Kingdom: Plantae

Sub kingdom: -

Superdivision: -

Division: Streptophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Malpighiales

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Genus: Excoecaria

Species: Excoecaria cochinchinensis

•  Based on previous studies, Excoecaria cochinchinensis possesses anti-parasitic, antipruritic, haemostatic, antimicrobial, uteretonic, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-acne, uterotonic, aldose reductase inhibitory, anti-inflammatory, haemostatic properties.

• The sap of E. cochinchinensis is toxic and can potentially cause eczema.

• E. cochinchinensis is native to Southeast China, Japan, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. In China, it is distributed throughout the province of Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan and other southern regions of the country. It grows as an understorey plant in forests and thickets, typically found at elevation up to 1,500 meters.

•  Previous studies on the stems and roots of Excoecaria cochinchinensis identified shikimic acid, 1-cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid-5-hydroxy-3,4-isopropylidene-dioxy,
  oxy-bis(5-methylene-2-furaldehyde), beta-sitosterol, tetracosanoic acid, stearic acid, and hentriacontane.

•  An ethyl acetate extract of the leaves revealed two flavonols: kaempferol 7-O-glycoside and kaempferol. Further study of the leaves isolated excoecariosides A and B, along with seven known compounds.

•  Phytochemical analysis showed ethanolic and water extracts contain tannin and phenolic compounds.

Industrial Uses:

• Often used as an indoor ornamental plant

•  Used as landscapes for parks, gardens, among others

Pharmaceutical Uses:

• Decoction of the leaves is used to treat dysentery in Indonesia. While in India, decoction of leaves is used to treat epilepsy.

•  The roots are also employed for postpartum hemorrhage; however, a decoction of the roots is considered abortifacient.

•  Additionally, it is used to address itching, furuncles, and allergies.

• All parts of the plant are employed in the treatment of measles, parotitis, tonsillitis, and lumbar muscle strain.

•  The leaves with a blood red color under them are used as a topical agent to control bleeding.

Pharmacological Uses:

•  Previous studies have demonstrated that ethanolic and water extracts of E. cochinchinensis are effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Propionibacterium acnes, with the water extract showing exceptional activity against clindamycin-resistant S. aureus.

• Research on mice revealed that both water and ethanol extracts from E. cochinchinensis had significant anti-inflammatory effects in acute and chronic inflammation models of mouse paw edema induced by cotton ball granuloma and carrageenan.

•  Aldose reductase, a key enzyme in the polyol pathway implicated in cataract formation, was significantly inhibited by the aerial parts of E. cochinchinensis.

•  E. cochinchinensis has been found to display potent cell-line selective toxicity after it has been tested for in vitro cytotoxicity in cultured human lung, colon, and stomach cancer cells.