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
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.
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.
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