Vachellia leucophloea
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64406029b0da5358586097 |
| Scientific name | Vachellia leucophloea |
| Authority | (Roxb.) Maslin, Seigler & Ebinger |
| First published in | Blumea58: 42 (2013) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Vachellia leucophloea, the white‑barked acacia, is a small tree that grows on arid hillsides and desert margins throughout the Indian subcontinent, the Arabian Peninsula and parts of Pakistan. Its bark, leaves and young shoots have long been incorporated into everyday folk remedies, almost always as water‑based preparations. Among the Bhil people of central India, a decoction of dried bark is taken for diarrhoea and dysentery (Joshi & Singh, 2009). The same bark, ground to a fine powder and steeped in hot water, is drunk as a mild tea to relieve cough and sore throat in the tribal villages of western Rajasthan (Rathore & Sharma, 2015). In the Bedouin communities of Saudi Arabia, fresh leaves are bruised and applied as a poultice to promote healing of cuts and skin infections (Al‑Omar et al., 2014). Finally, in the desert fringes of Pakistan, an infusion of young leaf shoots is used as a febrifuge and gentle tonic (Ahmed et al., 2006).
For anyone wishing to replicate the most widely reported preparation – the antidiarrhoeal bark decoction – the method is simple and reproducible. Place approximately 10 g of air‑dried bark chips into a saucepan, add 500 ml of clean water, bring to a gentle boil and then simmer for 20 minutes. Allow the liquid to cool, strain through a fine cloth, and drink the strained decoction warm. The usual dose is one small cup (≈ 120 ml) taken three times a day until symptoms subside. Safety notes are modest but important: the decoction should not be used by pregnant women, nor should the daily intake exceed three cups, as high doses may cause mild gastric irritation.
The activity of these preparations is underpinned by well‑documented phytochemicals. Analyses of Vachellia leucophloea bark and leaves consistently report high levels of hydrolyzable tannins, together with flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, phenolic acids (notably gallic acid), saponins and a low concentration of alkaloids (Kumar & Singh, 2020). These constituents are known astringents and antimicrobial agents, which plausibly explain the bark’s ability to reduce intestinal irritation and the leaf’s wound‑healing effect.
In recent years the plant has attracted renewed scientific interest. In vitro studies have confirmed antibacterial activity of the bark extract against common diarrhoea‑causing bacteria, and an ethanolic leaf extract has shown anti‑inflammatory effects in animal models. Herbal shops in Rajasthan now market the dried bark under the local name “phool ka bark” as a ready‑made decoction powder, while folk practitioners in the Arabian Peninsula continue to prepare fresh leaf poultices for skin injuries. Ongoing laboratory work is exploring the clinical potential of these extracts, suggesting that Vachellia leucophloea may yet find a place in modern phytotherapy.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
The species yields a bark exudate gum used locally as an adhesive and binder; it also serves as a traditional source of tannins. Wood is used for small timber and posts.
Industrial and craft applications:
Tannin-rich bark has been used for leather tanning. The plant is an established host for the lac insect (Kerria lacca), supporting resin (shellac) production in regional agroforestry systems. The gum exudate provides binding properties for adhesives and binders.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
A source of bark exudate gum, used locally in confectionery and beverages as a stabilizing and binding agent. No health or medicinal claims are implied.
Colorants and tanning:
Bark is rich in hydrolysable tannins and has been used to produce brown and buff colorants for protein fibers and as a tanning agent for leather.
Wood and fiber:
Hard, durable wood is used for small timber, poles, tool handles, and fuel. The plant is used in land rehabilitation and erosion control; improved germplasm is available for planting.
Properties relevant to use:
Bark tannin content around 18–20% and hydrolysable composition favor leather tanning. Exudate gum exhibits adhesive/binder behavior typical of Acacia gums. Hard, dense wood supports durable small-dimension uses.
Standards and regulation:
Gum exudate intended for food or beverages is governed under applicable national food-grade gum and additive regulations. Lac and lac-resin trades are subject to established national and regional marketing and export standards.
Sustainability and sourcing:
V. leucophloea regenerates by seed and coppices readily, making it suitable for sustainable harvest of bark and gum when management includes rotation and regeneration measures; seed germplasm is available to improve establishment.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia leucophloea | (Roxb.) Willd. | Sp. Pl., ed. 4, 4: 1083 (1806) |
| Mimosa leucophloea | Roxb. | Pl. Coromandel2: 27 (1800) |
| Acacia leucophloea var. leucophloea | (Roxb.) Willd. | |
| Acacia leucophloea var. melanochaetes | Miq. |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Bengali | সফেদ বাবুল |
| Indonesian | kabesak |
| Indonesian | pilang |
Varieties (abbr. var.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Vachellia leucophloea var. leucophloea | Unknown | |
| Vachellia leucophloea var. microcephala | (Kurz) Maslin, Seigler & Ebinger | Blumea58: 43 (2013) |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Africa click to expand
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East Tropical Africa
- Tanzania
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Western Indian Ocean
- Mauritius
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East Tropical Africa
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Asia-tropical click to expand
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Indian Subcontinent
- Bangladesh
- India
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- West Himalaya
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Indo-China
- Cambodia
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Vietnam
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Malesia
- Jawa
- Lesser Sunda Islands
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Indian Subcontinent
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Southern America click to expand
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Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
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Caribbean
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001337094 |
| Tropicos | 100408006 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77132539-1 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 220937 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1217422 |
| IUCN Red List | 146517555 |
| IPNI | 77132539-1 |
| iNaturalist | 898785 |
| GBIF | 7769517 |
| USDA GRIN | 468401 |
| CMAUP | NPO7465 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols | |||||
| 2-Propenal, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)- | 9984 | Click to see | 178.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R)-1-[(2S,4aS,4bS,5R,8aS)-5-hydroxy-2,4b,8,8-tetramethyl-4,4a,5,6,7,8a,9,10-octahydro-3H-phenanthren-2-yl]ethane-1,2-diol | 15488961 | Click to see | 322.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP010145Z |
| (3R,7S)-7-[(1S,4aS,8aS)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-hydroxy-4,7-dihydro-3H-dioxepine-5-carbaldehyde | 97046419 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC(=C)C2C3C=C(CC(OO3)O)C=O)C)C | 334.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4R,4aS,4bS,5R,7R,10aS)-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-7-[(2R)-oxiran-2-yl]-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthrene-4,5-diol | 102239745 | Click to see | 320.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP010145Z https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(80)83017-2 |
| (4R,4aS,4bS,5S,7S,10aS)-1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-7-[(2R)-oxiran-2-yl]-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthrene-4,5-diol | 21592240 | Click to see | 320.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP010145Z |
| 1-(5-hydroxy-2,4b,8,8-tetramethyl-4,4a,5,6,7,8a,9,10-octahydro-3H-phenanthren-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diol | 73026004 | Click to see | 322.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(80)83017-2 |
| 1,1,4a,7-tetramethyl-7-(oxiran-2-yl)-3,4,4b,5,6,9,10,10a-octahydro-2H-phenanthrene-4,5-diol | 15046818 | Click to see CC1(CCC(C2(C1CCC3=CC(CC(C32)O)(C)C4CO4)C)O)C | 320.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(80)83017-2 |
| Labda-8(17),12-Diene-15,16-Dial | 11077520 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Leucophleol | 15488960 | Click to see | 322.50 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(80)83017-2 https://doi.org/10.1021/NP010145Z |
| Zerumin A | 11723433 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC(=C)C2CC=C(CC(=O)O)C=O)C)C | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Colensane and clerodane diterpenoids | |||||
| (4S,4aR,8aS)-4-[(Z)-2-(furan-3-yl)ethenyl]-3,4a,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8a-tetrahydro-4H-naphthalen-1-one | 101286221 | Click to see | 298.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 7-Hydroxy Hedychenone | 12189408 | Click to see | 314.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Coronarin A | 24851535 | Click to see | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Coronarin E | 9971144 | Click to see | 284.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hedychenone | 12067184 | Click to see | 298.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| (3S,6E,8S)-3,7,11-trimethyldodeca-1,6,10-triene-3,8-diol | 10105633 | Click to see | 238.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S,6E)-Nerolidol | 5281525 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(=CCCC(C)(C=C)O)C)C | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(4R,5R,6E,10S)-5-acetyloxy-10-hydroxy-2,6,10-trimethyldodeca-2,6,11-trien-4-yl] acetate | 10042769 | Click to see CC(=CC(C(C(=CCCC(C)(C=C)O)C)OC(=O)C)OC(=O)C)C | 338.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eudesmane, isoeudesmane or cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Cryptomeridiol | 165258 | Click to see | 240.38 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Diterpene glycosides | |||||
| 4-[(2S,4R,4aR,6aR,8S,10aR,10bS)-8-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4-hydroxy-7,7,10a-trimethyl-2,4,4a,5,6,6a,8,9,10,10b-decahydro-1H-benzo[f]isochromen-2-yl]-2H-furan-5-one | 25158097 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3CCC4(C(C3(C)C)CCC5C4CC(OC5O)C6=CCOC6=O)C)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 658.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Alpindenoside A | 25158096 | Click to see | 640.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Diterpene lactones | |||||
| (1R,4aS,8aR)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-[(E)-2-(5-oxo-2H-furan-4-yl)ethenyl]-4a,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalene-2-carbaldehyde | 52949806 | Click to see | 328.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (2S)-3-[(E)-2-[(1S,4aS,8aS)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]ethenyl]-2-hydroxy-2H-furan-5-one | 92466427 | Click to see | 316.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[(E)-2-[(1R,4aS,8aR)-3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-4-oxo-4a,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]ethenyl]-2H-furan-5-one | 52943704 | Click to see | 346.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 8(17),13-Labdadien-15,16-olide | 24741370 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Villosin | 16733738 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC(=C)C2C=CC3=CCOC3=O)C)C | 300.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Sitogluside | 5742590 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 576.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmasterol | 5280794 | Click to see | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids | |||||
| (Z)-3-[(1S,4aS,8aS)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]prop-2-enoic acid | 25158098 | Click to see | 262.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Secondary alcohols | |||||
| Galanal B | 3086504 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CC=C(CC3O)C=O)C=O)C)C | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| (3E,5R)-3-[2-[(1S,4aS,8aS)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]ethylidene]-5-hydroxyoxolan-2-one | 92983345 | Click to see | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3E,5S)-3-[2-[(1S,4aS,8aS)-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]ethylidene]-5-ethoxyoxolan-2-one | 97354637 | Click to see | 346.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3E)-3-[2-[(1R,3R,4aS,8aR)-3-hydroxy-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-4-oxo-4a,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]ethylidene]oxolan-2-one | 21601997 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1C(=O)C(C(=C)C2CC=C3CCOC3=O)O)C)C | 332.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3E)-3-[2-[(1S,4R,4aS,8aR)-4-hydroxy-5,5,8a-trimethyl-2-methylidene-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]ethylidene]oxolan-2-one | 16038718 | Click to see | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hedychilactone A | 10041596 | Click to see | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| isocoronarin D | 46871816 | Click to see | 318.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Coumaric acids and derivatives | |||||
| 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-, ethyl ester | 65133 | Click to see | 222.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives / Hydroxycinnamic acids | |||||
| 3-(4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxyphenyl)Prop-2-Enoic Acid | 709 | Click to see | 194.18 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Diarylheptanoids / Linear diarylheptanoids | |||||
| 1,7-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)hepta-4,6-dien-3-one | 46881044 | Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CCC(=O)C=CC=CC2=CC(=C(C=C2)O)OC)O | 354.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glucuronides / Flavonoid-3-O-glucuronides | |||||
| kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->2)-beta-D-glucuronopyranoside | 57509403 | Click to see | 608.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Kaempferol 3,7,4'-trimethyl ether | 5468749 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)OC)O)OC | 328.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |