Aeginetia indica (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
- Protologue: Sp. pl. 2: 632 (1753).
- Family: Orobanchaceae
- Chromosome number: n= 15
Synonyms
Aeginetia pedunculata auct. non (Roxb.) Wallich.
Vernacular names
- Indonesia: rajatawa (Javanese)
- Philippines: dapong-tubo (Tagalog), suako-ti-uak (Iloko), lapo (Ibanag)
- Thailand: so-suai (Karen, Mae Hong Son), dok din daeng (Trat), paak cha khe (north-eastern)
- Vietnam: lệ duương, tai dất.
Origin and geographic distribution
A. indica occurs throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to China and Japan, and throughout South-East Asia, but its distribution is poorly known. In Malesia, it is recorded from Java and the Philippines; possibly also in Peninsular Malaysia and New Guinea.
Uses
In the Philippines an infusion of A. indica is used internally against diabetes, and a decoction to treat fluid accumulations due to acute nephritis. In Vietnam and Thailand, A. indica is also applied to treat diabetes, and in Taiwan against hepatitis and other liver diseases.
Properties
Aeginetic acid, the monoterpenoid lactone aeginetolide, 3 polyene compounds and-sitosterol were identified in an ethanolic extract of the whole plant, and the glycosides hydroxy--ionone glucoside, aeginetoside and the iridoid isoaucubin were identified in an n-butanol extract.
The extract from seeds induced potent antitumour immunity against fibrosarcomas in mice. It was demonstrated that the extract contained polysaccharides and proteins. The polysaccharides induced B cell mitogenic and thymocyte co-stimulatory effects in vitro, whereas the proteins mediated antitumour activity in vivo. In-vitro activities of the extract on the induction of cytokine production and lymphocyte proliferation have been recorded; these might contribute to the in-vivo antitumour effect. Antihepatotoxic activity has also been recorded for A. indica .
Botany
A slightly fleshy parasitic herb up to 40 cm tall, somewhat reddish; stem subterranean or scarcely emergent above the ground, with few scale-like leaves. Flowers on long pedicels up to 30 cm long from the axils of scales, bisexual, zygomorphic; calyx spathe-like, split in front nearly to the base, 2-3 cm long; corolla gamopetalous, 3-5 cm long, with elongate, curved tube, limb obscurely 2-lipped having 5 subequal lobes, pinkish-purple; stamens 4, inserted on the corolla tube, included; ovary superior, 1-celled, style slender with large peltate stigma. Fruit an ovoid to globose capsule, many-seeded. Seeds very small, brownish.
The seeds germinate slowly and show distinct dormancy.
Aeginetia is a small genus of approximately 6-10 species and is distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, from India and Sri Lanka to Japan and New Guinea. A. indica has probably often been confused with A. pedunculata (Roxb.) Wallich, which usually has shorter pedicels and larger whitish or yellowish flowers with purplish or bluish corolla lobes.
Ecology
A. indica is parasitic on the roots of grasses, and occurs mainly in grassland, but sometimes also in forest. Imperata and rice ( Oryza sativa L.) are common hosts in Java, Miscanthus in Taiwan and Japan. However, several other hosts have been mentioned, e.g. millet ( Panicum miliaceum L.), maize ( Zea mays L.), but also Carex , Luzula , Zingiber and Canna spp. A. indica can be a destructive parasite in rice, and sometimes in other crops as well.
Genetic resources
A. indica has an extremely large area of distribution and occurs in anthropogenic habitats. It is not threatened by genetic erosion.
Prospects
The antitumour activity of A. indica found in tests with mice warrants more research concerning the active compounds and to establish the value in human cancer treatment. The findings show that proteins are present that may be useful immunotherapeutic agents for patients with malignant diseases. The reported activity against diabetes should also be investigated. A thorough taxonomic revision of Aeginetia is needed.
Literature
129, 130, 131, 231, 694, 697, 760.
Other selected sources
62, 121, 182, 334, 544.
Main genus page
Authors
R.H.M.J. Lemmens
