Mallotus oppositifolius | |
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At University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malpighiales |
Family: | Euphorbiaceae |
Genus: | Mallotus |
Species: | M. oppositifolius |
Binomial name | |
Mallotus oppositifolius | |
Varieties | |
M. oppositifolius var. genuinus |
Mallotus oppositifolius is a plant species in the genus Mallotus found in Africa and Madagascar.
The variety Mallotus oppositifolius var. lindicus is classified in the IUCN red list of vulnerable species of plants. [2]
The aqueous and ethanol extracts of the plant show antifungal properties, [3] and anti parasitic activity against blastocystis hominis. [4] The bioassay-guided fractionation of an ethanol extract of the leaves and inflorescence of M. oppositifolius collected in Madagascar led to the isolation of the two new bioactive dimeric phloroglucinols mallotojaponins B and C, together with mallotophenone. These compounds show antiproliferative and antiplasmodial (antimalarial) activities. [5] Two components of M. oppositifolius leaf extract, MTX and isovaleric acid, synergistically activate heteromeric KCNQ2/3 (potassium) channels, indicating the molecular mechanism behind the anticonvulsant properties of this widely used African traditional medicine [6]