Phyllagathis rotundifolia

Overview

Phyllagathis rotundifolia is a creeping plant found in Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. This species is widely used as a medicinal plant, especially in Peninsular Malaysia, often used for postpartum care by rural people. This species has also been used as a traditional medicine by the Suku Anak Dalam Jambi. Based on the results of the study, it is known that the leaf extract of Tapak Sulaiman has antibacterial activity that can inhibit E. coli bacteria, while the stem extract can inhibit S. aureus bacteria.

Vernacular Names

No found data on this. Need further research. 

Agroecology

Commonly found in lowland forests, also grows on hillsides and areas of the moist forest floor.  Its growth prefers areas with shaded or partially shaded positions, and requires moist, well-drained soil conditions.

Morphology

• Stems - red color.
• Leaves - unifoliate, round to heart-shaped, measuring 5 - 20 cm long and 4 - 12 cm wide, shiny, covered with fine hairs, dark green.
• Flowers - purple, pink. Head-like inflorescence, short stalk, surrounded by 4 involucral bracts.

Cultivation

Propagated by seeds.

Chemical Constituents

Galloylated cyanogenic glucosides based on prunacin (2',6'-di-O-gallate, prunacin 3',6'-di-O-gallate, prunacin 4',6'-di-O-gallate, runasin 2',3  ',6'-tri-O-gallate, prunacin 3',4',6'-tri-O-gallate, prunacin 2',3',4',6'-tetra-O-gallate), alkyl glycoside,  oct-1-en-3-yl -arabinofuranosyl-(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside, hydrolysable tannin, galotanin, ellagitannin, ellagic acid and aromatic acid derivatives, allic acid, methyl ester, β-glucogallin, 3,6-di-O-galloyl-d-glucose, 1,2,3,6-tetra-O-galloyl-β-d-glucose, strictinin, 6-O-galloyl-2,3-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-d-glucose, praecoxin B, pterocarinin, terpenoid, phenol, lipophilic, alkaloid, and flavonoid.

Traditional Medicinal Uses

• Treating fever or malaria, abdominal pain.
• Used as postnatal care to give strength to the mother.
• Has antibacterial activity.