(Rubiaceae) Mussaenda densiflora H.L. Li

Local name(s): (Teng Buer Kheua)

Medicinal use(s): treat malaria

Part(s) used: root

Field Characters: Vine, bracts white, flower buds white 

Locality: Bolikhamsai province, Paksan district, Somsavath Village, Medicinal Plant Preserve, at 20 km from Paksan city center. GPS reading: 18o 27.331’ N; 103o 48.33’ E.

Habitat: Secondary forest. Remnants of broadleaved evergreen, lowland tropical rain forest, in regeneration from past conversion process.

Altitude: 190 m asl. 

Collector(s): D.D. Soejarto & O. Souliya

Collection number(s): DDS 15027

Collection Date: May 24, 2014

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no. 2313905.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description: 


Plants of the World onlineFlora of China Vol. 19 Pages 232, 233, 235GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Useful references:


Du X, Litifu D, Yuan W, et al. 2024. Discovery of Heinsiagenin a as a Potent Immunosuppressant and Triterpenoid Saponins from Mussaenda Densiflora; 32 pages. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4709934 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4709934 

Du X, Litifu D, Yuan W, et al. N-Containing triterpenoid saponins from Mussaenda densiflora and identification of heinsiagenin A as a potent immunosuppressant. Bioorganic Chemistry 2024, volume 147, 107351. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107351.

Gunasekaran S, Sundaramoorthy S, Sathiavelu M, et al. The genus Mussaenda: A phytopharmacological review. Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research 2015, 7(7):1037-1042. https://www.jocpr.com/articles/the-genus-mussaenda-a-phytopharmacological-review.pdf

Vidyalakshmi, K. & Vasanthi, Hannah Rachel & Rajamanickam, G.V.. (2008). Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Mussaenda Species (Rubiaceae). Ethnobotanical Leaflets 2008, 12:469-475. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41115519_Ethnobotany_Phytochemistry_and_Pharmacology_of_Mussaenda_Species_Rubiaceae