cancer cell lines. Results suggest promising anticancer activity by triggering both autophagic cell death and apoptosis.  (10)
Antibiotic Adjuvant / Antibiotic Synergism: Study evaluated 28 plants from different families for antibacterial activity and as adjuvants in antibiotic therapy against Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA. B. sempervirens was one of five methanolic extract that showed an antibiotic potentialing effect. Further investigation of B. sempervirens identified betulinic acid as a major component, along with other terpenoids. Oleanolic acid showed synergism when combined with tetracycline and erythromycin. (11)
Laxative / Spasmolytic / Prokinetic: Study investigated the spasmolytic and laxative properties of Buxus sempervirens in rabbits and mice. Extracts significantly inhibited the rhythmic contractility of jejunum. The aqueous methanol extract produced significant (p<0.0001) laxative and prokinetic effects at 250 and 500 mg/kg doses, comparable to carbachol. Acute toxicity showed the AqMeBS was associated with one mortality at highest test dose of 12,000 mg/kg. Results support traditional use pf Buxus sempervirens as laxative and prokinetc remedy in the management of constipation. (12)
New Triterpenoidal Alkaloids / Antibacterial / Roots: Study of roots of B. sempervirens isolated two new triterpenoidal alkaloids, (+)-16α, 31- diacetylbuxadine (1), (-)-Nb-demethylcyclomikuranine (2) along with three known natural products, (-)-cyclomikuranine (3), (-)-cyclobuxophylline-K (4) and (+)-buxaquamarine (5). Compound 2 exhibited antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria and weak phytotoxic activity against Lemna minor Linn. (13)
Antiprotozoal / O-tigloylcyclovirobuxeiine-B Alkaloid / Plasmodium falcifarum: A CH2Cl2 extract from leaves of B. sempervirens showed selective in vitro activity against Plasmodium falcifarum with IC50=2.79 vs 20.2 µg/ml for cytotoxicity against L6 rat cells. Activity of the crude extract was attributed to alkaloid constituents. Further subtraction isolated the most active fraction, the cycloartane alkaloid O-tigloylcyclovirobuxeine-B, which showed the most significant antiplasmodial potency of the crude extract. (14)
Selective Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Alkaloids: Study isolated two alkaloids, (+)-buxabenzamidienine (1) and (+)-buxamidine (2) from B. sempervirens. The compounds showed selective inhibition of AChE. Molecular docking studies reports on the interaction of compound 1 with acyl-binding pocket of huAChE and other hydrophobic interactions. (15)
Steroidal Alkaloids / Phytotoxicity: Study of extract of roots isolated three new steroidal alkaloids along with two known steroidal alkaloids. Compounds 4 and 5 exhibited phytotoxic activity against Lemna minor. (see constituents above) (16)
Anti-Trypanosomal Activity / Alkaloids / Leaves: A previous study reported on the antiplasmodial activity of Ch2Cl2 extract from leaves. In the same study, some subfractions were found to have specific anti-trypanosomal activity. Further study isolated subfraction E9 which showed an IC50 of 0.18 µg/ml and good selectivity index of 26.2. (17)

Toxicity
Livestock: Anecdotal reports of poisoning to farm animals. Accidental grazing may cause respiratory failure and death.
Buxine: Buxine, the principal alkaloid, can cause respiratory paralysis in humans and livestock.

Availability
Wild-crafted.

© Godofredo U. Stuart Jr., M.D.

Updated May 2018 / November 2014

Photos © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: / Illustration / Buxus sempervirens / Public Domain / Wikipedia

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
PHYTOCHEMICAL AND STRUCTURAL STUDIES ON THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS OF BUXUS SEMPERVIRENS AND B. PAPILLOSA / Samina Naz / Thesis

(2)
Acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of some Turkish medicinal plants / Orhan I et al / Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Volume 91, Issue 1, March 2004, Pages 57-60 / doi:10.1016/j.jep.2003.11.016 |
(3)
SCREENING OF SOME TURKISH MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR THEIR ANALGESIC ACTIVITY / Fayyaz Ahmad et al / Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6(2); 29-36, July 1993
(4)
Comparative analysis of medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in Italy and Tunisia / Maria Lucia Leoporatti and Kamel Ghedira / Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2009, 5:31doi:10.1186/1746-4269-5-31
(5)
Buxus sempervirens / Plants For A Future
(6)
Buxus sempervirens / Wikipedia
(7)
Buxus sempervirens / Synonyms / The Plant List
(8)
Buxus sempervirens L. improves lipid profile in diabetic rats / Mohammed Ajebli, Mohamed Eddouks / Pharmacological and Phytochemical Investigation of Medicinal Plants, April 2018 / DOI: 10.2174/1871529X18666180419100823
(9)
Buxus sempervirens L Improves Streptozotocin-induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats.
/ Ajebli M, Eddouks M / Cardiovasc Hematol Disord Drug Targets, 2017; 17(2): pp 142-152 / DOI:: 10.2174/1871529X17666170918140817.
(10)
Acetonic Extract of Buxus sempervirens Induces Cell Cycle Arrest, Apoptosis and Autophagy in Breast Cancer Cells / Ouardia Ait-Mohamed, Valentine Battisti, Véronique Joliot, Lauriane Fritsch, Julien Pontis,Souhila Medjkane, Catherine Redeuilh, Aazdine Lamouri, Christine Fahy, Mohamed Rholam, Djebbar Atmani, Slimane Ait-Si-Ali  / PLOS:one / https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0024537
(11)
Antibiotic adjuvants from Buxus sempervirens to promote effective treatment of drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms  / A C Abreu, D Paulet, A Cooquerio, J Malheiro, A Borges, M J Saavedra, Y H Choi and M Simoes / Journal of RSC Advances, Issue 97, 2016
(12)
Investigation of the laxative, spasmolytic and prokinetic properties of aqueous methanol extract of Buxus sempervirens Linn (Buxaceae) / Irfan Hamid* and Khalid Hussain Janbaz / Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research August 2017; 16 (8): pp 1865-1872 / http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/tjpr.v16i8.16
(13)
NewTriterpenoidal Alkaloids from Buxus sempervirens / Athar Ata,  Samina Naz, M. Iqbal Choudhary,  Atta-ur-Rahman, Bilge Sener, Songul Turkoz / Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung C. A Journal of Bioscience
(14)
Antiprotozoal Activity of Buxus sempervirens and Activity-Guided Isolation of O-tigloylcyclovirobuxeine-B as the Main Constituent Active against Plasmodium falciparum  / Julia B Altaus, Gerold Jerz, Peter Winterhalter, Marcel Kaiser, Reto Brun, and Thonas J Schmidt / Molecules 201419(5), 6184-6201 / https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19056184
(15)
Selective Cholinesterase Inhibitors from Buxus sempervirens L. and their Molecular Docking Studies / Ilkay E Orhan, Mahmud T H Khan, Sinem A Erdem, Murat Kartal, Bilge Sener / Current Computer-Aided Drug Design, Volume 7 , Issue 4 , 2011 / DOI: 10.2174/157340911798260296
(16)
New Steroidal Alkaloids from the Roots of Buxus sempervirens / Athar Ata, Samina Naz, M Iqbal Choudhary, Bilge Sener and Sonqui Turkoz / J. Nat. Prod., 1999, 62 (5), pp 665–669 / DOI10.1021/np980285h
(17)
Alkaloid subfractions of Buxus sempervirens L. leaves with strong in vitro activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / JB Althaus, G Jerz, P Winterhalter, M Kaiser, R Brun, TJ Schmidt / Planta Med 2014; 80 - WS7 / DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1394548
(18)
Studies on the traditional uses of plants of Malam Jabba valley, District Swat, Pakistan
/ Ilyas Iqbal and Muhammad Hamayun
(19)
Buxus sempervirens: Boxwood / Common Names / EOL

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.

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