KJC Medicinal Garden
hoovu(gaLu)
Clusia rosea
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Clusiaceae
Genus: Clusia
Species: C. rosea Jacq.
Common Names: Autograph tree, Copey cupey, Balsam apple
Native to Caribbean, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Florida and Hispaniola
Other plants of the same genus with medicinal properties
-
C. nemorosa
C. fluminensis
C. grandiflora
C. hilariana
C. latipes
- Trees upto 10m tall or more
- It is a hemiepiphyte. It grows as an epiphyte on other rocks and trees at the start of his life.
- Flowers are pistillate. The petals are pink to white.
- It produces a fleshy, light green but poisonous fruit.
- Seeds are formed through agamospermy.
Uses in Tradition systems of medicine
- Used in ointments to treat sores and wounds.
- It is used to relieve toothache and calluses on the feet.
- Decoctions of bark and fruit rind are applied to calm rheumatic pain.
- Resinous latex is used as plaster.
- Fruit – poisonous
Suggested Medicinal Properties
- Inhibits the cytopathic effects of in-vitro human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Anticancer
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antioxidant
- Antifungal
Active Phytochemicals
1. Alkaloids
2. Saponins
3. Glycosides
4. Tanins
5. Phenolic compounds
Nemorosone ((1R,5R,7S)-1-benzoyl-4-hydroxy-8,8-dimethyl-3,5,7-tris(3-methylbut-2-enyl)bicyclo[3.3.1]non-3-ene-2,9-dione)
The floral resin of Clusia rosea yields Nemorosone, one of the major phyto-constituent.
References
IUCN SSC Global Tree Specialist Group & Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI). "Clusia rosea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T136312479A152905887.
Cuesta, Osmany et al. Nemorosone, the Major Constituent of Floral Resins of Clusia rosea. Phytochemistry. 57 (2001):279-83. 10.1016/S0031-9422(00)00510-0.
Abegunde, Segun et al. Chemical analysis and antibacterial activities of Calotropis procera and Clusia rosea leaves extracts. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 12. (2020): 25-30. 10.30574/gscbps.2020.12.1.0175.