Gen info
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Exocarpus latifolius is a species of parasitic tree in the family Santalaceae.
- Etymology: The genus name Exocarpus derives from Latin, meaning "outer", referring to the seed found on the outside of the fruit. The specific epithet latifolius means "broad-leaved" and derives from Latin words latus meaning "wide", and folium, meaning "leaf".
Botany
• Semi-parasitic shrub or small tree, up to 10(—20) m tall, stem up to 0.5 m in diameter. Leaves alternate; petiole 2—14 mm long; blade broadly ovate, elliptical or obovate, up to 14 cm x 8.5 cm, obtuse. Inflorescence a green spike, up to 5 cm long, often clustered or branched; tepals 5, up to 1 mm long, green, persistent. Fruit an ellipsoid drupe, 6—9 mm x 6—9 mm, scurfy, yellowish to reddish, on an obovoid, bright red fruiting receptacle 4—8 mm x 10 mm. Seed globose, 5—8 mm in diameter. (2)
 • A small tree (or large shrub) growing to 10 meters tall, hemiparasitic on the roots of other trees. Leaves are approximately as broad as long, around 4 cm long. Flowers are produced in slender spikes mostly approximately 1 cm long. Fruit is a globular nut on a short stalk. As it ripens the stalk swells and turns red, like an inside out cherry. The fruit is 4–6 mm long and is inedible. (4)
Distribution
- Native to the Philippines. (1)
- In lowland dry thickets and forests. In Basilan, Bohol, Cebu, Culion, Danjugan, Homonhon, Hundred Islands, Jolo; Luzon: Albay, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan, Zambales; Mindanao: Davao Oriental, Palawan, Sibutu, Tamlangon.
(9)
- Also native to
Borneo, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Maluku, New Guinea, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Philippines, Queensland, Sulawesi, Western Australia. (1)
- In monsoon forest, littoral rainforest and occasionally in more open forest types in Malesia and across Northern Australia. (4)
Constituents
- Bioactivity-guided fractionation of lipophilic fractions of stem extracts yielded exocarpic acid (E-octadeca-13-ene-9,11-diynoic-acid) as major active component. Several new exocarpic acid analogs were also shown to be active. (see study below) (5)
- Study of crude extract of E. latifolius showed high TPC of E. latifolius extract of 46.66 GAE/g extract.
(see study below) (6)
- GC-MS study for essential oil through prior steam distillation revealed 32 compounds representing 99.94% pf essential oil, with six major peaks. The six dominant compounds were Benzeneethanamine, alpha-methyl-N-(phenyl methylene) 34.37%, Alpha-curcumen (14.05%), Tridecane, 2-methyl-2-phenyl (11.2%), Alpha-calacorene (6.40 %), Levomethamphetamine (4.46%), Benzene, (1-1-dimethyl-nonyl) (4.11%).
(7)
Properties
- Studies have suggested anti-mycobacterial, antioxidant properties.
Parts used
Leaves, bark, seeds, fruit.
Uses
Edibility
- Receptable, fruit and seed are reported to be edible; sometimes chewed with betel leaves because of the red color. Aboriginals in Australia consider all parts of the plant toxic. (3)
- Succulent fruit is sweet and palatable when ripe; astringent unripe.
- Note: Conflicting information on edibility. The fruit has been reported as inedible, while the stalk is edible and used by Aboriginal Australians as traditional food source. The 1889 book "The Useful Native Plants of Australia" mentioned "the fruit is edible." (4)
Folkloric
- No reported folkloric medicinal use in the Philippines.
- In Australia, infusion of bark and seeds used as contraceptive. (3)
- Seeds, leaves, bark and wood used medicinally by Australian aborigines. (3)
Others
- Wood: Whitish to pale reddish-brown, heavy, hard, strong, and durable. Takes an excellent polish; used for cabinet work when sufficient dimensions are available. However, it is usually available only in small crooked dimensions, suitable for small utensils and handles. (3)
- Fragrance: An inferior substitute for sandalwood, losing its fragrance rapidly. (3)
- Repellent: Used by Aboriginal Australians as repellent: leaves are burned to repel insects. (3)
Studies
• Antimycobacterial / Exocarpic Acid / Stem: Bioactivity-guided fractionation of lipophilic fractions of stem extracts yielded exocarpic acid (E-octadeca-13-ene-9,11-diynoic-acid) as major active component. Several new exocarpic acid analogs were also shown to be active. Exocarpic acid has previously been reported to be active against gram(+) bacteria. Study showed selective activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. (5)
• Antioxidant / Stems: Study evaluated crude extracts of five medicinal plants (Exocarpos latifolius, Breynia oblongifolia, Cajanus reticulatus, Dodonaea lanceolata, and Coleus amoenus) used by the Mbabaram Aboriginal community for treatment of wounds and inflammation-related diseases. The crude water and ethanol extracts of E. latifolius stem and bark showed best antioxidant activity with EC50 of 0.024 -- 11.21 µg/mL using DPPH assay. Result is consistent with high TPC of E. latifolius extract of 46.66 GAE/g extract. (6)
• Exocarpic Acid / Inhibition of Mycolic Acid Biosynthesis in M. tuberculosis: Exocarpic acid was previously shown to have specific antimycobacterial activity. Microarray data suggested inhibition of fatty acid metabolism as a potential mechanism of action. Study designed to elucidate the mechanism of action showed exocarpic acid was effective at inhibition of mycolic acid biosynthesis. Amide derivatives of exocarpic acid also exhibited similar properties to exocarpic acid, while other polyacdetylenic fatty acids showed varied effects of mycolic acid biosynthesis. (8)
Availability
- Wild-crafted.
- Seed oil in the cybermarket.
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