Miliusa tomentosa: a comprehensive review

Shaikh Wahed*, Shaikh Ujer Rafik

JIIU's Ali Allana College of Pharmacy, Akkalkuwa, Dist: Nandurbar, Maharashtra.

Email id: shaikhwahedshaikhjaved@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71431/IJRPAS.2025.44056   

        Introduction:

Globally, individuals have been widely utilizing herbal plants and their products for health-related purposes. It is evident that aromatic medicinal plants have been thoroughly examined as a vital source of commercial medications due to their extensive traditional applications and pharmacological effectiveness. Natural products are also acknowledged as some of the richest sources for novel drugs and/or drug prototypes, attributed to their high structural variability that is not obtainable via synthetic methods. The genus Miliusa (family: Annonaceae) includes approximately 60 species and is predominantly indigenous to regions from India and Bhutan to Australia and New Guinea, with a significant presence in several Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, and China.

Over thirty recently identified rare secondary metabolites, which are derivatives of geranylated homogentisic acid, particularly the series of new miliusanes , can be perceived as distinctive markers for recognizing plants belonging to the genus Miliusa.

The phytoconstituents derived from Miliusa species have been investigated for their cytotoxic effects, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, activation of cardiac myosin ATPase, as well as, antifungal, anticancer antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant, anti-herpes properties. [1,2,3]       

      Taxonomy:

Kingdom       : Plantae                                                 

Subkingdom    : Tracheoblonata

Super division: Spermatophyta

Division         : Magnoliphyta

Class          : Magnoliopsida

Subclass       : Magnoliidae

Order          : Magnoliales

Family         : Annonaceae

Genus         : Miliusa

Species        : Miliusa tomentosa [4-5]

Synonyms:    Saccopetalum tomentosum, Uvaria tomentosa [6]

Regional name:

common name: hoom

Gujarati: umbh, umbho, umph

Hindi: hoom, kari

Kannada: kari hesare, kaalaadri, wumb.

Konkani: hoom, vhumb

Malayalam: kaithamaavu, kanakkaita, thavidi.

Marathi: humb, thoska

Odia: gandhapalash, gandhasalia

Tamil: periyavaay

Telugu: barre duduga, budda duduga, gadida lotta, pedda chiluka duduga. [6]

Description:

Biological source: Miliusa tomentosa family: Annonaceae

Large deciduous trees reaching 15-20 m in height;

Bark Description: The bark is 15-25 mm thick, dark brown to black in color, with vertical grooves along its surface. The inner bark has a yellowish hue, while the younger sections are covered with fine hairs (tomentum).

Leaf Description: The leaves are simple, arranged alternately in two rows. The petiole is thin, covered with fine hairs, and measures between 2 and 6 mm in length. The leaf blade ranges from 8-17 cm long and 2-10 cm wide, displaying an ovate to oblong-ovate shape. The base can be wedge-shaped, rounded, or slightly pointed. The tip is sharp, while the edges are smooth and have a papery texture. When young, the upper surface is covered with dense hairs but becomes smooth as it matures, except for the midrib, which remains hairy underneath. The leaf contains 8-10 pairs of lateral veins that are pinnate, delicate, and distinctly visible on the lower side. The smaller veins form a net-like pattern, and intramarginal veins are also present.

Flowers: These flowers are bisexual and have a greenish-yellow color. They can grow alone or in small clusters, usually opposite the leaves or near the branch tips. Their stalks (pedicels) are thin, 3-7 cm long, and covered in fine hairs. Each flower has three sepals, about 5 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, shaped like narrow lances, and covered in a soft fuzz. There are six petals in total, arranged in two sets of three. The outer petals resemble the sepals, are narrow and lance-shaped, 4-7 mm long, and have a fuzzy texture. The inner petals are broader, oblong, and slightly swollen at the base. They measure about 1.5-2 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width, with a soft fuzz on both sides. The outer petals are shorter than the inner ones. The flowers have numerous stamens, with tiny pointed structures (connectives) that leave the anthers exposed. There are also multiple carpels, each with a stalk, ovate shape, and covered in brown fuzz. Each carpel contains 4-6 ovules arranged in two rows. There is no visible style, and the stigma is rounded.

Fruit: The fruit is a cluster of small, berry-like structures, each about 2.5 cm across. It is nearly round but slightly tapers at the base. The berries are juicy and purple when ripe. They grow on a thick stalk, about 1-1.5 cm long. Each fruit usually contains 4-5 seeds. [7]

Statewise availability: This plant is commonly found in several states across India, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. [8]

Distribution and habitat:

The Hoom plant is native to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Within India, it grows in several states, including Rajasthan, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It thrives mainly in the Western Ghats and Eastern Ghats, where it is commonly found in tropical dry deciduous to tropical moist deciduous forests at altitudes ranging between 200-400 meters.

In the Western Ghats, it is specifically found in areas like Kurli, Talkat Ghat, and Padshapur in Belgaum district. In Madhya Pradesh, it grows in Balaghat, Bilaspur, Hoshangabad, Indore, Jabalpur, Mandla, Raigarh, Rewa, Seoni, and Shahdol, mostly within deciduous forests. In Maharashtra, it is frequently seen in moist deciduous forests. The plant is also common in the forests of eastern Rajasthan. In Gujarat, it is occasionally found in dry deciduous forests but is more commonly seen in moist deciduous forests of South Gujarat.

       Phytochemical constituents:

Researchers have identified over 200 different chemical compounds in the Hoom plant, including a variety of alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, neolignans, terpenoids, and phenolic compounds. Some notable bioactive components include geranylated homogentisic acids, acetogenins, styryls, lactones, amides, alcohols, and furfural derivatives.

This plant is particularly known for producing unique miliusanes and bicyclic lactones. Its essential oils contain a high concentration of caryophyllene, which is a common compound in medicinal plants. Additionally, important antioxidants and bioactive compounds like ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), quercetin, cynarine, pentagalloyl glucose, syringaldehyde, thymol, ellagic acid, isorhamnetin, and benzoic acid have been discovered. These compounds contribute to the plant’s potential medicinal properties, making it valuable in traditional and modern medicine.

Alkaloids:

Alkaloids have long been recognized as important natural compounds. Their concentration in plants can vary significantly based on environmental factors and the plant parts used. According to Aniszewski (2007), higher plants can contain alkaloids in amounts ranging from 10-25%. Miliusa tomentosa is particularly rich in alkaloids, with its main types including aporphine and sporphine-based compounds like astmilobine and 10-hydroxyltriodenine. It also contains tetrahydroisoquinoline and quinolone alkaloids such as coclaurine and N-methylcorydaldine, as well as azafluorenone alkaloids, notably kinabatine. Interestingly, the leaves of Miliusa tomentosa are a significant source of oxo-protoberberine alkaloids, making them valuable for phytochemical research.

Geranylated homogentisic acid derivatives:

Homogentisic acids are commonly found in both terrestrial plants and bacterial pathogens. These compounds have shown strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, excessive accumulation of homogentisic acid in the body can lead to a condition known as alkaptonuria, which is associated with the "alkapton" sensation.

Flavonoids:

Studies on Miliusa tomentosa have also revealed the presence of flavonoids, another important class of plant metabolites. Research conducted on various species, including M. balansae, M. cuneata, M. fragrans, M. mallis, M. stoneensis, M. smithiae, M. thorelii, M. umpangensis, and M. velutina, confirmed that flavonoids are present in leaves, twigs, branches, stems, and roots. One of the key structural findings is that Milliusa species produce janlated flavonoid derivatives, which contribute to their unique chemical makeup.

Lignans and neolignans:

Phytochemical analysis has identified four lignans and twenty-four neolignans in S. tomentosum, with a primary focus on isolating biologically active compounds from the Miliusa genus. Interestingly, these phytochemicals are present in three main parts of the plant: leaves, stems, and twigs. The chemical composition of Miliusa tomentosa includes geranylated homogentisic acids, protoberberine alkaloids, and flavonoids, in addition to well-known lignans such as (+) gyvingarestnol..

Acetogenins and lartones:

Acetogenins, known for their promising biological properties, are another important class of compounds found in this plant. The Annonaceae family, to which Miliusa tomentosa belongs, is particularly known for its diverse acetogenins and related compounds. Except for goniothalamusin, most of the acetogenins isolated from M. velutina were found in bark, stem bark, flowers, and leaves. These compounds are characterized by their ability to form one or two triple bonds in a long aliphatic side chain, which ends with a hydroxy (or methoxy) lactone unit, methyl group, or double bond.

Styryls:

Among the plant’s secondary metabolites, styryl derivatives have drawn significant interest from researchers. Chromatographic analysis of polar extracts from the leaves and branches of S. tomentosum, which is widely distributed in Vietnam and China, led to the discovery of two new mono-styryl compounds:

·         3,4-dimethoxy-6-styryl-pyran-2-one

·         (21.5E)-2-methoxy-4-one-6-phenyl-hexa-2.5-dienoic acid methyl ester

For bis-styryl compounds, the cyclobutyl nucleus serves as a common structural feature, while the side chains contain phenyl rings, pyrone rings, and unsaturated ketones.

Terpenoids and phenols:

Phytochemical research on the Miliusa genus, especially S. tomentosum, has focused on identifying terpenoids and phenolic compounds. The plant contains nor-sesquiterpenoids of the megastigmane type, monophenols, and their glycosides. Through advanced chromatographic techniques, researchers have identified disaccharide units such as D-glucopyranosyl and L-rhamnosyl, which are characteristic of this genus. While aglycones of terpenoids and phenols are primarily produced from phenylethanoid nuclei, their D-glucopyranosyl derivatives serve as glycone components, linking these compounds to various biological activities.                                                                                             

Amine, amide, alcohol derivatives and miscellaneous types:

A phytochemical study conducted by Yu et al. (2009) revealed that the leaves of Miliusa tomentosa from China contained a unique amine compound, identified as adenine ribonide. These compounds were initially extracted as isolated substances from the Miliusa genus, although they are now recognized as naturally occurring in various wild plants. Additionally, three tyramine derivatives, including N-trans-caffeoyl tyramine, were successfully separated using silica gel chromatography (63-200 μm) and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography.

Essential oils:

Research on the essential oils of Cis still limited, with only a few studies reported so far. One analysis of the Vietnamese M. balloni species found that citral was the dominant component, making up 41.2% of the total 46 volatile compounds extracted from fresh leaves in Quang Binh. Another study on the M. sinensis species, found in Nghe An, Vietnam, suggested that this plant could be a significant source of essential oils. In particular, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons accounted for 67.1% of the total 95.1% essential oil content. These findings highlight the potential importance of Miliusa tomentosa essential oils in natural product research. [9-2]

 pharmacological activities:

Anti-Carcinogenic & Women's Health Benefits:

The gum extracted from the bark of Miliusa tomentosa is traditionally used as a cough suppressant, sedative, and cooling agent. It is also utilized in managing gonorrhea and respiratory conditions. In Chinese medicine, dried flowers and leaves are recognized as stimulants, while Miliusa tomentosa oil has been identified for its antibacterial and pain-relieving properties. Though not widely commercialized, the fruits are consumed in certain parts of India, and the tree produces karee gum, a pale yellow resin. Additionally, the wood is commonly used for making beds and rafters. The fruits are believed to enhance stamina in children and help treat respiratory ailments. The tree also serves as a host plant for butterfly larvae, playing a crucial role in pollination.

Cytotoxic activity:

The Miliusa tomentosa plant contains various bioactive compounds that exhibit cytotoxic properties. Previous studies on M. velutina species have identified acetogenin A as the most potent compound, with an LC90 value of 7.1 μg/mL, followed by acetogenin B (14.1 μg/mL), vincristine (15.0 μg/mL), and goniothalamusin (20.0 μg/mL). Compared to the reference drug doxorubicin (1.05 μM), nine newly discovered acetogenins (cananginones A) exhibited weaker IC50 values of 16.6 μM.

Anticancer activity:

Cytotoxic properties of Miliusa tomentosa have been linked to anticancer research. Three geranylated homogentisic acid derivatives—(+)-millusate, (+)-miliusane 1, and (+)-miliusol—exhibited promising activity against the NCI-60 human cancer cell panel, particularly against the HCT116 colorectal cancer cell line. Their GI50 values ranged from 0.03 to 4.79 μM, indicating potent anticancer effects. Further studies showed that (+)-miliusol could reduce HCT116 xenograft tumors in mice by 72.7% within 21 days at a dosage of 20 mg/kg, suggesting its mechanism involves p21-dependent cellular senescence rather than apoptosis.

Antimalarial activity:

Certain flavonoids in Miliusa tomentosa exhibit antimalarial activity, particularly due to methylation at the 5-OH position and methoxylation at carbon C-6. Structural modifications, such as hydroxylation and methoxylation of the caffeoyl unit, further enhance their potency.

Anti-Inflammatory activity:

Inflammation is a biological response to potential threats like physical injury, infection, metabolic imbalances, or radiation exposure. Since excessive nitric oxide (NO) production is linked to inflammation and modern diseases (e.g., cardiovascular and neurological disorders), compounds that reduce NO generation are considered promising anti-inflammatory agents.

Antiherpetic activity:

Methanol extracts from the stem and leaves of Miliusa tomentosa exhibited strong antiviral activity against HSV-1 and HSV-2, with IC50 values ranging from 60-80 μg/mL at a dosage of 100 μg/mL. This suggests potential use in the development of herpes treatments.

Enzyme acetylcholine inhibitory activity:

Only one study has evaluated the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity of Miliusa tomentosa secondary metabolites. Findings suggest that alkaloids are more effective inhibitors than flavonoids. The inhibitory activity of newly discovered oxo-protoberberine alkaloids and previously known ones ranged from 27.93% to 50.17%, suggesting potential applications in neurodegenerative disease treatments (e.g., Alzheimer's disease).

Cardiac activity:

The flavanol Chrysosplenol C, isolated from S. tomentosum, plays a crucial role in enhancing cardiac contractility in rat ventricular myocytes. Compared to the reference drug omecamtiv mecarbil (59.3% ± 2.60% at 400 nM and 80.4% ± 2.89% at 10 nM), Chrysosplenol C increased:

·         Ventricular cell contractility by 53.0% ± 4.07% at 50 μM.

·         Cardiac myosin ATPase activity by 28.1% ± 1.20% at 10 μM.

These findings suggest its potential use as a cardiotonic agent for congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmia.  [9]

         Medicinal uses:

ü  In Chinese traditional medicine, Miliusa tomentosa oil is valued for its antibacterial and analgesic effects.

ü  The tree produces karee gum, a pale-yellow resin with traditional and commercial applications.

ü  In parts of India, the fruits are consumed and believed to enhance stamina in children while also treating respiratory ailments.

ü  The wood is commonly used for making beds and rafters.

ü  The tree serves as a host plant for butterfly larvae, playing a crucial role in pollination.

CONCLUSION:

Miliusa tomentosa, a valuable medicinal plant from the Annonaceae family, exhibits a diverse range of pharmacological properties due to its rich phytochemical profile. The plant contains various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics, which contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective effects. Given the increasing concerns regarding synthetic antioxidants and their potential health risks, M. tomentosa presents a promising natural alternative for pharmaceutical and therapeutic applications. Further research is essential to isolate and characterize its active constituents, explore possible synergistic interactions, and validate its traditional medicinal uses through clinical studies. This will enhance its potential for drug development and its broader application in modern medicine.

Acknowledgement:

We would like to express my special gratitude to Dr.GJ.Khan , Principal , JIIU’S Ali Allana College of Pharmacy Akkalkuwa and Management of Jamia Islamia Ishaatul Uloom Akkalkuwa for their continuous motivation and providing all necessary facilities during completion of this work .

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