Kingdom: Plantae

Sub kingdom: Tracheobionta

Superdivision: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Class: Liliopsida

Subclass: Liliidae

Order: Asparagales

Family: Asparagaceae

Genus: Dracaena

Species: Dracaena surculosa

• Dracaena surculosa resulted in the isolation of nine steroidal saponins, including three new bisdesmosidic spirostanol saponins, named surculosides A (1), B (2), and C (3), and a new bisdesmosidic furostanol saponin (4), which are based on (25S)-spirost-5-ene-1beta, 3beta-diol [(25S)-ruscogenin] as the aglycon. The structures of 1-4 were determined by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D NMR spectroscopic data, and the results of hydrolytic cleavage. The isolated saponins were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells.

• Recently introduced to the Philippines.

• Native to Congo.

• Saponins

• Flavonoids

• Tannins

• Steroids

• Triterpenoids

• Alkaloids

Industrial Uses:

- No known medicinal folkloric use in the Philippines.

- Dracaena produces a bright red resin - dragon's blood - used medicinally in ancient times.

- In Sierra Leone, used to increase fitness and physical strength in children. Decoction of boiled leaves used to bathe a child twice a day. About 50 cc of the decoction sometimes drunk concurrently.

Pharmaceutical Uses:

- The root is used in the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous parasitic infections

- The root is used as a genital stimulants/depressant

- The plant (part not specified) is abortifacient and ecbolic

- The leaf sap and the root are used in the treatment of malnutrition and debility

- The leaf-sap is used to treat paralysis, epilepsy, convulsions and spasms

Pharmacological Uses:

Dracaena surcolosa has antimicrobial (inhibiting bacteria and fungi), antioxidant (neutralizing free radicals to prevent chronic diseases), anti-inflammatory (reducing inflammation), anticancer (inhibiting cancer cell growth), analgesic (pain relief), and immunomodulatory (regulating the immune system).