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Family Myrtaceae
Daniri
Decaspermum fruticosum J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.

TAILOR TREE
Sui mi shu

Scientific names Common names
Decaspermum fruticosum J. R. Forst. & G. Forst. Agem (Bin., Ilk.)
Decaspermum forsteri Seem. Alungkagai (Bis.)
Nelitris forsteri Seem. Barit (Bis.)
Nelitris fruticosa (J. R. Forst. & G. Forst.) A. Gray Baringaras (Bag.)
Nelitris jambosella Gaertn. Bultia (Ig.)
Psidium decaspermum L.f. Caching (Ig.)
  Daniri (Tag.)
  Dugayon (C. Bis.)
  Gusokan (C. Bis.)
  Halgus (Mbo.)
  Kamigrin (Lan.)
  Kansilai (Sul.)
  Lardu (Ig.)
  Malagiting-giting (Tag.)
  Patalsik (Tag.)
  Pulupos (Sub.)
  Salilihan (C. Bis.)
  Salingsiñgang (Ig.)
  Sandal (Sub.)
  Tarongatiñgan (S. L. Bis.)
  Tuan (Ig.)
  Ulingon (Tag.)
  Tailor tree (Engl.)
Decaspermum fruiticosum J.R. Forst & G. Forst is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online
Some compilations and sites consider Decaspermum parviflorum and Decaspermum fruiticosum J.R. Forst & G. Forst as synonyms, some list them as separate species. This site deals with the issue as separate species until evidence definitely indicates otherwise.
Patalsik as local common name is also shared by Decaspermum  fruticosum and D. parviflorum.

Other vernacular names
CHINESE: Wu ban zi lian shu, Sui mi shu.
INDONESIA: Saledemo.
MALAY: Tuka benang, Badaduk, Kelentit nyamuk.



Gen info
- Decaspermum is a genus of the botanical family Myrtaceae, first described as a genus in 1776. It is native to China, Southeast Asia, and various islands in the Pacific Ocean. (13)

Botany
Daniri is an erect shrub or small tree. Leaves are opposite, ovate or lanceolate-ovate, up to 8 centimeters or more in length, 1 to 3 centimeters in width, pointed or blunt at the base, pointed at the tip, smooth when old, and often silky beneath when young. Flowers are white or pink and borne on terminal panicles or from the upper leaf axils, with numerous anthers in a ring around the center. Fruit is rounded, flattened, 5 to 8 millimeters thick, and terminated by the calyx crown which turns red when ripe.

Distribution
- Common throughout the Philippines in all or most islands and provinces, in thickets and secondary forests from sea level to an altitude of 2,000 feet.
- Also occurs in India and China through Malaya to tropical Australia and Polynesia.

Constituents
- Phytochemical screening yielded terpenoids, phenols, steroids, and flavonoids.

Properties
- Astringent, antidysenteric.
- Studies have shown ligand binding inhibition and anti-babesial activity.

Parts used
Leaves, sap, fruits.

Uses

Edibility
- In Java and Sumatra, sweetish berries are eaten.
- In Java, terminal shoots are used as seasoning.
Folkloric
- In the Philippines, fruit is used as a remedy for stomach pains.
- Sap of branches used as remedy for sore eyes. Heated leaves applied to axe or knife wounds.
- Leaves are chewed with betel for dysentery.
- Astringent leaves are chewed for helping the teeth become firm.
- An ingredient in the preparation of Tongan oil for massage - the pounded endocarp of nuts of Aleurites moluccans with the leaves or flowers of M. denticulatum, Decaspermum fruticosum, Cinnamomum spp, and C. amboinicus in the oil of grated coconut.
(7)
- In the swamp areas in Narathivas province of Thailand, fresh leaves mixed with other herbs, crushed into a small ball and swallowed, given after uterotonic and to decrease ochia after giving birth. (8)
- In Malaysia, roots of F. fruticosum mixed with leaf and root of Ixora elliptica are boiled and infusion drunk to treat warm body and fatigue. Decoction also used as a bath. (10)
- In Borneo, leaves chewed with betel nuts to treat dysentery, swollen gums, and to make the teeth firm; fruits used as remedy for stomach pains. (11)
- In Indonesia, used as cold medicinal: decoction of boiled leaves drunk and used for bathing. (6) Leaves used for dysentery and malaria. (14)

Studies
Inhibitory Activity on Ligand Binding on 5HT1a Receptors:
Study evaluated 185 plant samples from 30 plant families from Malaysian forests on its ability to inhibit specific radioligand binding to 5HT1a, GABA)B), and dopamine (D25) receptors. In preliminary screening, 23 plant extracts showed activity, and of these, seven, including Decaspermum friuticosum extract from bark, were reconfirmed to be active on 5HT1a receptor. None showed activity against either GABA(B) or D25 receptors. (2)
Anti-Babesial Activity:
Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease of wild and domestic dogs caused by intraerythrocytic parasites, Babesonia gibsoni and B. canis. Study evaluated 45 plants extracts for in vitro antibabesial activity. Twenty-one extracts, including D. fruticosum leaves, showed antibabesial activity with IC50 baluyes ≤ 62.5µg/ml. (3)
Anti-Inflammatory / Antiasthma / Pharmaceutical Composition:
This invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory disease or asthma with the extract of Decaspermum as active ingredient. The extract inhibited the increase of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the ovalbumin-induced asthma animal model, with inhibition of secretion of immunoglobulins and chemokine (Eotaxin) in BAL fluid and blood, and inhibition of secretions of NO and TNF-α in macrophages. (5)
• Secretory Structure:
Study sought to identify the secretory structure of plants used as stimulant and chemical compounds accumulated in it. Results showed idioblast cells and secretory cavities were found in leaves of Decaspermum fruticosum and P. rumphii. Most idoblast cells contain lipophilic substances and terpenoids or alkaloids, while secretory cavity contained alkaloids. Phytochemical analysis yielded terpenoids, phenols, steroids, and flavonoids, (6)
• Muscarinic Receptive Activity Inhibition:
Muscarinic receptor binding was tested on 224 plant extracts from 50 plant families found in Malaysia. Extracts were dissolved in 50% DMSO for a concentration of 2 mg/ml. Activation of muscarinic receptors in the periphery causes decrease in heart rate, relaxation of blood vessels, airway constriction, increase in secretions, increase in lacrimal sweat glands, among others. Bark of Decaspermum fruiticosum showed 2+ inhibition equivalent to 40-60% inhibition. (
9)
Anti-Inflammatory / Anti-Asthma / Invention: Invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating inflammatory disease and asthma containing an extract of Decaspermum fruiticosum, which suppressed increase of eosinophils in bronchoalverolar lavage fluid in an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic animal model, and confirmed to suppress immunoglobulin secretion and chemokine secretion in alveolar lavage fluid and blood, and suppress macrophage NO and TNF-α secretion. (12)

Availability
Wild-crafted.


Updated March 2023 / October 2018 / November 2013

PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: / Photo / Myrtaceae : Decaspermum fruticosum / Inflorescence / Copyright © 2011 by Leonardo L. Co (contact: benctan@berkeley.edu) [ref. DOL27242] / Non-Commercial Use / Click on photo to see source image / Phytoimages.siu.edu
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Decaspermum fruticosum - coloured engraving / Ink And Watercolours On Paper/ Gerald Sibelius / Natural History Museum

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(2)
Central nervous system receptor activities of some Malaysian plant species. / Chung, L.Y.; Goh, S.H.; Imiyabir, Z. / Pharmaceutical Biology, 2005, 43 (3). pp. 280-288.
(3)
Effects of Central Kalimantan Plant Extracts on Intraerythrocytic Babesia gibsoni in Culture / Subeki, Hideyuki Matsura, Teruhiko Yoshihara et al / J. Vet. Med. Sci., 2004; 66(7): pp 871–874
(4)
Decaspermum fruticosum / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(5 )
Pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating inflamatory disease or asthma containing an extract of decaspermum fruticosum / Sei Ryang Oh, Kyung Seop Ahn, Ok-Kyoung Kwon, et al / US20130323331A1 / US Application
(6)
Secretory Structure, Histochemistry and Phytochemistry Analyses of Stimulant Plant
/ and IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 2017; 58: 012048 / DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/58/1/012048
(7)
Healing Practices in the South Pacific / Edited by Claire D Parsons
(8)
Herbs from Peat Swamp Forests in Narathivas, Thailand
/ Tasanee Kitirattrakarn and Choojit Anantchoke / Proc. WOCMAP III, Vol.6: Traditional Medicine & Nutraceuticals Eds. U.R. Palaniswamy, L.E. Craker and Z.E. Gardner / Acta Hort. 680, ISHS 2005
(9)
Muscarinic Receptor Activity of Some Malaysian Plant Species / L.Y. Chung, K.F. Yap, M.R. Mustafa, S.H. Goh, and Z. Imiyabir / Pharmaceutical Biology, 2005; Vol. 43, No. 8: pp 672–682
(10)
Medicinal Plants of Kadazndusun of Kuala Penyu, Sabah, Malysia / Julius Kulip, Sining Unchi PhD, and George Majawat / Forestry Research Center Sabah, PO Box 1407, 90715 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
(11)
A Phytochemical Study of Borneo: Selected Plants from Sabah Lowland Forests / S. H. Goh, K. H. Lee C. H. Chuah, H.C.Ong, L. Madani, J. T. Pereira / Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, 1997; 5(I): pp 29-52 / © 1997 by The Haworth Press, Inc.
(12)
Pharmaceutical composition for preventing and treating inflammatory disease or asthma containing an extract of decaspermum fruticosum / WO2012111934A3 / Google Patents
(13)
Decaspermum / Wikipedia
(14)
Potency of the Indonesian Medicinal Plants as Antimalarial Drugs / Subeki / Jurnal Teknolgi dan Industri Hasil Pertanian, 2008; 13(1)

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)

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