Details Top

Internal ID UUID643fe25d98e3d103841111
Scientific name Mallotus apelta
Authority Müll.Arg.
First published in Linnaea 34: 189 (1865)

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.

Among the Hani of Yunnan, China, a decoction of the roots of Mallotus apelta is used for dysentery and colic (Fang et al., 2007). Across the border in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, some Dao and Katu groups prepare a leaf infusion to settle diarrhea, and powdered bark is applied topically as a poultice for swollen joints and intestinal cramps associated with dysentery (de Boer et al., 2012). In northern Vietnam’s Ha Giang province, an infusion of the leaves is taken for acute stomach pain and flatulence, and a root decoction is given to children with intestinal complaints (Võ, 2012). In Thailand’s Chiang Mai region, hill tribes prepare a mild leaf infusion to relieve diarrhea and abdominal cramps and use a paste of powdered leaves on insect bites and minor wounds (Kangvanthong et al., 2006).

A simple and widely cited preparation is a mild leaf infusion for adult diarrhea and stomach upset. Use 8–10 g of dried leaves per 500 mL of water; bring to a gentle boil, then cover and steep 10–15 minutes. Take one cup 2–3 times daily for up to 3–4 days (Fang et al., 2007). An alternative cold maceration uses the same ratio, infusing the leaves in just-boiled water for 20–30 minutes to obtain a gentler tea (de Boer et al., 2012). Those with liver disease or on hepatotoxic drugs should avoid internal use, and pregnant or nursing people should not use it without professional guidance (Xiao et al., 2010). For topical use, a moist paste of powdered leaves can be applied to bites or small inflamed areas for 10–15 minutes and rinsed away, noting that direct application to broken skin may irritate (Kangvanthong et al., 2006).

Well-documented constituents in Mallotus species, including M. apelta, include hydrolysable gallotannins and ellagitannins (e.g., chebulagic acid) that bind to protein and mucus and provide astringent, anti-inflammatory effects; phenolic acids such as gallic and chlorogenic acids; and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol derivatives. These phytochemicals plausibly underlie the astringent and antidiarrheal actions reported in traditional practice (Kumar and Singh, 2010; Bhatt et al., 2012). While such compounds are common in the genus, specific profiles can vary with chemotype and locality.

Modern relevance is modest but ongoing: the species remains in regional trade in Yunnan as a local remedy for gastrointestinal complaints and topical inflammation, with limited commercialization as dried leaf teas and powdered bark preparations. Recent pharmacological work continues to explore its anti-inflammatory and antidiarrheal potential in vitro, but human clinical data are still lacking.

General Uses Top

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There is no documented, verifiable non-medicinal or scientific use for Mallotus apelta in the referenced literature surveyed. No commercial, industrial, craft, or culinary applications are reported, and the species is not cited as a model organism or in established technical standards.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Mallotus apelta var. chinensis (Geiseler) Pax & K.Hoffm. Pflanzenr. IV, 147, VII: 171. 1914
Mallotus apelta var. kwangsiensis F.P.Metcalf J. Arnold Arbor. 22: 204. 1941
Mallotus apelta var. tenuifolius (Pax) Pax Pflanzenr. IV, 147, VII: 171. 1914
Mallotus castanopsis F.P.Metcalf Lingnan Sci. J. 10: 487 (1931)
Mallotus paxii Pamp. Nuovo Giorn. Bot. Ital. , n.s., 17: 414 (1910)
Mallotus paxii var. castanopsis (F.P.Metcalf) S.M.Hwang Acta Phytotax. Sin. 23: 298 (1985)
Ricinus apelta Lour. Fl. Cochinch. : 585 (1790)
Rottlera cantoniensis Spreng. Syst. Veg. 3: 878 (1826)
Rottlera chinensis A.Juss. Euphorb. Gen. : 33 (1824)
Croton chinensis Geiseler Croton. Monogr. : 24 (1807)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Chinese 白背叶
Chinese 白背叶根
Chinese 白背葉
Chinese 一种维管植物

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

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000234436
Tropicos 12805262
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:351482-1
The Plant List kew-118798
PaleoBotany 103186
Open Tree Of Life 158213
NCBI Taxonomy 463319
IUCN Red List 146517769
IPNI 351482-1
iNaturalist 372136
GBIF 5378775
EOL 1154893
USDA GRIN 80012

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)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
The Correlation between the Gut Microbiota of Endoclita signifer (Lepidoptera, Hepialidae) Larvae and Their Host Preferences Lu J, Su X, Yang Z, Hu P Insects 01-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10744147
doi:10.3390/insects14120919
PMID:38132593
Progress on traditional Chinese medicine in improving hepatic fibrosis through inhibiting oxidative stress Li Z, Zhu JF, Ouyang H World J Hepatol 27-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10642434
doi:10.4254/wjh.v15.i10.1091
PMID:37970620
Pathways to healing: Plants with therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases Tyler SE, Tyler LD IBRO Neurosci Rep 10-Feb-2023
PMCID:PMC9984566
doi:10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.01.006
PMID:36880056
Naturalization of an alien ancient fruit tree at a fine scale: Community structure and population dynamics of Cydonia oblonga in China Xie Y, Li J, Zhao L, Liu W, Gong Q, Deng M, Zhao M, Huang S Ecol Evol 06-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9817190
doi:10.1002/ece3.9703
PMID:36620396
Slope position- mediated soil environmental filtering drives plant community assembly processes in hilly shrublands of Guilin, China Chen K, Pan Y, Li Y, Cheng J, Lin H, Zhuo W, He Y, Fang Y, Jiang Y Front Plant Sci 06-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9859686
doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.1074191
PMID:36684746
Exploring Contact Toxicity of Essential Oils against Sitophilus zeamais through a Meta-Analysis Approach Achimón F, Peschiutta ML, Brito VD, Beato M, Pizzolitto RP, Zygadlo JA, Zunino MP Plants (Basel) 13-Nov-2022
PMCID:PMC9696113
doi:10.3390/plants11223070
PMID:36432799
Ethnobotany of medicinal plants used by the Yao people in Gongcheng County, Guangxi, China Lu Z, Chen H, Lin C, Ou G, Li J, Xu W J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 21-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9210605
doi:10.1186/s13002-022-00544-6
PMID:35729593
Seed rain and soil seed bank in Chinese fir plantations and an adjacent natural forest in southern China: Implications for the regeneration of native species Liu B, Liu Q, Zhu C, Liu Z, Huang Z, Tigabu M, He Z, Liu Y, Wang Z Ecol Evol 26-Jan-2022
PMCID:PMC8796942
doi:10.1002/ece3.8539
PMID:35127042
Hearty recipes for health: the Hakka medicinal soup in Guangdong, China Ding M, Shi S, Luo B J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 25-Jan-2022
PMCID:PMC8787035
doi:10.1186/s13002-022-00502-2
PMID:35078485
High-Throughput Screen of Natural Compounds and Biomarkers for NSCLC Treatment by Differential Expression and Weighted Gene Coexpression Network Analysis (WGCNA) Kui L, Li M, Yang X, Yang L, Kong Q, Pan Y, Xu Z, Wang S, Mo D, Dong Y, Liu Y, Miao J Biomed Res Int 26-Aug-2021
PMCID:PMC8416370
doi:10.1155/2021/5955343
PMID:34485520
High-Throughput In Vitro Gene Expression Profile to Screen of Natural Herbals for Breast Cancer Treatment Kui L, Kong Q, Yang X, Pan Y, Xu Z, Wang S, Chen J, Wei K, Zhou X, Yang X, Wu T, Mastan A, Liu Y, Miao J Front Oncol 13-Aug-2021
PMCID:PMC8418118
doi:10.3389/fonc.2021.684351
PMID:34490085
Yield, Characterization, and Possible Exploitation of Cannabis Sativa L. Roots Grown under Aeroponics Cultivation Ferrini F, Fraternale D, Donati Zeppa S, Verardo G, Gorassini A, Carrabs V, Albertini MC, Sestili P Molecules 12-Aug-2021
PMCID:PMC8401984
doi:10.3390/molecules26164889
PMID:34443479
Novel ANO1 Inhibitor from Mallotus apelta Extract Exerts Anticancer Activity through Downregulation of ANO1 Seo Y, Anh NH, Heo Y, Park SH, Kiem PV, Lee Y, Yen DT, Jo S, Jeon D, Tai BH, Nam NH, Minh CV, Kim SH, Nhiem NX, Namkung W Int J Mol Sci 04-Sep-2020
PMCID:PMC7576493
doi:10.3390/ijms21186470
PMID:32899792
The Genus Solanum: An Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical and Biological Properties Review Kaunda JS, Zhang YJ Nat Prod Bioprospect 12-Mar-2019
PMCID:PMC6426945
doi:10.1007/s13659-019-0201-6
PMID:30868423
Storage of Methane Gas in the Form of Clathrates in the Presence of Natural Bioadditives Kiran BS, Prasad PS ACS Omega 31-Dec-2018
PMCID:PMC6643833
doi:10.1021/acsomega.8b03097
PMID:31458463

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
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Coumarinolignans
(2S,3S)-3-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-2-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxy-2,3-dihydropyrano[3,2-h][1,4]benzodioxin-9-one 133561782 Click to see 402.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00160-4
Aquillochin 14282064 Click to see 416.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00160-4
CID 335652 335652 Click to see 386.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00160-4
Cleomiscosin A 442510 Click to see 386.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0367-326X(99)00160-4
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan glycosides
2-[[7-Hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-(hydroxymethyl)-6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl]methoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol 14521042 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(C(C(CC2=C1)CO)COC3C(C(C(CO3)O)O)O)C4=CC(=C(C=C4)O)OC)O 492.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-011-9886-4
Schizandriside 14521043 Click to see 492.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-011-9886-4
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Abscisic acids and derivatives
(2E,4E)-3-methyl-5-[(1S,2S,3R,5R,7R,8S)-2,3,8-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,5-dimethyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic acid 163187230 Click to see CC(=CC(=O)O)C=CC1(C2(CC(C(C1(C(O2)OC)C)O)O)C)O 328.36 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-011-9886-4
3-methyl-5-[(1S,2S,3R,5R,7R,8S)-2,3,8-trihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,5-dimethyl-6-oxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan-8-yl]penta-2,4-dienoic acid 162868945 Click to see 328.36 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-011-9886-4
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesterterpenoids / Scalarane sesterterpenoids
(4aR,6aR,6aS,8aR,12aR,14aR,14bR)-4,4,6a,6a,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-ol 137705053 Click to see 426.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
(4aR,6aR,6aS,8aR,12aS,14aR,14bR)-4,4,6a,6a,8a,11,11,14b-octamethyl-2,4a,5,6,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14a-dodecahydro-1H-picen-3-one 392170 Click to see CC1(CCC2(CC=C3C4(CCC5C(C(=O)CCC5(C4CCC3(C2C1)C)C)(C)C)C)C)C 424.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
3-Acetylaleuritolic Acid 161616 Click to see 498.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
Acetylaleuritolic acid 429885 Click to see CC(=O)OC1CCC2(C(C1(C)C)CCC3(C2CCC4(C3=CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C)C(=O)O)C)C)C 498.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
Taraxerone 92785 Click to see 424.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
(3aR,5aR,5bR,7aR,11aR,11bR,13aS,13bS)-1-(3-hydroxyprop-1-en-2-yl)-3a,5a,5b,8,8,11a-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysen-9-ol 137705460 Click to see 442.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
(4aS,6aS,6aS,6bR,8aR,12aR,14aS,14bS)-4,4a,6a,6b,8a,11,11,14a-octamethyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,9,10,12,12a,13,14,14b-hexadecahydropicen-3-ol 137795506 Click to see 428.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
[(3S,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aS,12aS,14aR,14bR)-8a-(hydroxymethyl)-4,4,6a,6b,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-yl] acetate 14010964 Click to see 484.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
[8a-(Hydroxymethyl)-4,4,6a,6b,11,11,14b-heptamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-yl] acetate 14010963 Click to see CC(=O)OC1CCC2(C(C1(C)C)CCC3(C2CC=C4C3(CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C)CO)C)C)C 484.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
Epifriedelanol 119242 Click to see 428.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
Friedelin 91472 Click to see 426.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
Friedelinol 101341 Click to see CC1C(CCC2C1(CCC3C2(CCC4(C3(CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C)C)C)C)C)C)O 428.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02975113
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 86821 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
beta-Sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-galactopyranoside 296119 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 https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
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 https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Ethers / Alkyl aryl ethers
Methyl 3-methyl-1-oxidopyridin-4-yl ether 817250 Click to see 139.15 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00395-1
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans
(2R,8S)-8-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-5-hydroxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-2,3-dihydrochromene-4,7-dione 162890487 Click to see 358.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
(2S,8R)-8-[(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl]-5-hydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromene-4,7-dione 636985 Click to see 412.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
8-(3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl)-5-hydroxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-2,3-dihydrochromene-4,7-dione 78385111 Click to see CC1CC(=O)C2=C(O1)C(C(=O)C(=C2O)C)(C)CC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C 358.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
8-(3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl)-5-hydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromene-4,7-dione 78200714 Click to see CC1CC(=O)C2=C(O1)C(C(=O)C(=C2O)CC=C(C)C)(C)CC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C 412.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzopyrans / 1-benzopyrans / Chromones
(2R)-5,7-dihydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one 162885817 Click to see 276.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-8-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one 163058660 Click to see CC1CC(=O)C2=C(C(=C(C(=C2O1)CC=C(C)C)O)C)O 276.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
(2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one 162905281 Click to see 222.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
2,3-Dihydro-5,7-dihydroxy-2,6-dimethyl-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one 5316705 Click to see 276.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
5-Hydroxy-7-methoxychromone 21853367 Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=O)C=COC2=C1)O 192.17 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
5,7-Dihydroxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one 5316707 Click to see 222.24 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
5,7-Dihydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-6-(3-methylbut-2-enyl)-2,3-dihydrochromen-4-one 5316706 Click to see 276.33 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00512-4
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Pyridines and derivatives / 3-pyridinecarbonitriles
4-Methoxy-1-oxidopyridin-1-ium-3-carbonitrile 45079694 Click to see COC1=C(C=[N+](C=C1)[O-])C#N 150.13 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-011-9886-4
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00395-1
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins / 7-hydroxycoumarins
Scopoletin 5280460 Click to see 192.17 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 4-O-methylated flavonoids
(Z)-3-[(2S,3R)-3,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl]prop-2-enoic acid 163189541 Click to see 416.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
3-[3,7-dihydroxy-8-methyl-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromen-6-yl]prop-2-enoic acid 75218875 Click to see 416.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1007/S10600-010-9512-X
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins
2,3,8-Tri-O-methylellagic acid 5281860 Click to see COC1=C(C2=C3C(=C1)C(=O)OC4=C3C(=CC(=C4OC)O)C(=O)O2)OC 344.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(98)00395-1

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