Little tree plant (Biophytum sensitivum)
Description
Biophytum sensitivum, also known as little tree plant, is a species of plant in the Oxalidaceae family and in the genus Biophytum. It is commonly found in wet lands of Nepal, tropical India and in other Southeast Asian countries and is used for medicinal purposes in Nepal and in India. The plant is also a common weed in tropical greenhouses. Research has been carried out to elucidate the chemistry, biological activities, and medicinal applications of B. sensitivum. The leaflets of Biophytum sensitivum are able to move rapidly in response to mechanical stimulation such as touch. Chemical analyses have shown that the plant parts are rich in compounds which include amentoflavone, cupressuflavone, and isoorientin. Its extracts are traditionally believed to be antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, radioprotective, chemoprotective, antimetastatic, antiangiogenetic, wound-healing, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, and cardioprotective in nature.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Magnoliopsida
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Order: Oxalidales
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Family: Oxalidaceae
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Genus: Biophytum
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