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Family Lamiaceae
Tungaw
Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb.
HARLEQUIN GLORY BOWER
Hai zhou chang shan

Scientific names Common names
Clerodendrum fargesii Dode            Tungaw (Tagalog)
Clerodendrum koshunense Hayata            Ferruginous clerodendrum (Engl.)
Clerodendrum serotinum Carriere            Harlequin glory bower (Engl.)
Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb.            Japanese clerodendrum (Engl.)
Clerodendrum trichotomum f. albicarpum Satomi         Peanut butter shrub (Engl.)
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. esculentum Makino             
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. fargesii (Dode) Rehder             
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. ferrugineum Nakai             
Clerodendrum trichotomum f. ferrugineum (Nakai) Ohwi           
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. tomentosum Moldenke             
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. villosum P.S.Hsu             
Clerodendrum trichotomum var. yakusimense (Nakai) Nakai       
Clerodendrum yakusimense (Nakai) Baill.       
Ovieda trichotoma (Thunb.) Nakai             
Siphonanthus trichotomus (Thunb.) Nakai             
Siphonanthus trichotomus var. esculentus (Makino) Nakai             
Siphonanthus trichotomus var. fargesii (Dode) Nakai             
Siphonanthus trichotomus var. ferrugineus (Nakai) Nakai             
Siphonanthus yakusimense Nakai       
Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb. is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
CHINESE: Hai zhou chang shan.
JAPANESE: Kusagi.
MANIPURI: Bp-mana.
OTHERS: Chow wu tong.

Gen info
- Clerodendrum is a genus of flowering plants formerly in the family Verbenaceae, but transferred to Lamiaceae (mint family) in the 1990s, based on phylogenetic analysis of morphological and molecular data.  As of 2022, Plants of the World Online recognizes 258 species in the genus. (4)
- Clerodendrum trichotomum is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae.
- It is cultivated for its fragrant flowers, autumn color, and ornamental berries. (3)

- The variety C. trichotomum var. fargesii (Farges' harlequin glorybower) and the cultivar C. trichotomum var. fargesii 'Carnival' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. (3)
- Etymology: The genus name Clerodendrum derives from Greek words cleros meaning "chance or fate" or "clergy" and dendron meaning "tree". The species epithet trichotomum is also Greek, meaning "three-forked" or "triple-branched". (3)

Botany
• Shrubs or small trees, 1.5–10 m tall. Branchlets lenticellate. Petiole 2–8 cm; leaf blade greenish abaxially and dark green adaxially, ovate-elliptic, triangular-ovate, or ovate, 5–16 × 2–13 cm, papery, base broadly cuneate, truncate, or rarely cordate, margin entire or rarely undulate, apex acuminate, veins 3–5 pairs. Inflorescences axillary or terminal, lax, corymbose cymes, dichotomous, 8–18 cm; peduncle 3–6 cm; bracts elliptic, deciduous. Flowers fragrant. Calyx greenish, becoming purple, deeply 5-lobed; lobes triangular-lanceolate to ovate, acute. Corolla white or pinkish, ca. 2 cm, tube slender; lobes oblong, 5–10 × 3–5 mm. Style shorter than stamens, both exserted. Drupes blue-purple, subglobose, ca. 6–8 mm in diam. (2)

• Clerodendrum trichotomum is a large deciduous shrub, growing 3–6 metres (10–20 ft) high. The leaves are ovate, up to 12 cm (5 in) long, soft and downy or hairy, producing a peanut odor when crushed. Fragrant flowers are borne on branching peduncles. Petals are white, held within a green calyx, which turns red as the fruits ripen. Fruits (drupes) are white, changing to bright blue and eventually dark blue on maturity, and yields a novel blue pigment trichotomine. (3)

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- Also native to
China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Hainan, Japan, Korea, Manchuria, Philippines, Qinghai, Taiwan. (1)

Constituents
- Study of leaves isolated a series of cyclohexylethanoids, incuding two new compounds, 1-hydroxy-1-(8-palmitoyloxyethyl) cyclohexanone   (1) and 5-O-butyl cleroindin D (2), together with five known ones, rengyolone (3), cleroindin C (4), cleroindin B (5), rengyol (6) and isorengyol (7). (see study below) (7)
- Study of stems isolated nine abietane diterpenoids (1-9) from stems of C. trichotomum. Structures were identified as Villosin C (1), Villosin B (2), cyrtophyllone B (3), uncinatone (4), teuvincenone B (5), sugiol (6), teuvincenone F (7), teuvincenone A (8), and teuvincenone H (9). (see study below) (9)
- Study of n-butanol extract of stems of C. trichotomum isolated two new abietane diterpenoids: (4S, 5S, 10S)-12-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy-11-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-19-oic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and (3S, 5S, 10S, 15S)-3β-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy-12-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-11,16-diol (2), along with 5 known terpene glycosides (37). (see study below) (11)
- Phytochemical screening yielded reducing compounds ++, glycosides ++. polyphenols ++, quinones ++, and flavonoids ++, with absence of alkaloids and saponins. (13)
- Study of C. trichotomum isolated seven phenylpropanoid glycosides: acteoside (1), acteoside isomer (2), leucosceptoside A (3), plantainoside C (4), jionoside D (5), martynoside (6) and isomartynoside (7).
(see study below) (14)
- Study of C. trichotomum roots isolated 12 new abietane diterpenoids (1-21) and 31 known analogues (13-43). (see study below) (15)

Properties
- Leaves considered analgesic, antipruritic, sedative, hypotensive.
- Studies have suggest antihyperuricemic, antioxidant, anticancer, hypotensive properties.

Parts used
Roots, leaves, seeds.

Uses

Edibility
- Young sprouts and leaves are edible; cooked.
- In Nepal, the Yakkha community mix young leaves with rice and cooked as vegetable soup, used as blood pressure lowering food item.
Folkloric
- A folk medicine used for treatment of hypertension, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and rheumatic problems.
- Decoction of roots and leaves used for treatment of rheumatism and hypertension.
- Leaves used externally for treatment of dermatitis and internally for treatment of hypertension, rheuumatism, numbness, and paralysis.
- Pounded seeds used to kill lice.
- In Nepal, leaves cooked with rice and eaten for blood pressure lowering effect. Powdered shoots taken daily for treatment of high blood pressure. (13)
Others
- Pigment: The fruits yield a sky-blue pigment when they ripen, which was used to color clothes in sky-blue, and studied for used as food color. (11)

Studies
Antihyperuricemic / Leaves:
Study evaluated the preventive effect of C. trichotomum leaf extract in hyperuricemia induced by potassium oxonate (PO) in mice. The extract at 400 mg/kbw significant reduced serum uric acid, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels and increased urinary uric acid and creatinine levels. The extract ameliorated PO-induced inflammation and apoptosis by reducing levels of relevant proteins in kidney tissues, ameliorated both UA-induced inflammatory response in RAW263.7 cells and UA-induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells. Extract also enriched genes for mediating positive regulation of MAPK cascade and apoptotic signaling pathways. Results suggest the extract effectively prevents hyperuricemia and associated inflammation in PO-induced mice. (5)
Cytotoxic Steroids against HeLa Cell Line / Leaves: Study of leaves isolated five new (2-16) and two known (1 and 7) steroids. Steroids 2 and 5 exhibited moderate in vitro cytotoxicity against HeLa cell line. (6)
Cytotoxicity against A549 Human Tumor Cell Line / Leaves: Study of leaves isolated a series of cyclohexylethanoids, including two new compounds, 1-hydroxy-1-(8-palmitoyloxyethyl) cyclohexanone   (1) and 5-O-butyl cleroindin D (2), together with five known ones, rengyolone (3), cleroindin C (4), cleroindin B (5), rengyol (6) and isorengyol (7). Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated for cytotoxicity against A549 human tumor cell line. (7)
Improvement of Metabolic Derangements in High Fructose-Diet / Leaves: Study evaluated the effect of Ct leaf extract on the metabolic derangements induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by high-fructose (HF) diet. The Ct extract alleviated HF diet-induced insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. In liver tissues, Ct affected signaling pathways of AMP-activated protein kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), sterol regulatory element binding protein 1. Ct enriched genes that may be involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, PPAR-P13Akt signaling pathways, and fatty acid metabolism pathway. Study suggest a promising therapeutic against metabolic disorders. (8)
Cytotoxicity against Cancer Cell Lines / Abietane Diterpenoids / Stems: Study of stems isolated nine abietane diterpenoids (1-9) from stems of C. trichotomum. Structures were identified as Villosin C (1), Villosin B (2), cyrtophyllone B (3), uncinatone (4), teuvincenone B (5), sugiol (6), teuvincenone F (7), teuvincenone A (8), and teuvincenone H (9). All isolated were tested for cytotoxicity against four cancer cell lines: A549, HepG2, MCF-7, and 4T1. Compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 showed remarkable cytotoxic effects with IC50s ranging from 8.79 to 35.46 µM. (see constituents above) (9)
Effects on Blood Pressure and Renal Function: Study evaluated the effect of the plant on blood pressure and renal function in rats. IV administration of the extract elicited renal vasodilation and increased urine flow and urinary sodium excretion. Acute oral administration of the extract reduced blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats but not of normotensive control rats. Chronic administration for 6 weeks prevented increased in blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats. (10)
New Abietane Diterpenoids / Stems: Study of n-butanol extract of stems of C. trichotomum isolated two new abietane diterpenoids: (4S, 5S, 10S)-12-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy-11-hydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-19-oic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1) and (3S, 5S, 10S, 15S)-3β-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy-12-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-11,16-diol (2), along with 5 known terpene glycosides (37). All compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against cultured K562, MCF-7, A549, and HepG2 cell lines. None showed good antitumor activities. (1
2)
Antibacterial / Antioxidant / Stems: Study evaluated five medicinal plants used by one ethnic group in Nepal for phytochemmical, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. The ethanol extract of C. trichotomum and methanol extract of Boehmeria platyphylla showed highest antibacterial and antioxidant activities, respectively. (13)
HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitory Phenylpropanoid Glycosides: Study of C. trichotomum isolated seven phenylpropanoid glycosides: acteoside (1), acteoside isomer (2), leucosceptoside A (3), plantainoside C (4), jionoside D (5), martynoside (6) and isomartynoside (7). Compounds 1 and 2 showed potent inhibitory activities against HIV-1 integrase with IC50s of 7.8 and 13.7 µg, respectively. (14)
Abietane Diterpenoids / NO Inhibitory Activity / Roots: Study of C. trichotomum roots isolated 12 new abietane diterpenoids (1-21) and 31 known analogues (13-43). Eight diterpenoids, 15,16-dehydroteuvincenone G (1), trichotomin A (4), 2α-hydrocaryopincaolide F (7), villosin C (20), 15-dehydro-17-hydroxycyrtophyllone A (22), demethylcryptojaponol (38), 6β-hydroxydemethylcryptojaponol (39), and trichotomone (43), exerted inhibitory effects against NO production with IC50 values of 5.6–16.1 μM. (15)

Availability
Wild-crafted.


March 2024

                                                 PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: Hedyotis costata / Clerodendrum trichotomum / © Shizhao / Non-commericla use / Image modified / Click on image or link to go to source page / Sheffield's Seed
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Clerodendrum trichotomum / Wendy Cutler / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Cliick on image or link to go to source page / Wikipedia
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Clerodendrum trichotomum fruits / Katherine Wagner-Reiss / CC BY-SA 4.0 International / Cliick on image or link to go to source page / Wikimedia Commons
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Clerodendrum trichotomum / © OSU Landscape Plants / Non-commercial use / Click on image of link to go to source page / OSU: Oregon State: Landscape Plants

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Clerodendrum trichotomum / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(2)
Clerodendrum / Flora of China
(3)

Clerodendrum trichotomum / Wikipedia
(4)
Clerodendrum / Wikipedia
(5)
Prevention of Hyperuricemia by Clerodendrum trichotomum Leaf Extract in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Mice / Mi Gyeong Jang, Hana Song, Ji Hye Kim, Se-Jae Kim et al / Development & Reproduction, 2020; 24(2): pp 89-100 / PMID: 32734126 / DOI: 10.12717/DR.2020.24.2.89
(6)
New cytotoxic steroids from the leaves of Clerodendrum trichotomum / Rui-Lan Xu, Rui Wang, Lan Ding, Yan-Ping Shi / Steroids, 2013; 78(7): pp 711-716 / DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2013.03.002
(7)
New cyclohexylethanoids from the leaves of Clerodendrum trichotomum / Rui-Lan Xu, Rui Wang, Wei Ha, Yan-Ping Shi et al / Phytochemistry Letters, 2014; Vol 7: pp 111-113 / DOI: 10.1016/j.phytol.2013.10.010
(8)
Clerodendrum trichotomum extract improves metabolic derangements in high fructose diet-fed rats / Mi Gyeong Jang, Jung Min Oh, Hee Chul Ko, Jae-Won Kim, Songyee Baek, Yeong Jun Jin, Sung-Pyo Hur, Se-jae Kim / Animal Cells and Systems (Seoul), 2021; 25(6): pp 396-404 / PMID: 35059139 /
DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2021.2004221
(9)
Abietane Diterpenoids from Clerodendrum trichotomum and Correction of NMR Data of Villosin C and B / Linzhen Li, Long Wu, Menghua Wang, Jianbo Sun, Jingyu Liang / NPC: Natural Product Communications, 2014; 9(7): pp 907-910
(10)
Effects of extract from Clerodendron trichotomum on blood pressure and renal function in rats and dogs / Guang-Wei Lu, Katsuyuki Miura, Tokihito Yukimura, Kenjiro Yanamoto / Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1994; 42(2): pp 77-82 / DOI: 10.1016/0378-8741(94)90100-7
(11)
Clerodendron trichotomum Thunb.: Blue Pigment Production for Food Color / T Ichi, T Shimizu, K Yoshihira / Medicinal and Aromatic Plants IX: Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Vol 37: pp 108-126/ DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-08618-6_8
(12)
Two New Abietane Diterpenes From the Stems of Clerodendrum trichotomum Thunb /  Lin-Zhen Li, Yu Zhang, Yong-Jun Li /  Natural Products Communications, 2022; 17(9) /
DOI: 10.1177/1934578X221125053
(13)
Scientific validation of medicinal plants used by Yakkha community of Chanuwa VDC, Dhankuta, Nepal / Bimala Subba, Chitranjan Srivastav, Ram Chandra Kandel / SpringerPlus. 2016; Article 155 /
DOI: 10.1186/x40064-016-1821-5
(14)
HIV-1 integrase inhibitory phenylpropanoid glycosides from Clerodendron trichotomum / HJ Kim, ER Woo, CG Shin, DJ Hwang, H Park, YS Lee /  Archives of Pharmacal Research, 2001, 24: pp 286-291
(15)
Abietane Diterpenoids from the Roots of Clerodendrum trichotomum and Their Nitric Oxide Inhibitory Activities /  Hai-Jun Hu, Yue Zhou, Zhu-Zhen Han, Yan-Hong Shi, Shu-Sheng Zhang, Zheng-Tao Wang, Li Yang / J Nat Prod., 2018; 81(7): pp 1508-1516 / DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.7b00814

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)

                                                            List of Understudied Philippine Medicinal Plants
                                          New plant names needed
The compilation now numbers over 1,300 medicinal plants. While I believe there are hundreds more that can be added to the collection, they are becoming more difficult to find. If you have a plant to suggest for inclusion, native or introduced, please email the info: scientific name (most helpful), local plant name (if known), any known folkloric medicinal use, and, if possible, a photo. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

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