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Family Polygonaceae
Sea grape
Coccoloba uvifera Linn.

PLATTER LEAF

Scientific names Common names
Coccoloba uvifera Linn. Baygrape (Engl.)
Coccolobis uvifera (L.) Crantz Common sea grape (Engl.)
Guaiabara uvifera (L.) House Jamaican kino (Engl.)
Polygonum uvifera L. Platterleaf (Engl.)
  Sea grape (Engl.)
  Seaside grape (Engl.)
  Shore-grape (Engl.)
Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L. is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
DUTCH: Stranddruif, Gewone zeedruif.
FRENCH: Cipo Branco De Pernambuco, Kino, Raisin Marine, Raisinier, Raisinier Bord De Mer.
GERMAN: Gemeine seestraube, Meertraubenbaum, Strandtraube, Gewöhnliche Meertraube.
HAITIAN: Rezen bodme.
HUNGARIAN: Tengeriszolo.
POLISH: Kokkoloba gronowa.
PORTUGUESE: Cocoloba, Uva-da-praia, Uva-do-mar.
SPANISH: Uva caleta, Uva de playa comun, Uvero, Uvero de playa, Papalon, Papaturro.
SURINAM: Droifi, Druif, Sistridroifi, Zeedruif.
THAI: Khrut thale.
VIETNAMESE: Nho bien.



Gen info
- In 1696 the first botanical names were assigned for the plant: Prunus maritima racemosa, "maritime grape-cluster Prunus" by Hans Sloane, and Uvifera littorea, "grape-bearer of the shore", both names reflecting the European idea of "sea-grape". In 1753, Linnaeus assigned the plant to Polygonum uvifera, and finally in 1762 reassigned to Coccoloba uvifera by Patrick Brown. (21)
- The genus name Coccoloba derives from the Greek word kokkolobis, a kind of grape, literally, "berry pod".
The specific epithet uvifera derives from Latin, meaning 'fruiting in clusters, resembling grapes'.

Botany
Sea grape is a sprawling bush or small tree, growing to a maximum height of 8 meters. Bark is smooth and yellowish. Leaves are alternate, short-petioled, large, leathery, glossy, dark green, broadly bean-shaped, with wavy margins, up to 15 centimeters long, with a reddish-colored primary vein extending from the base. Flowers are in terminal racemes, small, white and slightly fragrant, with five petals and eight stamens. Fruits are pear-shaped, reddish purple and green-dotted, 1.5 centimeters long, with a single hard seed, clustered in pendulous branches.

Distribution
- Introduced to the Philippines in the 1940s.
- Salt tolerant, planted near beaches edges.
- Ornamental distribution in parks and gardens.
- In Hawaii, planted as a seashore windbreaker.
- Native to the Florida, Bahamas, West Indies, South America and Mexico.

Constituents
- Methanolic extract of seeds yielded flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols, and tannins.
- Bark of stem, branches, and roots are rich in tannins.
- Nutrient composition of fruit (g/100g) showed a fat content of 1.82 ± 0.27 g, crude fiber 3.34 g ± 0.46 g/100g, carbohydrates 86.59 ± 0.59 g/100g. (see study below) (8)
- Phytochemical screening of hydroalcoholic extract of roots yielded alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins. Leaves showed total phenols of 247.78±9.6 mg GA/g, tannins 231.80±13 mg GA/g, and flavonoids 58±4.1 mg R/g. (see study below) (14)
- Shade-dried leaves of C. uvifera yielded emodin, chrysophanol, physcion, rhein, royleanone, α-amyrin and ß-sitosterol. (15)
- LCMS/MS analysis of methanolic extract of fruits yielded cyanidine, delphinidine, malvidin, and petunidin. (see study below) (16)

Properties
- Astringent, antidiarrheal, antidysentery.
- Studies suggest antibacterial, antifungal, photoprotective, glucose lowering, antimutagenic, antiproliferative, antioxidant, anticholinesterase properties.

Parts utilized
Leaves, bark, roots, fruit.

Uses
Edibility
- Fruit is edible, eaten off the tree or made into jams, jellies and wine.
- Flowers yield abundant nectar, the honey of good quality, light amber in color, and spicy.
- Leaves used for brewing tea.

Folkloric
- No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
- In other countries, juice and decoction of wood, bark and roots are used to treat dysentery, hemorrhages, venereal disease.
- Applied externally for rashes and skin afflictions.
- Leaf decoction drunk to lower blood sugar.
- Decoction of leaves used to treat asthma, hoarseness and to wash wounds.
- Astringent roots and bark used in traditional medicine of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.
- In the Dominican Republic, decoction of leaves used for menopausal symptoms, diarrhea, tumors, anemia, skin irritations, asthma. (7)
- In the Yucatan, alcohol added to tea made from bark of sea grape is taken for ulcers. (9)
- In French Guiana, astringent juice from whole plant, known as "Jamaica kino", used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Decoction of stem used for intestinal disorders. Stems of Anacardium occidentale mixed with barks of Coccoloba uvifera, Mangifera indica, and Cocos nucifera for curing dysentery. (10)
Others
- Dye: Cut bark yields an astringent red sap, once used for tanning and dyeing.
- Fuel: Wood is used for charcoal and firewood.

- Furniture: Used in turning, inlay work, and cabinetry.
- Agroforestry: Used as dune stabilizer and protective habitat for small animals.

Studies
Phytochemical: Studies show the chemical composition of Coccoloba uvifera as: α-Amyrin (antitumor, cytotoxic), chrysophanol (antiseptic, bactericidal, cathartic, hemostat, purgative), emodin (anti-aggregant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiulcer, immunosuppressive, viricide), physcion (antiseptic, cathartic, purgative), rhein (anticarcinomic, antitumor, fungicide), royleanone, beta-sitosterol (hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic, hepatoprotective).
Glucose Lowering: Case studies have shown glucose lowering effect with daily ingestion of tea brewed from Coccoloba uvifera leaves. There is concern for lowering the blood sugar too much, especially with concurrent use of pharmaceutical hypoglycemics.
Preparation of Leaf Extract: Preparation of leaf extract is done by immersing coccoloba uvifera leaves in water, heating the water to boiling for about 4 hours. This brewing time must be just enough to dissolve the compound from the leaves. The active compounds are resistant to the low gastric pH and high temperatures.
• The preferred embodiment is a ratio of 4 green leaves to every 3.8 liters of water.
• Alternatively, leaf extract can be done by drying the c. uvifera leaves and dehydrating the pulp into a tea. In a preferred embodiment, 15 cc of the tea is dissolved in 3.8 liters of water before ingestion.
• Other forms of delivery may be through tablets, capsules, powders, seasoning.
• A distinct advantage of the leaf extract is its oral route and its resistance to the digestive processes of the stomach. (Patent Storm/Site no longer in operation) (2)
Photoprotective / UV-Stimulated Melanocytes / Antioxidant: Study evaluated the potential photoprotective effects of Coccoloba uvifera extract in UV-stimulated melanocytes. Results showed antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities, and also inhibited the production of interleukin-1a and TNF-α and α--MSH in melanocytes subjected to UV radiation.
(3)
Antibacterial / Antifungal / Phytochemicals: Study yielded flavonoids, saponins, polyphenols and tannins. Ethanolic and methanol extracts inhibited the growth of E coli and P aeruginosa and showed antifungal activity against C albicans, Fusarium oxysporum and F. decencellulare.
Seed Constituents with Biologic Activity / Antimicrobial: A partition with EtOAc of the methanolic extract yielded a brown precipitate that inhibited growth of E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and showed antifungal activity against C. albicans, Fusarium oxysporum and F. decencellulare. Further fractionated, the solid yielded a tannic compound (gallic acid), an organic acid (hexenedioic acid) and a benzopyran (1,3,4,6,7,8–hexahydro-4,6,6,8,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-2-benzopyran) from the bioactive fractions. (4)
Antioxidant / Fruit: Study evaluated the fruit of Coccoloba uvifera for in vitro antioxidant capacity using various assays (DPPH and TEAC). Results showed free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties which may be due to the presence of phytochemicals in the fruit such as anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. Total flavonoid fruit content was comparable to apple (7.0 mg/100g), black currant (6.8 mg/100 g) and elderberry (10.5 mg GAE/100g). (8)
• Antioxidant / Leaves: In a study of 110 crude ethanol and water extracts from 52 plant species, Coccoloba uvifera leaves was one of five that showed effective DPPH radical scavenging activity with EC50 of 3.08 ± 1.01 µg/mL. (13)
• Antidiabetic / Antioxidant / Leaves: Study evaluated hydroalcoholic extracts of Coccoloba uvifera leaves and Waltheria indica roots for antioxidant properties and hypoglycemic activity. Results showed both plant extracts induced significant reduction of hyperglycemia. The extracts also exhibited inhibition of erythrocyte hemolysis induced by AAPH in a dose dependent manner and antioxidant activity comparable to that of reference drug BTH (Butylated Hydroxy Toluene). (14)
• Anti-Inflammatory / Antioxidant / Berries: Crude sea grape berry extracts exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in vitro at a concentration of 250 µg/ml. Crude methanolic extract showed COX-2 selectivity similar to standard Vioxx. Lipid peroxidation inhibition of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts were 80%, 45%, and 77%, respectively. The antioxidant activities of the three extracts were comparable to commercially available antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and tert-butylhydroquinone. (see constituents above) (16)
• Antimutagenic / Antiproliferative / Antioxidant / Leaves: Study evaluated the biological potential of 11 fractions from Coccoloba uvifera leaf hexane extract using invitro tests. Fractions 4, 6, 8, and 9 showed antimutagenic activity against sodium azide strain TA 100. Fraction 11 showed antiproliferative activity with IC50 of 24 ± 9 µg/mL in HCT 116 cells. Fractions with highest activity were analyzed by HPLC-MS and yielded lupeol, acacetin, and ß-sitosterol. (17)
• Antimutagenic / Antiproliferative / Encapsulated Extract: Study evaluated the antimutagenic and antiproliferative properties of C. uvifera extract encapsulated in nanofibers made with biopolymers gelatin (G)/high grade polymerization agave fructans (HDPAF). The extract did not show a mutagenic effect on Ames test. The MTT assay showed antiproliferative effect at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/mL of extract. Results suggest the extract loaded in nanofibers conserves its antimutagenic and antiproliferative properties. (18)
• Wood Bio-Fungicidal / Antibacterial / Leaves: Study evaluated various leaf extract for antibacterial and antifungal activities. HPLC analysis identified phenolic and flavonoid compounds in the extracts. Phenolic compounds benzoic, ellagic, gallic, and o-coumaric acids were main compounds in ethanol, acetone and aqueous extracts. Flavonoids rutin, myricetin and quercetin were identified in the extracts. Results suggest the extracts can be used as environmentally friendly bioagents. (19)
• Anticholinesterase Activity / Leaves: Study evaluated the anti-cholinesterase activity of three Malaysian plant methanol leaf extracts in vitro (Coccoloba uvifera stems, Mimusops elengi leaves, Syzygium aquem leaves).  All the plants showed good anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities in vitro, with IC50s ranging from 3.67-16.04 and 5.6-13.95 µg/mL, respectively. (20)

Availability
- Wildcrafted.

- Seeds in the cybermarket.


Updated March 2023 /July 2020 / October 2017 / October 2015

                                                 PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
Photos ©Godofredo Stuart / StuartXchange
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Fruits / File:Uva de playa (Coccoloba uvifera).jpg / Wilfredo Rodriguez / 2008 / Public Domain / Wikipedia
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Seeds / Coccoloba uvifera (L.) L. - seagrape COUV / Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Cesiak
(2)
Method of controlling blood sugar levels using Coccoloba uvifer / Patent Storm
(3)
Effects of Coccoloba uvifera L. on UV-stimulated melanocytes / Jessica Eleonora Pedroso Sanches Silveira et al / Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine. Volume 24 Issue 6: pp 308 - 313 / 10.1111/j.1600-0781.2008.00382.x About DOI
(4)
Three constituents with biological activity from Coccoloba uvifera seeds / Shailili Moreno Morales*, Oscar Crescente Vallejo, William Henríquez Guzmán, Gustavo Liendo Polanco and Hernando Herrera Mata / Ciencia vol.16 no.1 Maracaibo Mar. 2008
(5)
Coccoloba uvifera (Sea Grape)
/ Common names / Zipcodezoo
(6)
Coccoloba uvifera / Sea grape, Uva de playa / John A. Parrotta . SO-ITF-SM-74, Sept 1994 / USDA Forest Service
(7)
Uve de playa / Coccoloba uvifera / Dominican Medicinal Plant Inventory
(8)
Coccoloba uvifera (L.) (Polygonaceae) Fruit: Phytochemical Screening and Potential Antioxidant Activity /
Maira Rubi Segura Campos, Jorge Ruiz Ruiz, Luis Chel-Guerrero, and David Betancur Ancona / Hindaw Journal of Chemistry, Vol 2015, Article ID 534954 / https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/534954
(9)
Maya Medicine: Traditional Healing in Yucatan / Marianna Appel Kunow
(10)
Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Surinam, French Guiana) / botany.si.edu
(11)
Experiments on the Bark of the Coccoloba uvifera / by John Bostock, MD / Journal ListMed Chir Transv.3; 1812PMC2128913 / Medico-Chirurgical Transactions
(12)
Coccoloba uvifera / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(13)
Studies of the in vitro cytotoxic, antioxidant, lipase inhibitory and antimicrobial activities of selected Thai medicinal plants / Chutima Kaewpiboon,  Kriengsak Lirdprapamongkol, Chantragan Srisomsap, Pakorn Winayanuwattikun, Tikamporn Yongvanich,  Preecha Puwaprisirisan, Jisnuson Svasti, and  Wanchai Assavalapsakul / BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012; 12: 217 / doi:  10.1186/1472-6882-12-217
(14)
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIOXIDANT AND HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF COCCOLOBA UVIFERA LEAVES AND WALTHERIA INDICA ROOTS EXTRACTS / LAWSON-EVI POVI, BAKOMA BATOMAYENA, TITRIKOU AFI HODÉ, EKLU-GADEGBÉKU KWASHIE, AKLIKOKOU KODJO, GBEASSOR MESSANVI / International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015; 7(5)
(15)
Constituents of Coccoloba uvifera leaves. / Malathi, S., Masilamani, P., Balasubramanian, V., Rao, R. B., Brindha, P. / Fitoterapia, 1995; 66(3): pp 277
(16)
Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of Coccoloba uvifera (Seagrapes) / Candace Bailey, Keisha R. Christian, Shreedu Pradhan, Muraleedharan G. Nair, and Omar E. Christian / Current Topics in Phytochemistry, 2011; Vol 10
(17)
Antimutagenic, Antiproliferative and Antioxidant Properties of Sea Grape Leaf Extract Fractions (Coccoloba uvifera L.) / Ramos-Hernandez, Jorge A; Calderon-Santoyo, Montserrat; Burgos-Hernandez, Armando; Garcia-Romo, Joel S et al / Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2021; 21(16): pp 2250-2257 / DOI: 10.2174/18715206219992101104201242
(18)
Antimutagenic and Antiproliferative Activity of the Coccoloba uvifera L. Extract Loaded in Nanofibers of Gelatin/Agave Fructans Elaborated by Electrospinning / Cruz-Salas, Carla N; Prieto, Cristina; Calderon-Santoyo, Montserrat et al / Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry, 2022; 22(15): pp 2788-2798 /
DOI: 10.2174/1871520622666220316161957
(19)
Eco-friendly Wood-biofungicidal and Antibacterial Activities of Various Coccoloba uvifera L. Leaf Extracts: HPLC Analysis of Phenolic and Flavonoid Compounds / Nader A Ashmawy, Mohamed Z M Salem, Said I Behiry et al / BioResources, 15(2): pp 4165-4187
(20)
In vitro anti-cholinesterase activity and in vivo screening of Coccoloba uvifera, Mimusops elengi and Syzygium aqueum extracts on learning and memory function of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rat / Kesevan Rajah Kumaran , Habibah Abdul Wahab, Zurina Hassan /  Neuroscience Research Notes, 2021; 4(2) / DOI: 10.31117/neuroscirn.v4i2.71
(21)
Sea grape (Coccoloba uvifera) / iNaturalist


   


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