Physena madagascariensis

Family

Physenaceae

Synonyms

Vernacular names

Origin and geographic distribution

Physena madagascariensis is endemic to Madagascar.

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Uses

All parts of Physena madagascariensis are bitter, and much used in traditional medicine. A leaf infusion is commonly drunk to treat lower back-ache. A leaf decoction is taken for its diuretic and soothing properties. A stem bark decoction is commonly taken to treat fever, malaria, spleen enlargement, a sore throat, and as a calming and sedative agent, stimulant and fortifier. A decoction of the aerial parts or the leaves is taken to treat all types of severe intestinal problems, which are combined with abundant diarrhoea. The crushed stem, stem bark and roots in water are taken to treat anaemia. A wood decoction or infusion is taken to treat a sore throat. Crushed wood is applied to furuncles and stubborn skin infections. The crushed roots are applied to teeth to treat tooth-ache and to ulcers caused by venereal diseases. The stem bark is rubbed on the skin to prevent bites of bloodsuckers.

Properties

A preliminary phytochemical analysis of an aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the leaves yielded alkaloids, triterpenes, saponins, tannins, polyphenols and flavonoids. From the leaves the saponoside physenoside was isolated. From an ethanolic extract of the twigs, leaves, and flowers the remangiflavanones A–E were isolated together with (E)-N-feruloyltyramine. Remangiflavanones A et B showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Listeria monocytogenes and Enterococcus sp. Remangiflavanone C showed significant cytotoxicity against the A2780 human ovarian cancer cell line with an IC₅₀ value of 2.5 μg/ml. From the dried leaves several 24,28-dinorolean-3-one derivatives, remangilones A–C, were isolated. Remangilones A and C showed significant cytotoxicity against 2 human breast cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis at concentrations of 2.3 μM.
From a methanolic seed extract several toxic saponosides were isolated. The LD₅₀ is 42.6–46.4 mg/kg in mice. The extract caused histological lesions mainly characterized by a hemorrhage in kidneys and lungs, and a vascular congestion in liver, heart, intestine and brain. It also showed haemolytic activity on sheep red cells, toxicity to young fish and tadpoles, but did not have any effect on mosquito larvae. The crude seed extract further inhibited seed germination and growth of young rice and bean plants. The methanolic and crude seed extract both inhibited the growth of Listeria utelshii on a solid medium.

Description

Large shrub or small tree up to 5(–10) m tall; all parts glabrous. Leaves alternate, simple and entire; stipules absent; petiole 6–10 mm long; blade ovate-lanceolate to oblong-lanceolate, 7.5–12 cm × 1.8–4.2 cm, base broadly cuneate, apex acute to acuminate, leathery, pinnately veined with numerous lateral veins. Inflorescence a lax axillary raceme, 5–12-flowered. Flowers unisexual; pedicel 10–14 mm long; sepals 5–7, unequal, ovate, c. 2 mm long, persistent in fruit, petals absent, male flowers with 13–18 stamens, anthers 6–8 mm long; female flower with superior ovary, ovoid, with 2 styles each c. 1 mm long. Fruit a dry, almost globular drupe, c. 3 cm × c. 2.5 cm, 2-seeded; endocarp spongy. Seed rounded or kidney-shaped, 1.5–2.2 cm in diameter, seemingly with 1 thick cotyledon.

Other botanical information

Physena comprises 2 species, both endemic to Madagascar. Physena possesses an unusual combination of primitive and advanced character states of vegetative and reproductive morphology that suggests different patterns of relationships depending upon emphasis. A satisfactory placement of the family in the general system of classification remains therefore uncertain.
Physena sessiliflora Tul. occurs in dry forest. Crushed roots are applied to teeth to treat tooth-ache. From a methanol extract of the leaves 8 triterpene glycosides, physenosides, were isolated. Physenoside S7 and S8 showed significant cytotoxic activities in the brine shrimp lethality assay.

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Growth and development

Physena madagascariensis flowers and fruits from November to April.

Ecology

Physena madagascariensis occurs in humid evergreen forest to dry forest, from sea-level up to 2000 m altitude.

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Genetic resources and breeding

Physena madagascariensis is very common throughout Madagascar and is not in danger of genetic erosion.

Prospects

Despite its reputation in traditional medicine, and the relevance of the phytochemical and pharmacological results so far, no steps have been taken to valorise this species on a national level. More research is needed to evaluate its potential as an antibacterial and antitumour agent.

Major references

• Andrianjakanirina, L.M., 2004. Etude chimique et toxicologique d’extraits de graines de Physena madagascariensis (Physenaceae). Mémoire de DEA de Biochimie, Option Biochimie appliquée aux Sciences medicales, Departement de Biochimie fondamentale et appliquée, Faculté des Sciences, Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar. 75 pp.
• Beaujard, P., 1988. Plantes et médecine traditionelle dans le Sud-Est de Madagascar. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 23(2–3): 165–265.
• Boiteau, P., Boiteau, M. & Allorge-Boiteau, L., 1999. Dictionnaire des noms malgaches de végétaux. 4 Volumes + Index des noms scientifiques avec leurs équivalents malgaches. Editions Alzieu, Grenoble, France.
• Cao, S., Norris, A., Miller, J.S., Ratovoson, F., Birkinshaw, C., Andriantsiferana, R., Rasamison, V.E., Rakotonandrasana, S. & Kingston, D.G.I., 2006. Cytotoxic compounds of Physena madagascariensis from the madagascar rainforest. Natural Product Research 20(13): 1157–1163.
• Deng, Y.,Tianasoa-Ramamonjy, M. & Snyder, J.K., Remangilone D: a new bisnoroleanane triterpene, and a new flavone from Physena madagascariensis. Zeitschrift für Naturforschung B, 56b: 1079–1083.
• Deng, Y., Lee, J.P., Tianasoa-Ramamonjy, M., Snyder, J.K., Des Etages, S.A., Kanada, D., Snyder, M.P. & Turner, C.J., 2000. New antimicrobial flavanones from Physena madagascariensis. Journal of Natural Products 63: 1082–1089.
• Pernet, R. & Meyer, G., 1957. Pharmacopeé de Madagascar. Publications de l’Institut de Recherche Scientifique Tananarive-Tsimbazaza. Pierre André Impr., Paris, France. 86 pp.
• Perrier de la Bâthie, H., 1946. Flacourtiacées (Flacourtiaceae). Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (plantes vasculaires), famille 140. Imprimerie Officielle, Tananarive, Madagascar. 131 pp.
• Ramiliarison, C., 1980. Contribution à l’étude chimique d’une saponoside de Physena madagascariensis. Thèse de Doctorat de Troisième Cycle, Centre Universitaire Régional d’Antananarivo, Université de Madagascar. 130 pp.

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Other references

• Andriamihaja, S., 1984. Essai d’inventaire des plantes médicino-dentaires malgaches. Bulletin de l’Académie Malgache Madagascar. pp. 171–227.
• Boiteau, P., 1986. Médecine traditionnelle et pharmacopée. Précis de matière médicale malgache. Agence de coopération culturelle et technique, Paris, France. 141 pp.
• Debray, M., Jacquemin, H. & Razafindrambao, R., 1971. Contribution à l’inventaire des plantes médicinales de Madagascar. Travaux et Documents No 8. ORSTOM, Paris, France. 150 pp.
• Deng, Y., Jiang, T.-Y., Sheng, S., Tianasoa-Ramamonjy, M. & Snyder, J.K., 1999. Remangilones A-C, new cytotoxic triterpenes from Physena madagascariensis. Journal of Natural Products 62(3): 471–476.
• Dickison, W.C. & Miller, R.B., 1993. Morphology and anatomy of the Malagasy genus Physena (Physenaceae), with a discussion of the relationships of the genus. Bulletin du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle Section B Adansonia Botanique Phytochimie 15(1–4): 85–106.
• Inoue, M., Ohtani, K., Kasai, R., Okukubo, M., Andriantsiferana, M., Yamasaki, K. & Koike, T., 2009. Cytotoxic 16-ß-[(d-xylopyranosyl)oxy]oxohexadecanyl triterpene glycosides from a Malagasy plant, Physena sessiliflora. Phytochemistry 70(9): 1195–1202.
• Kaufmann, J.C. & Elvin Lewis, M., 1995. Towards a logic of ethnodentistry at Antongobe, southwestern Madagascar. Economic Botany 49(2): 213–333.
• Morton, C.M., Karol, K.G. & Chase, M.W., 1997. Taxonomic affinities of Physena (Physenaceae) and Asteropeia (Theaceae). Botanical Review 63(3): 231–239.
• Rakotoarivelo, A., 1996. Phytothérapie en pathologie traumatique courante dans trois villages de la province de Fianarantsoa 2, commune d’Ivoamba, villages d’Ampotamena, d’Antombadinana et de Marirano. Thèse pour l'obtention du grade de Docteur en médecine, Etablissement d'Enseignement Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Faculté de Médecine Université d'Antananarivo, Madagascar. 43 pp.
• Rakotobe, E.A., Rasolomanana, C.J.C. & Randrianasolo, S.S.S., 1993. Pharmacopées de l’Ambongo et du Boina. Centre d’Information et de Documentation Scientifique et Technique CIDST, Antananarivo, Madagascar. 728 pp.
• Rasoanaivo, P., Petitjean, A., Ratsimamanga-Urverg, S. & Rakoto-Ratsimamanga, A., 1992. Medicinal plants used to treat malaria in Madagascar. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 37: 117–127.
• Razafindramana, M.E., 1996. Les pathologies et la phytothérapie de la région d’Anjeva-gare. Thèse pour l’obtention du grade de Docteur en médecine, Etablissement d’Enseignement Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Faculté de Médecine Université d’Antananarivo, Madagascar. 76 pp.
• Schatz, G.E., 2001. Generic tree flora of Madagascar. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 477 pp.

Afriref references

Sources of illustration

• Perrier de la Bâthie, H., 1946. Flacourtiacées (Flacourtiaceae). Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (plantes vasculaires), famille 140. Imprimerie Officielle, Tananarive, Madagascar. 131 pp.

Author(s)

•	S. Rakotonandrasana Centre National d’Application des Recherches Pharmaceutiques, B.P. 702, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
•	V. Rasamison Centre National d’Application des Recherches Pharmaceutiques, B.P. 702, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar

Editors

•	G.H. Schmelzer PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
•	A. Gurib-Fakim Faculty of Science, University of Mauritius, Réduit, Mauritius

Associate editors

•	R. Arroo Leicester School of Pharmacy, Natural Products Research, De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester LE1 9BH, United Kingdom

Correct citation of this article

Rakotonandrasana, S. & Rasamison, V., 2011. Physena madagascariensis Thouars ex Tul. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed .

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