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Family Gleicheniaceae
Kilob
Dilim
Dicranopteris linearis
(Burm.) Underw.

TANGLE FERN
Mang qi

Scientific names  Common names
Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.) Underw. Gapingoi (Bon.)
Gleichenia linearis (Burm.f.) C.B.Clarke Dilim (Tag.)
Mertensia linearis (Burm.f.) Fritsch Kilob (Tag.)
Polypodium lineare Burm.f. Tilub (Tag.)
Accepted Infraspecifics False staghorn fern (Engl.)
Dicranopteris linearis var. alternans (Mett.) Holttum Linear forked fern (Engl.)
Dicranopteris linearis var. bidentata Alderw. Old world forked fern (Engl.)
Dicranopteris linearis f. emarginata (Brack.) W.H.Wagner Scrambling fern (Engl.)
Dicranopteris linearis var. ferruginea (Blume) Holttum Tangle fern (Engl.)
Dicranopteris linearis var. inequalis (Rosenst.) Holttum Umbrella fern (Engl.)
Dicranopteris linearis var. linearis  
Dicranopteris linearis var. rigida (Blume) Holttum  
Dicranopteris linearis var. stipulosa Christ  
Dicranopteris linearis var. subferruginea (Hieron. ex Brause) Nakai  
Dicranopteris linearis var. subspeciosa Hottum  
Dicranopteris linearis (Burm. f.) Underw. is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
CHINESE: Mang qi.
INDIA: Raj hans
HAWAII: Uluhe.
JAPANESE: Ko-shida
MALAYSIA: Resam
WEST AFRICAN: Kissi yendon, Mende koye

Gen info
- The forked ferns are the family Gleicheniaceae, which includes 6 genera and about 160 known species.
- Dicranopteris (forked fern) is a genus of tropical ferns in the family Gleicheniaceae comprising about 20 species.
- Etymology: The genus name Dicranopteris means two-branched. The species epithet linearis means narrow and parallel-sided, referring to the fronds.
- A plant story is told that Diliman district in Quezon City, home of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus derives its name from Dicranopteris linearis, loc
ally known as 'Dilim" with the suffix 'an' to indicate where the fern is common. (21)

Botany
Kilob is a vigorously creeping ground fern with long branching stems and slender rhizomes, growing up to several meters long, with very large fronds that repeatedly forks, with budlike structures in the forks. Segments are linear or broader. Sori are few and brown on the underside, with no indusium.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- Widely distributed in the Philippines, frequently forming dense tangles in open places in mountains.

- Found throughout the tropics and in Japan and New Zealand; abundant in the Malay Peninsula.
- Also native to Andaman Is., Assam, Australia, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, Fiji, Himalaya, Hawaii, India, Jawa, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, Vietnam etc. (13)

Constituents
- Study showed the leaves to be a good source of micronutrients.

- Study yielded flavonoids +, triterpenes +, tannins +, saponins +++, steroids +++.
- Phytochemical screening yielded phenols, flavonoids, total sugar, protein, vitamin C, carotenoids, tannin, chlorophyll, reducing sugar, and α-tocopherol. Predominant phenolics were catechin, caffeic, ferulic, salicylic and vanillic acid. (see study below). (17)
- Study of acetone and chloroform extracts of aerial parts yielded 13 bioactive compounds. Prevailing compounds in acetone extract were 3-Ethoxyacrylonitrile (61.93%), Indole-2-one, 2, 3-dihydro-N-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3, 3-dimethyl- (10.78%), Silicic acid, diethyl bis (trimethylsilyl) ester (14.43%) and 2-Ethylacridine (12.85%). The prevailing compounds in chloroform extract were 1H-Inden-1-ol, 2,3-dihydro- (2.88%), Phenol, 2,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)- (6.48%), Heptacosane (2.20%), Di-n-decylsulfone (6.43%), Ethanone, 2-(2-benzothiazolylthio)-1-(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)- (15.24%), 1-Bromoeicosane (15.11%), Methoxyacetic acid, 2-tridecyl ester (19.05%), Octadecane, 3-ethyl-5-(2-ethylbutyl)- (20.59%) and 1,2,4-Benzene tricarboxylic acid, 4-dodecyl dimethyl ester (12.02%).  (30)

Properties
- Considered antiasthmatic, febrifuge, anthelmintic.
- Studies have suggested antibacterial, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective, cytotoxicity, antidepressant, antibiofilm properties.

Parts utilized
Leaves, roots.

Uses
Edibility
- Study showed the leaves to be a good source of micronutrients.
Folkloric
- Young leaves are used as poultice, decoction or infusion for fever.
- Poultice of leaves used for wound dressing.
- Plant used as antiasthmatic.
- In Indo-China, used as anthelmintic.
- Roots of pulasan (Nephelium mutabile) are boiled with G. linearis and used for bathing feverish patients.
- Used for bloody diarrhea.
- Fern used to treat boils, ulcers, and external wounds.
-In east New Britain, bound externally to wounds, cuts and sores.
- In India, young leaves mixed with cow milk used for seven days to remove sterility in women.
- In Malaysia, crushed leaves used as poultice to control fever; juice of leaves used in baths for fever. In Indo-China, plants used to rid of intestinal worms.
- In New Guinea, used to treat boils, ulcers and wounds.
- In Thailand, decoction drunk against insomnia; also used for bathing children with skin rash.  In Hawaii, plant extract drunk to cure constipation. (23)
Others
- Crafts: In India, petioles and racheae used thatching huts. Also used for making writing pens.
In DR congo, leaf axes used for making basket-type fish traps and plaited for making local beds. In Gabon, hollow stems used for drinking palm wine and as children's blowpipe toy. In Asia, fibers used for plaiting, basketry, ropes, caps, arm bands and belts. (23)

Studies
Antioxidative / Antibacterial: In a study of leaf extracts of five medicinal ferns, G linearis showed to have antioxidative potential and antibacterial activity justifying its use in traditional medicine. (1)

Antinociceptive / Anti-Inflammatory / Antipyretic: Study of the chloroform extract of Dicranopteris linearis showed it to possess antinociceptive and anti inflammatory activity and justifies its traditional use by the Malays, especially for fever. (4)
Antibacterial: Petroleum, acetone, methanol and water extracts of Dicranopteris linearis exhibited antibacterial activity, maximum with the acetone extract. (5)
Antioxidant / Cytotoxic / Leaves: Study showed leaves of D. linearis possess potential cytotoxic activity against various types of cancer cell lines depending on the types of extracts and their phenolic content. (9)
Antioxidant: Study of aqueous extract of leaves showed antioxidant property, partly through free radical scavenging activity. (10)
Metal Sorbent for Lead Ions Removal: Lead is a heavy metal in industrial wastewater. The use of plant biomass such as fern tree Gleichenia linearis as metal sorbent offers an a potential treatment and removal alternative. Study showed high lead ion removal at 5 mg/L concentration, pH 5 and with smaller sorbent size, <500 um. (12)
Hepatoprotective / Paracetamol and Carbon Tetrachloride Toxicity / Leaves: Study evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of Dicranopteris linearis leaf aqueous extract in two models of liver injury in rats induced by paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride. Results showed DLAE possess hepatoprotective activity which could be attributed to its free radical scavenging and antioxidant activities, and high flavonoid contents. (14)
Chemopreventive / Leaves / DMBA-Croton Oil-induced Mouse Carcinogenesis: Study evaluated a methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis for chemoproventive potential in a two-stage mouse skin carcinogenesis model. Results showed anti-carcinogenic effect in a dose-dependent manner. (15)
Antimicrobial: Study ev
aluated the antimicrobial activities of extracts of dried leaf powder. Results showed high antibacterial activity against S. aureus and S. typhi and antifungal activity against Curvularia lunata, Macrophomina phaseolina and Aspergilus niger. (16)
Phytochemical Screening of Bioactive Compounds: Study screened and quantified the phytochemicals present in D. linearis and Pteris vittata. Quantitatively, the phenol, flavonoid, total sugar, protein, vitamin C and carotenoid were higher in Dicranopteris linearis than P. vittata, while tannin, total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a & b, reducing sugar and α-tocopherol were higher in P. vittata. Predominant phenolics were catechin, caffeic acid, feruli, salicylic and vanillic acid. (17)
Gastroprotective / Ethanol-Induced Mucosal Injury: Study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of ethanolic leaf extract of D. linearis against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in experimental rats. Results showed significant protection of gastric mucosa with increase gastric mucus production and decreased gastric acidity and gross reduction of ulcer area. (18)
Cytotoxicity / Leukemia Cell Line / Leaves: Study evaluated various extracts of dried leaves of D. linearis against Hl-60 (acute promyelocytic leukemia cell lines) and WRL 68 (normal liver cell line). The methanol extract showed promising cytotoxic activity against HL-60 (IC50=7.9 µg/ml. Fractionation of the methanol extract showed F7 with the best cytotoxic activity with an IC50 value of 25.12µg/ml. It was found to be non-toxic against normal cells. (19)
Hepatoprotective / Acetaminophen Toxicity / Leaves: Study evaluated the potential of methanolic extract of D. linearis leaves to attenuate liver intoxication induced by acetaminophen (APAP) in rats. Pretreatment with ME at all doses significantly (p<0.05) reduced ALT and AST while levels of CAT and SOD were significantly (p<0.05) restored to normal level. Histopathological exam showed remarkable improvement in liver cells architecture with increased dose of extract. HPLC and GCMS studies revealed presence of non-volatile (rutin, gallic acid, etc) and volatile (methyl palmitate, shikiic acid, etc) bioactive compounds. The hepatoprotective activity was attributed via ability to partly activate the endogenous antioxidant system and presence of bioactive compounds that might act synergistically. (22)
Antibacterial / Antibiofilm / Antibiotic-Potentiating / Polyphenol-Rich Fraction: Study evaluated the potential of a standardized polyphenol-rich fraction of D. linearis in counteracting planktonic and biofilm bacteria in skin wounds, by itself or in combination with conventional antibiotics. DL fraction exhibited dose dependent antibacterial effect of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. The fraction synergized with penicillin G, ampicillin and chloramphenicol to significantly inhibit growth of S. aureus and MRSA. Combination with vancomycin reduced the antibiotic dose required to prevent biofilm formation. Results support the traditional use for skin bacterial infections and suggest potential as an adjunct to conventional antibiotics for management of infected wounds. (24)
Antidepressant / Serotonergic, Noradrenergic, Opioidergic Responses / Leaves: Study evaluated the serotonergic, noradrenergic and opioidergic response of D. lineraris leaf extracts in Swiss albino mice. Forced Swim Test (FST) and Tail Suspension Test (TST) were used to evaluated antidepressant potential. In both FST and TST, the duration of immobility was reduced by imipramine and the ethanol extract In FST. The ethyl acetate extract increased climbing time in FST suggesting noradrenergic action and decreased swimming time suggested deficit of serotoninergic mechanism. Of the three extracts, the ethanol extract was more potent. Results suggest D. linearis is a potent antidepressant agent. (25)
Lack of Antimicrobial Activities / Leaves: Study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of aqueous, chloroform, and methanol extracts of leaves of D. linearis using micro-broth dilution method against strains of S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. The methanol extract was most active with MIC/MBC values of 625 µg/ml. Subsequent fractionation of ME yielded 11 fractions Only B5, B6, and B11 fractions showed activity with MIC/MBC values between 1250-2500 µg/ml. Results showed only mild antibacterial activity against the selected panel of microbes and reflects that lack of claim as antimicrobial. (26)
Suppression of CNS Functions / GABA-Mediated / Leaves: Study evaluated the potential of three different leaf extracts (aqueous, ethanol, and ethyl acetate) of D. linearis in altering CNS functions using Morris Maze, Elevated Plus Maze, Open Field, Hole Cross, and Head Dip tests. Results showed the ethanol extract significantly suppressed CNS activity by reducing number of locomotor activities and increase stability phase ( EPM and Morris Maze tests) supporting mild sedation, depression, and anxiolysis. The EA extract showed moderate to high potential in reducing locomotor activities. Results suggest the plant mimics the activity of a GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) agonist and suggests a GABA-mediated involvement in the CNS. (27)
α-tocopherol / Disruption of S. aureus Biofilm /  Leaves: Study evaluated the potential of D. linearis leaves and components for disrupting ability against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Among various fractions tested, only the hexane fraction showed biofilm disrupting ability, with 60-90% disruption activity against all four S. aureus strains tested. Bioassay-guided purification of active fraction isolated
α
-tocopherol, which did not affect cells within the biofilms but instead affects the biofilm matrix to disrupt S. aureus biofilms. Results suggest potential for α-tocopherol as a biofilm disruptive agent to treat biofilm-associated infections in the future. (28)
REE (Rare Earth Elements) Detoxification /  Leaves: Dicranopteris linearis is the best known hyperaccumulator species of rare earth elements (REEs) and silicon (Si), capable of dealing with toxic levels of REEs. Study evaluated how D. linearis leaves cope with excessive REE stress and whether Si plays a role in REE detoxicification. Results suggest Si-pectin matrix fixation is key in REE detoxicification in D. linearis, laying foundation for phytotechnological applications (e.g., REE phytomining) using this species in REE-contaminated sites. (29)

Availability
Wildcrafted.

Updated April 2023 / November 2015

PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
Photo © Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.) Underwood / Leaf close up / © Forest & Kim Starr / Creative Commons Attribution / Click on image to go to source page / EOL Encyclopedia of Life
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.) Underwood / Forest & Kim Starr / CC BY 3.0 / Click on image to go to source page / Wikipedia
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Dicranopteris linearis frond closeup / Michael Szoenyi / Public Domain / Click on image to go to source page / Wikipedia

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Antioxidative, Tyrosinase Inhibiting and Antibacterial Activities of Leaf Extracts from Medicinal Ferns / How Yee Lai et al / Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry Vol. 73 (2009) , No. 6 pp.1362-1366
(2)
Nutritional composition of uncommon foods and their role in meeting micronutrient needs / Rita S Raghuvanshi et al / International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, Volume 52, Issue 4 July 2001 , pages 331 - 335
(3)
Antinociceptive and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Dicranopteris linearis Leaves Chloroform Extract in Experimental Animals / Zainul amiruddin Zakaria et al / YAKUGAKU ZASSHI Vol. 126 (2006) , No. 11 1197-1203
(4)
Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties of an aqueous extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaves in experimental animal models / Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria et al / Journal of Natural Medicines • Volume 62, Number 2 / April, 2008 / DOI 10.1007/s11418-007-0224-x

(5)
Antibacterial activity of Dicranopteris linearis under in vitro conditions / T Thomas et al / STARS: Int. Journal (Sciences) 2007 • Vol.1, No.2, pp.191-195
(6)
Importance of Ferns in Human Medicine / Kamini Srivastava / Ethnobotanical Leaflets 11: 231-234. 2007.

(7)
Pulasan / Nephelium mutabile Blume / Morton, J. 1987. Pulasan. p. 265–266. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL.
(8)
Ethnobotanical Studies of Some Important Ferns / Kamini Srivastava / Ethnobotanical Leaflets 11: 164-172. 2007.
(9)
In vitro cytotoxic and antioxidant properties of the aqueous, chloroform and methanol extracts of Dicranopteris linearis leaves / Z A Zakaria, A M Mohamed, N S Mohd et al / African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 10 (2), pp. 273-282, 10 December, 2011
(10)
Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Some Plants Available in Malaysia / Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria / Iranian Journ of Pharma & Thera / Jan 2007 / Vol 6, No 1, 87-91
(11)
Dicranopteris linearis (Burm. f.) Underw. / Chinese names / Catalogue of Life, China
(12)
Fern Tree (Gleichenia Linearis) As Metal Sorbent For Lead Ions Removal
/ Fairus Muhamad Darus, and Faeiza Buyong, and Suzana Abdullah, (2004) / Analysis Chemistry Malaysia Symposium, 24 – 26 August 2004
(13)
Dicranopteris linearis (Burm. f.) Underw. / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(14)
Effect of aqueous extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaves against paracetamol and carbon tetrachloride-induced liver toxicity in rats. / Ismail NA, Shamsahal-Din NS, Mamat SS, Zabidi Z, Wan Zainulddin WN, Kamisan FH, Yahya F, Mohtarrudin N, Mohd-Desa MN1, Zakaria ZA / Pak J Pharm Sci. 2014 Jul;27(4):831-5.
(15)
Chemopreventive potential of methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis leaf on DMBA/croton oil-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis / R. Rodzi, Y. L Cheah, K. K. Ooi, F. Othman, N. Mohtarrudin, S. F. Tohid, Z. Suhaili and Z. A. Zakaria* / African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, vol 7(35), pp 2484-2498, Sept 2013 / DOI: 10.5897/AJPP2013.3575
(16)
Antimicrobial Studies and Identification of Cellular Components of Dicranopteris Linearis from Tirumala Hills
/ P. Suvarnalatha Devi, K.Rukmini, Vulasi Indrani, M. Nagalakshmi Devamma / International Journal of Pharma Research & Review, August 2015; 4(8): pp 13-17
(17)
Comparative assessment of phytochemicals and HPLC analyses of phenolics present in Dicranopteris linearis (N. Burm.) Underw and Pteris vittata L. / Nishika Jaishee, Usha Chakraborty* / International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Science Research 2015; 5(1): 1-7
(18)
Gastroprotective effects of Dicranopteris linearis leaf extract against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats / Jamal Hussaini, Nurul Asyikin Othman, Mahmood Ameen Abdulla, Nazia Abdul Majid, Halabi Mohd Faroq and Salmah Ismail / Scientific Research and Essays, 2012; 7(18): pp 1761-1767 / DOI: 10.5897/SRE11.775
(19)
Cytotoxicity activities of Dicranopteris linearis extracts and fractions / N Mat Desa, K Ramasamy, N Ahmat, Z Zakaria / Planta Med 2011; 77 - PM37 / DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282795
(20)
Polyphenols rich fraction of Dicranopteris linearis promotes fibroblast cell migration and proliferation in vitro.
/ Ponnusamy, Yasodha; Chear, Nelson Jeng-Yeou; Ramanathan, Surash; Lai, Choon-Sheen / Journal Journal of ethnopharmacology / Published online 2015-04-07
(21)
Dicranopteris linearis / Wikipedia
(22)
Methanol extract of Dicranopteris linearis L. leaves impedes acetaminophen-induced liver intoxication partly by enhancing the endogenous antioxidant system / Zainul Amiruddin Zakaria, Farah Hidayah Kamisan, Muhammad Nazrul Hakim Abdullah et al /  BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 2017; 17: Article No 271 / DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1781-5
(23)
Dicranopteris linearis (PROTA) / Pl@ntUse
(24)
Antibacterial, antibiofilm and antibiotic-potentiating effects of a polyphenol-rich fraction of Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.f.) Underw. /  Choon-Sheen Lai, Yasodha Ponnusamy, Gaik-Ling Lim, Surash Ramanathan / Journal of Herbal Medicine, 2021; Vol 25: 100419 / DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2020.100419
(25)
Serotonergic and noradrenergic response of ethanol extract; opioidergic response of ethyl acetate extract of Dicranopteris linearis L. leaf / Mohammad Mustakim Billah, Ayreen Sonia Choudhury et al / Clinical Phytoscience, 2021; 7: Article No 25 / DOI: 10.1186/s40816-021-00262-8
(26)
Lack of antimicrobial activities of Dicranopteris linearis extracts and fractions / Z A Zakaria, A Mat Desa, M R Sulaiman et al / Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research, Vol 2016
(27)
GABA mediated response of aqueous, ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Dicranopteris linearis leaf in Swiss Albino mice / Mohammad Mustakim Billah, Kashfia Nawrin, Kh Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammed Sahek Ullah Jabed et al / JHP: Journal of Herbmed Pharmacology, 2016; 5: pp 1-6 / eISSN: 2345-5004
(28)
Identification of α-tocopherol as a bioactive component of Dicranopteris linearis with disrupting property against preformed biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus / C I Mawang, Y Y Lim, K S Ong, A Muhamad, S M Lee / Journal of Applied Microbiology, 2017; 123: pp 1148-1159 / DOI: 10.1111/jam.13578 / ISSN: 1364-5072
(29)
Rare earth elements detoxification mechanism in the hyperaccumulator Dicranopteris linearis: [silicon-pectin] matrix fixation / Hong-Xiang Zheng, Yu-Lu Yang, Wenb-Shen Liu, Ye-Tao Tang et al / Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2023; Vol 452, Article No 131254
(30)
GC- MS analysis of secondary metabolites from acetone and chloroform extract of Dicranopteris linearis (burm. F.) Underw. / Vijayakumari J, Raj T Leon Stephan / International Journal of Biological Sciences, 2019; 8(9): pp 39-43 / eISSN: 2278-3202




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