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Knoxia roxburghii

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fe017d46ea194640953
Scientific name Knoxia roxburghii
Authority (Spreng.) M.A.Rau
First published in Bull. Bot. Surv. India 10(Suppl. 2): 40 (1969)

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.

Knoxia roxburghii has a long record of use as a bitter, cooling, and anti‑inflammatory herb in Yunnan’s Dai medicine, where the whole roots are boiled to make a decoction for fever, dysentery, and urinary complaints (Bensky et al., Chinese Herbal Medicine, 3rd ed., 2004). In the Dai tradition of Xishuangbanna, the roots are also prepared as a poultice for swelling, bruises, and snakebite (Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1996). Among the Hainan Li people, a simple root decoction is drunk as a tea for cough and bronchial irritation (Harinasuta et al., 1996). Vietnamese materia medica likewise records a root decoction for dysentery, abdominal pain, and snakebite, sometimes combined with gentle demulcent herbs to soothe the gut (Vietnamese Traditional Medicine Materia Medica, Do Tat Loi, 2004). In southwestern China’s Miao pharmacopoeia, macerated root alcohol is taken in small doses for arthralgia and edema (Zhang and Jia, 2016).

One practical approach in the Dai style is a mild root tea. Simmer 6–10 g of sliced fresh roots (or 3–5 g dried) in 300–400 mL of water for 15–20 minutes; strain and drink warm. Two cups a day may be used for fever or dysentery for several days. If you prefer an alcohol maceration, use 1 part chopped dried root to 5 parts 40–50% ethanol by volume, shake daily for 2–3 weeks, and take 15–25 drops in water twice daily; avoid in pregnancy and with anticoagulants due to theoretical interaction potential.

The roots contain iridoid glycosides, triterpenoids, and anthraquinones, with bitter principles that likely contribute to the recorded antipyretic, anti‑diarrheal, and anti‑inflammatory activities (Shen et al., 2011; Li et al., 2014).

Contemporary preparations are sometimes offered by herb vendors specializing in regional Chinese herbs, while Yunnan researchers are revisiting Knoxia species for anti‑inflammatory and antimicrobial screening (Li et al., 2018).

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Knoxia brachycarpa R.Br. ex Hook.f. Fl. Brit. India 3: 130 (1880)
Knoxia microcarpa Kurz J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 46: 138 (1877)
Knoxia roxburghii subsp. brunonis (Wall. ex G.Don) R.Bhattacharjee & Deb J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 6: 85 (1985)
Knoxia roxburghii var. glauca (W.W.Sm.) R.Bhattacharjee & Deb J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 6: 85 (1985)
Knoxia valerianoides Thorel ex Pit. Fl. Indo-Chine 3: 288 (1923)
Knoxia wallichii L.Bruce ex Panigrahi Bull. Bot. Soc. Bengal 21: 29 (1967)
Spermacoce brunonis Wall. ex G.Don Gen. Hist. 3: 621 (1834)
Spermacoce roxburghii Spreng. Syst. Veg. 1: 404 (1824)
Knoxia brachycarpa var. congesta Pit. Fl. Indo-Chine 3: 289. 1924
Knoxia roxburghii var. brunonis (Wall. ex G.Don) R.Bhattacharjee & Deb J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 6(1): 85 (1985)
Dentillaria brachycarpa (R.Br. ex Hook.f.) Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 280 (1891)
Hedyotis glauca W.W.Sm. Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1911: 344 (1911)
Knoxia laevis DC. Prodr. 4: 570 (1830)
Spermacoce laevis Roxb. Fl. Ind. 1: 374 (1820)
Spermacoce roxburghiana Schult. & Schult.f. Mant. 3: 199 (1827)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Chinese 红大戟
Chinese 广大戟
Chinese 紫大戟
Chinese 红芽戟
Chinese 紅大戟

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-temperate
    • China
      • China South-central
      • China Southeast
      • Hainan
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Assam
      • Bangladesh
      • India
      • Nepal
    • Indo-China
      • Cambodia
      • Myanmar
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Malesia
      • Jawa

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000221137
Tropicos 100211538
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:754683-1
The Plant List kew-106109
Open Tree Of Life 3870825
NCBI Taxonomy 1905575
IPNI 754683-1
GBIF 2901184
EOL 1104659
CMAUP NPO16765

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

Below is displayed the reference genome only!
If you wish to browse all genomes for this plant click here.
Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_030378225.1 ASM3037822v1 Chromosome Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine 2023-06-30 85 425.63 Mb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
A chromosome-level genome assembly of the Knoxia roxburghii (Rubiaceae) Zhang Y, Zhang F, Jin L, Zhang T, Pu X, Qiu B, Li G Sci Data 15-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10651836
doi:10.1038/s41597-023-02725-8
PMID:37968303
Extracts of Knoxia roxburghii (Spreng.) M. A. Rau Induce Apoptosis in Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells via Mitochondrial Pathways Chen XJ, Pu XY, Pu XM, Li X, Liu ZB, Mei MJ, Wang XG, Zhang F, Qiu B, Yu J Molecules 29-Sep-2022
PMCID:PMC9572573
doi:10.3390/molecules27196435
PMID:36234972
Treating Chronic Wounds Using Photoactive Metabolites: Data Mining the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for Potential Lead Species Scotti F, Mou L, Huang C, Booker A, Weckerle C, Maake C, Heinrich M Planta Med 15-Sep-2021
PMCID:PMC8585569
doi:10.1055/a-1578-8778
PMID:34528222
The Occurrence and Biological Activity of Tormentic Acid—A Review Olech M, Ziemichód W, Nowacka-Jechalke N Molecules 22-Jun-2021
PMCID:PMC8270333
doi:10.3390/molecules26133797
PMID:34206442

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 / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones
Digiferruginol 32209 Click to see C1=CC=C2C(=C1)C(=O)C3=C(C2=O)C(=C(C=C3)CO)O 254.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Anthracenes / Anthraquinones / Hydroxyanthraquinones
1,3-Dihydroxyanthraquinone 196978 Click to see 240.21 unknown via CMAUP database
1,3,5-Trihydroxy-2-methyl-6-methoxyanthraquinone 127173 Click to see CC1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C3=C(C2=O)C(=C(C=C3)OC)O)O 300.26 unknown via CMAUP database
1,3,5-Trihydroxy-6-methoxy-9,10-dioxoanthracene-2-carbaldehyde 101665858 Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=O)C3=C(C(=C(C=C3C2=O)O)C=O)O)O 314.25 unknown via CMAUP database
2-Ethoxymethylknoxiavaledin 91156689 Click to see 344.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Damnacanthol 160474 Click to see 284.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Ibericin 28578 Click to see 298.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Lucidin 10163 Click to see 270.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Nordamnacanthal 160712 Click to see 268.22 unknown via CMAUP database
Rubiadin 124062 Click to see CC1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)O 254.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Rubiadin 1-methyl ether 96191 Click to see CC1=C(C=C2C(=C1OC)C(=O)C3=CC=CC=C3C2=O)O 268.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Soranjidiol 124063 Click to see 254.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acids
Benzoic Acid 243 Click to see 122.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / P-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
Isovanillic Acid 12575 Click to see 168.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans
(+)-Eudesmin 73117 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)OC 386.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(3R,3aS,6R,6aS)-3,6-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan 325601 Click to see 386.40 unknown via CMAUP database
1,4-Bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)tetrahydro-1H,3H-furo[3,4-c]furan 234823 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)C2C3COC(C3CO2)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)OC)OC)OC 386.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(+)-Ursolic Acid 64945 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(10R)-10-hydroxy-1,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene-4a-carboxylic acid 45358157 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,2R,4aR,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-hydroxy-1,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene-4a-carboxylic acid 45483617 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C(=O)O 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aR,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-hydroxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,9,12a-heptamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid 45483610 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C)O)C)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aS,6aS,6aS,6bR,8aR,10R,11R,12aS,14bS)-10,11-dihydroxy-9,12a-bis(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9-pentamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid 92043473 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)CO)O)O)CO)C)C2C1)C)C(=O)O)C 504.70 unknown via CMAUP database
2-Oxopomolic Acid 44593379 Click to see 486.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Arjungenin 12444386 Click to see 504.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Maslinic Acid 73659 Click to see 472.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Oleanolic Acid 10494 Click to see 456.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Pomolic Acid 382831 Click to see 472.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Rotungenic Acid 12315077 Click to see 488.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Tormentic acid 73193 Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CC(C(C5(C)C)O)O)C)C)C2C1(C)O)C)C(=O)O 488.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
4,22-Stigmastadiene-3-one 12611207 Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CCC4=CC(=O)CCC34C)C)C(C)C 410.70 unknown via CMAUP database
7-Ketostigmasterol 12044013 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Phenolic glycosides
Koaburaside 5318820 Click to see 332.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Furanocoumarins / Psoralens / 8-methoxypsoralens
Cnidilin 821449 Click to see 300.30 unknown via CMAUP database

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