All about Arrow leaf

arrowleaf

The scientific name of the arrow leaf is Syngonium podophyllum.

Scientific names Common names
Pothos auritus Willd. ex Schult. Syngonium
Syngonium affine Schott American evergreen (Engl.)
Syngonium amazonicum Engl. Arrow leaf (Engl.)
Syngonium decipiens Schott Arrowhead vine (Engl.)
Syngonium gracile (Miq.) Schott Goosefoot plant (Engl.)
Syngonium podophyllum Schott Nephthytis (Engl.)
Syngonium poeppigii Schott Whitefly (Engl.)
Syngonium riedelianum Schott
Syngonium ruizii Schott
Syngonium ternatum Gleason
Syngonium vellzoanum Schott
Syngonium willdenowii Schott
Syngonium xanthophilum Schott
Xanthosoma gracile Miq.
Syngonium podophyllum Schott is an accepted name

 

Other vernacular names
GERMAN: Eselskopf, Fussblatt, Veränderliche Purpurtüte.

Syngonium is a genus of about 36 species of flowering plants in the Araceae family.

Botany

Syngonium podophyllum is a perennial vine growing to a height of 10-20 meters. Petioles are slender. Leaves are arrow-shaped, thin, green and undulating. Leaves change shape as they mature, becoming bigger and lobed.

Distribution

– Recently introduced to the Philippines.

– Native to Mexico and Costa Rica.

Constituents

– Analysis of volatile oil by GC/MS yielded forty-three compounds. Main compounds were alpha-ionone, geranyl acetone, ß-ionone, dithdroactinidiolide, hexadecanoic acid, phytol, and linoleic acid, among others, together with carbonyl chemicals, fatty acid, and hydrocarbon. (8)

Properties

– Studies suggest antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic properties.

– Air-purifying plant.

Parts utilized

Bark, roots.

Uses
Folkloric traditional medicine uses of arrow leaf

• In Belize, roots and bark used in traditional medicine for treatment of superficial and deep wounds.

• In Central American, used for various skin disorders.

Other uses

Indoor Plant / Air Purifier:

One of the plants studied and found effective in helping to remove indoor air pollutants.

Scientific studies on benefits and uses of arrow leaf

Antibacterial:

A study was done on 21 extracts of seven plants used in wound healing, including Syngonium piodophyllum leaves and bark, to evaluate antibacterial properties against strains of E coli, P aeruginosa, S aureus and E faecalis. Almost all the extracts showed some growth inhibition of one or more bacterial strains. Antibacterial activity was reported for the first time for Syngonium podophyllum.

Anti-Inflammatory:

Extracts of seven herbal drugs used in Central American folk medicined were evaluated for their topical antiinflammatory activity against Croton oil-induced ear edema in mice. All the extracts, including S podophyllum induced dose-dependent oedema reduction, presenting potential sources of principles with high anti-inflammatory activity.

Antibacterial / Antioxidant / Cytotoxicity / Hepatotoxic / Leaves:

Study evaluated the in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and cytotoxic potential of Syngonium podophyllum and Eichhornia crassipes leaf aqueous extracts and their in vivo effect of oxidative stress and hepatic biomarkers in isoniazid induced rats. Both extracts showed considerable antibacterial activity against Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, and Bordetella bronchiseptica. SP showed 51% cytotoxicity against lung cancer (NCI-H322) cell line. SP showed a phenolic content of 5.36 ± 0.32 PGE/g. Both showed 13%-65% protection against lipid peroxidation in rat tissue. However the S. podophyllum extract was found to be hepatotoxic.

Cytotoxicity / Leaves:

Study evaluated the cytotoxic potential and phytochemical screening of S. podophyllum leaves and X. safittifolium rhizomes. Among all extracts SP leaves showed the highest cytotoxic potential with LD50 value of 16.67 µg.ml.

Isoschaftoside / Potential Antihypertensive:

Study investigated the in vitro effects of isoschaftoside isolated from Syngonium podophyllum on pig kidney Na+, K+, ATpase. Isoschaftoside significantly decreased renal Na+K+ATpase. Results suggest a promising compound for the treatment of hypertension.

Toxicity / Concerns

• All parts of the plant are considered poisonous and causes severe mouth pain if eaten.

• Araceae contain calcium oxalate crystals, believed to cause intense local irritation on handling or consuming. Some attribute the reaction to other compounds present as the irritation is not seen in properly cooked plants, although the crystal persist after heating.

Availability

Wild-crafted

Read about other interesting fruits

Acai berry        Ambarella         Avocado           Bael       Banana      Bilberry      Cocunut   

 Cantaloupe        Cashew apple      Dragon Fruit    Durian      Fig      Jack fruit   Jamun      

 Kiwi        Lychee      Malay apple     Mango        Mangosteen       Miracle fruit         Pomelo  

 Papaya     Passion fruit     Phalsa      Pineapple           Plum       Pomegranate       

Prickly pear      Quince       Rambutan           Roselle          Santol          Sapota       

Sea buckthorn       Sour Orange     Soursop           Sweet Lime         Star gooseberry 

Star Apple        Strawberry     Surinam Cherry          Sweet lime        Tamarind       Tomato 

Tree tomato      Wampi       Watermelon         Wood apple

Read about herbs and spices

Allspice          Alfalfa       Ashwagandha        Bay leaf              Black cohosh           

Black onion seeds       Black pepper       Cayenne pepper    Celery          Chives       

 Chamomile        Clove     Coffee senna    Coriander       Curry leaf         Cumin        

Eucalyptus       Fennel            Fenugreek       Garlic      Ginger         Gotu Kola       

Hibiscus         Holy basil    Jasmine     Kava Kava     Lavender     Licorice   

Long pepper    Lotus   Majoram      Marigold     Mugwort     Mustard seeds      

 Neem    Nutmeg       Oregano     Peppermint     Red  clover        Rose       Rosemary           

Sage         Sensitive plant   St.John’s wort        Tarragon        Thyme     Triphala powder        

Turmeric     Vetiver grass    Wheat grass      Wild amarnath