Plant Part Used
Leaves
Introduction
Ardisia elliptica is a tropical shrub that can reach heights of up to 8 meters. The plants are characterized by a single stem, producing short, perpendicular branches. The leafstalks are 6-8 mm long and reddish in color. The umbellate flowering develop in the leaf axils of branch leaves. The petals are light pink. The fruits are drupes that first turn red as they mature and then turn to a shining black. (1) Native areas for Ardisia elliptica have been listed as Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, The Philipphines, China, Taiwan, and the Pacific Islands. The species is usually found throughout Malaysia. The Malay use the young leaves as vegetables. (2)
Dosage Info
Dosage Range
No dosage information is available but this folk medicine is traditionally administered as a water-decoction of the leaves.
Most Common Dosage
No dosage information is available but this folk medicine is traditionally administered as a water-decoction of the leaves.
Standardization
There has not been any standard marker reported. Other standard profiles were documented in the Malaysian Herbal Monograph. (3)
Pharmacology
A methanol extract of the leaves of A. elliptica (200 mg/ml) showed a 54% inhibition rate on the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding in vitro when compared to pinolide (IC50=2.56×10-7M). (4) Inhibition of specific PAF binding receptors could reduce phatophysiological conditions such as inflammation, bronchoconstriction, and allergic skin reactions.
Reported Uses
The plant is traditionally used for the treatment of pain in the heart (5) ,as an anti-dandruff, and for earaches. (6)
Read More
1) Safety
References
- Malaysian Monograph Committee. Malaysian Herbal Monograph vol II. The Malaysian Ministry Of Health. Kuala Lumpur. 2003.
- Burkill IH. A dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula. London: Crown Agents; 1935.
- Malaysian Monograph Committee. Malaysian Herbal Monograph vol II. The Malaysian Ministry Of Health. Kuala Lumpur. 2003.
- Ibrahim J, Young-Hwa K, Dae-Yeon S, Byung HH. Inhibitory effects of Malaysian medicinal plants on the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding. Natural Product Sciences. 1996;2(2):86-89.
- Burkill IH. A dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula. London: Crown Agents; 1935.
- Ibrahim J, Young-Hwa K, Dae-Yeon S, Byung HH. Inhibitory effects of Malaysian medicinal plants on the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor binding. Natural Product Sciences. 1996;2(2):86-89.
