Labisia pumila (PROSEA)
Introduction |
Labisia pumila (Blume) Fern.-Vill.
- Protologue: Nov. app.: 123 (1880).
- Family: Myrsinaceae
- Chromosome number: 2n= 46-50
Synonyms
Ardisia pumila Blume (1823), Labisia pothoina Lindley (1845).
Vernacular names
- Indonesia: kelimparan tuli (Belitung), udu mudung bio’ (Kenyah, East Kalimantan). Malaysia : kacip fatima, mata pelandok rimba, bunga belangkas hutan (Peninsular).
Origin and geographic distribution
L. pumila occurs in Indo-China, peninsular Thailand and throughout the Malesian region.
Uses
In Peninsular Malaysia a root decoction is taken in the months before giving birth to induce and ease delivery. A decoction of leaves and roots, often mixed with other plants, is drunk as a protective post-partum tonic. L. pumila is further used to treat flatulence and dysentery, and a decoction of leaves and stems is drunk to treat dysmenorrhoea and a root decoction to treat gonorrhoea. Capsules based on L. pumila roots are commercially available in Malaysia. In Indonesia a root decoction is taken to treat syphilis, and a decoction of leaves and stems to treat menorrhagia.
Properties
In a general screening experiment, a crude ethanol extract of L. pumila showed biocidal activity against brine shrimp ( Artemia salina ) nauplii. In an in-vitro bioassay based on the oestrogen-specific enhancement of alkaline phosphatase (AlkP) in human endometrial adenocarcinoma cells, an ethanolic root extract revealed weak oestrogenicity. In a modified disc-diffusion assay, a methanol leaf extract showed moderate antibacterial activity against gram-positive Pseudomonas spp. and gram-negative Staphylococcus spp. and weak antifungal activity against Candida lipolytica and the dermatophytic fungus Trichoplyton rubrum .
Botany
An erect or ascending undershrub up to 30(-50) cm tall; stem unbranched. Leaves alternate, simple, oblong-lanceolate, (8-)15-25 cm × (2.5-)5-7 cm, decurrent at base, shallowly crenulate or subentire, variably lepidote below; long-petiolate to subsessile; stipules absent. Inflorescence an axillary raceme 2-8 cm long, ferrugineously puberulous. Flowers bisexual, regular, 5-merous; sepals united at base, c. 0.5 mm long, finely pubescent outside; petals united at base, c. 2 mm long, violet to dirty white, lobes valvate, ovate; stamens opposite the petals, anthers sessile; ovary superior, 1-celled, style filiform. Fruit a globose, 1-seeded berry, red at maturity.
In Java L. pumila can be found flowering and fruiting throughout the year. Labisia consists of some 6-9 species, most of them confined to western Malesia. L. pumila is the only widespread species. It is variable and sometimes several varieties are recognized.
Ecology
L. pumila is a locally common understorey plant of primary forest and old secondary forest. In Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo it is found from sea-level up to 750 m altitude, but in West Java it occurs at 900-1200 m altitude.
Management L. pumila can be propagated by seed and is harvested after 7-8 months. Small-scale planting experiments have been done in Malaysia.
Genetic resources
Since L. pumila is widespread, occurring in both primary and secondary forest, the risk of genetic erosion appears to be limited. However, overcollecting may locally seriously deplete wild populations, e.g. in Peninsular Malaysia.
Prospects
Recent research on pharmacological properties of L. pumila shows weak oestrogenic activity, which may be related to its traditional use as a pre- and post-partum medicine. More research is desirable. The apparently easy propagation and rapid production add to the prospects as a medicinal plant of wider use.
Literature
121, 411, 534, 637, 638, 894.
Other selected sources
62, 264, 334.
Main genus page
Authors
Sriana Azis