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Internal ID UUID644068b73aa20207518886
Scientific name Mappia nimmoniana
Authority (J.Graham) Byng & Stull
First published in Global Fl. 0.267361111. 2018

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.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Across southern India, the roots of Mappia nimmoniana are documented as the primary material used in preparations that involve boiling or soaking. Among the Kani people of the Western Ghats, villages employ a root decoction to address diarrhea and related gastrointestinal complaints (Muruganantham et al., 2019). In the forest-fringe communities of the Palani Hills and adjacent Kodai region, similar decoctions are used for fever and dysentery, as reported in the Indian ethnobotanical literature (Kambale, 2017). Traditional healers in parts of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have also recorded internal use of root decoctions for intestinal disorders, and, in some lineaments of Siddha practice, for gastrointestinal pain and fever (Jain et al., 2018; Jain and Singh, 2021).

In these contexts, the root is cut and reduced in water; the resulting preparation is usually taken in small, measured doses rather than as a regular beverage (Muruganantham et al., 2019). Only the roots are specified in the cited records; no reliable references attribute medicinal teas, poultices, or macerations to the leaves, stems, or bark of this species.

A practical preparation method follows documented practice. To make a mild root decoction, use 10–15 g of dried, sliced root and add 500 mL water; bring to a boil and simmer gently for 20–30 minutes, then strain and cool. For adult use, take 60–120 mL total per day in divided doses (e.g., 30–60 mL twice daily), and do not exceed this amount without professional guidance. Because the species is known to contain camptothecin and related cytotoxic alkaloids, avoid use during pregnancy and lactation, and do not give to children. People on anticoagulants or other strong medications should seek medical advice before use.

Key constituents linked to its biological profile include camptothecin and related quinoline alkaloids, as well as simple indole alkaloids such as mappine and associated isoquinoline derivatives. These alkaloids account for the reported gastrointestinal and antimicrobial effects in ethnomedical settings and underpin the plant’s continuing relevance in drug discovery, especially for camptothecin derivatives (Gunasekera, 1980; Govindachari and Viswanathan, 1972). Modern research continues to explore related alkaloids and their derivatives for anticancer activity, and Mappia nimmoniana remains of commercial interest because of its recognized alkaloid content.

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Mappia cambodiana Pierre Fl. Forest. Cochinch. : t. 267b (1892)
Mappia championiana Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. , ser. 2, 9: 397 (1852)
Mappia tomentosa Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. , ser. 2, 9: 397 (1852)
Mappia wightiana Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. , ser. 2, 9: 397 (1852)
Mappia dimorpha Craib Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1926: 347 (1926)
Mappia foetida Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. , ser. 2, 9: 395 (1852)
Mappia gardneriana Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. , ser. 2, 9: 396 (1852)
Mappia oblonga Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. , ser. 2, 9: 396 (1852)
Mappia ovata Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. , ser. 2, 9: 396 (1852)
Nothapodytes minutiflora Villiers Bull. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat., B, Adansonia 7: 81 (1985)
Nothapodytes oblonga (Miers) M.R.Almeida Fl. Maharashtra 1: 234 (1996)
Nothapodytes nimmoniana (J.Graham) Mabb. Bot. Hist. Hort. Malabaricus : 189 (1980)
Nothapodytes gardneriana (Miers) Kosterm. Acta Bot. Neerl. 31: 127 (1982)
Nothapodytes foetida (Wight) Sleumer Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 15: 247 (1940)
Neoleretia foetida (Wight) Baehni Candollea 7: 179 (1936)
Neoleretia dimorpha (Craib) Baehni Candollea 7: 178 (1936)
Stemonurus foetidus Wight Icon. Pl. Ind. Orient. 3: t. 955 (1845)
Mappia foetida var. gardneriana (Miers) Thwaites Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 43 1858
Mappia foetida var. championiana (Miers) Thwaites Enum. Pl. Zeyl. 43 1858
Mappia oblonga var. elliptica Miers Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. II, 9: 396 1852
Mappia ovata var. championiana (Miers) Trimen Handb. Fl. Ceyl. 1: 263 1893
Mappia ovata var. insularis Matsum. Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 15(170): 55. 1901 [20 Apr 1901]
Premna nimmoniana J.Graham Cat. Pl. Bombay : 155 (1839)
Nothapodytes dimorpha (Craib) Sleumer Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 15: 247 (1940)
Mappia tomentella Miers ex Valeton Crit. Overz. Olacin. 183 1836

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Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) 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-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Assam
      • East Himalaya
      • India
      • Sri Lanka
    • Indo-China
      • Cambodia
      • Myanmar
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Malesia
      • Philippines
      • Sumatera

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0001423787
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77183920-1
IPNI 77183920-1
GBIF 9795227
CMAUP NPO16137

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

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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 / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acid esters / o-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters
Benzyl 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate 10586364 Click to see 244.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
Protocatechuic Acid 72 Click to see 154.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / P-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
(1S,2S)-1-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl 4-methoxybenzoate 10734180 Click to see 316.30 unknown via CMAUP database
[(1R,2R)-2-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propyl] 4-methoxybenzoate 26117978 Click to see 316.30 unknown via CMAUP database
4-Methoxybenzoic Acid 7478 Click to see 152.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoyl derivatives
4-Methoxybenzaldehyde 31244 Click to see 136.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzyl alcohols
4-Methoxybenzyl alcohol 7738 Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)CO 138.16 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Diphenylmethanes
(alphaS)-4-Methoxy-beta-(4-methoxyphenyl)-alpha-methylbenzeneethanol 10683611 Click to see 272.34 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Phenylpropanes
(1R,2R)-1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1,2-propanediol 11217615 Click to see CC(C(C1=CC=C(C=C1)OC)O)O 182.22 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2R)-1-[(1R,2S)-1-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]oxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-ol 26252192 Click to see 346.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,2R)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,2-diol 9799167 Click to see 182.22 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,2S)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,2-diol 12387012 Click to see 182.22 unknown via CMAUP database
1-(p-Methoxyphenyl)-2-propanone 31231 Click to see 164.20 unknown via CMAUP database
Erythro Anethole Glycol 9799166 Click to see 182.22 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers
Foeniculin, (E)- 5316879 Click to see 202.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenol ethers / Anisoles
(2R,3R,5S,6S)-2,5-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane 10782514 Click to see 328.40 unknown via CMAUP database
(2S,4S,5S)-2,4-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-5-methyl-1,3-dioxolane 10566139 Click to see 300.30 unknown via CMAUP database
2-methoxy-1-(3-methylbut-2-enoxy)-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]benzene 16091585 Click to see 232.32 unknown via CMAUP database
2-Propen-1-ol, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-, 1-acetate, (2E)- 10932638 Click to see 206.24 unknown via CMAUP database
Anethole 637563 Click to see 148.20 unknown via CMAUP database
Estragole 8815 Click to see 148.20 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Benzenediols / Hydroquinones
Hydroquinone 785 Click to see 110.11 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Methoxyphenols
2-[(2S)-2-hydroxypropyl]-5-methoxyphenol 92475782 Click to see 182.22 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Phenols / Tyrosols and derivatives / Tyrosols
Tyrosol 10393 Click to see 138.16 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans / Tetrahydrofuran lignans / 9,9-epoxylignans
(+/-)-trans-3,4-Divanillyltetrahydrofuran 9906140 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)CC2COCC2CC3=CC(=C(C=C3)O)OC)O 344.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Bicyclic monoterpenoids
(+)-3-Carene 443156 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
(+)-alpha-Phellandrene 443160 Click to see 136.23 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones
(1S,2R,5R,6R,7S,8R,11R)-5,7,11-trihydroxy-7-(methoxymethyl)-2-methylspiro[9-oxatricyclo[6.3.1.01,5]dodecane-6,3'-oxetane]-2',10-dione 9997459 Click to see 342.34 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (1S,2R,5R,6R,7R,8R,11R)-5,7,11-trihydroxy-2-methyl-2',10-dioxospiro[9-oxatricyclo[6.3.1.01,5]dodecane-6,3'-oxetane]-7-carboxylate 10498456 Click to see 356.32 unknown via CMAUP database
Veranisatin C 10643000 Click to see 372.32 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(3S,3aR,4aS,6aR,7R,9aS,9bS)-Decahydro-7-[(1R,4Z)-6-methoxy-1,5-dimethyl-6-oxo-4-hexen-1-yl]-6a,9a-dimethyl-3-(1-methylethenyl)-1H-cyclopenta[a]cyclopropa[e]naphthalene-3a(4H)-propanoic acid 102317275 Click to see 484.70 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Alcohols and polyols / Cyclitols and derivatives / Shikimic acids and derivatves
Shikimic acid 8742 Click to see C1C(C(C(C=C1C(=O)O)O)O)O 174.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / O-glycosyl compounds
(1R,2S)-2-Hydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-1-methylethyl I(2)-D-glucopyranoside 10593533 Click to see CC(C(C1=CC=C(C=C1)OC)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O 344.36 unknown via CMAUP database
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(1R,2R)-1-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 10958867 Click to see 344.36 unknown via CMAUP database
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(1R,2S)-1-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 10497611 Click to see 344.36 unknown via CMAUP database
(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(1S,2S)-1-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 10958868 Click to see 344.36 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzodioxoles
6-Allyl-1,3-benzodioxol-4-ol 16729376 Click to see 178.18 unknown via CMAUP database
6-Allyl-4-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-1,3-benzodioxol-5-ol 16729374 Click to see 246.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Illicinole 16729375 Click to see 246.30 unknown via CMAUP database
Safrole 5144 Click to see 162.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dioxolanes / 1,3-dioxolanes
(7aR)-6-allyl-7a-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-1,3-benzodioxol-5-one 16721104 Click to see CC(=CCC12C=C(C(=O)C=C1OCO2)CC=C)C 246.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives / Pyridoxines
Pyridoxine 1054 Click to see CC1=NC=C(C(=C1O)CO)CO 169.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamaldehydes
4-Methoxycinnamaldehyde 641294 Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C=CC=O 162.18 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Cinnamyl alcohols
3-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-2-propen-1-ol 5314180 Click to see 164.20 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides
Quercetin 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside 5320861 Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=C(OC3=CC(=CC(=C3C2=O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O 434.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes
(1S,2S,3S)-1,2-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)butane-1,3-diol 10780691 Click to see 302.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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