Herb Overview: Christia vespertilionis (Mariposa Christia)
Botanical & Ethnobotanical Profile
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Belonging to the Fabaceae family, Christia vespertilionis is a perennial herb with compound leaves—its terminal leaflet shaped like a boomerang and leaves flutter in the breeze, resembling butterflies DefaultTropical Plants.
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Native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, possibly Myanmar) and naturalized elsewhere DefaultTropical Plants.
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Belonging to the Fabaceae family, Christia vespertilionis is a perennial herb with compound leaves—its terminal leaflet shaped like a boomerang and leaves flutter in the breeze, resembling butterflies DefaultTropical Plants.
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Native to Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia, China, possibly Myanmar) and naturalized elsewhere DefaultTropical Plants.
Traditional Uses (Folkloric Medicine)
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The whole plant has traditionally been used to treat tuberculosis and snakebites Tropical PlantsDefault.
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Crushed leaves are applied topically to heal bone fractures, relieve skin conditions, as well as aid in tonsillitis, colds, muscle weakness, bronchitis, and improving blood circulation StuartXchangePMC.
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Decoctions or teas of the plant are consumed for ailments like gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and even purported anti-cancer benefits in Malaysia StuartXchangePMCRJPTResearchGate.
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The whole plant has traditionally been used to treat tuberculosis and snakebites Tropical PlantsDefault.
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Crushed leaves are applied topically to heal bone fractures, relieve skin conditions, as well as aid in tonsillitis, colds, muscle weakness, bronchitis, and improving blood circulation StuartXchangePMC.
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Decoctions or teas of the plant are consumed for ailments like gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, and even purported anti-cancer benefits in Malaysia StuartXchangePMCRJPTResearchGate.
Phytochemistry & Nutrients
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The plant is rich in flavonoids, phenols, sterols, fatty acids, and sesquiterpenoids ResearchGate.
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Advanced metabolomic work has identified a diverse array of compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids (including unique apigenin derivatives), alkaloids, carotenoids, fatty acid amides, and more—the flavonoids being especially prominent ResearchGate.
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The plant is rich in flavonoids, phenols, sterols, fatty acids, and sesquiterpenoids ResearchGate.
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Advanced metabolomic work has identified a diverse array of compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids (including unique apigenin derivatives), alkaloids, carotenoids, fatty acid amides, and more—the flavonoids being especially prominent ResearchGate.
Pharmacological Properties & Preclinical Evidence
Antioxidant & Antidiabetic
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Methanolic and hexane:ethyl acetate extracts showed strong antioxidant activity and promising α-glucosidase inhibitory (antidiabetic) potential in vitro StuartXchange.
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Although antidiabetic effects are suggested, clinical support is still limited ResearchGate.
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Methanolic and hexane:ethyl acetate extracts showed strong antioxidant activity and promising α-glucosidase inhibitory (antidiabetic) potential in vitro StuartXchange.
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Although antidiabetic effects are suggested, clinical support is still limited ResearchGate.
Anticancer / Antiproliferative
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Extracts demonstrated antiproliferative effects against neuroendocrine tumor cells, inducing apoptosis selectively in tumor lines, with minimal impact on normal fibroblasts PubMed.
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Both leaf and root extracts showed cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines (e.g., MDA-MB-231), with IC₅₀ values as low as ~11 µg/mL for certain extracts PMC.
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Extracts demonstrated antiproliferative effects against neuroendocrine tumor cells, inducing apoptosis selectively in tumor lines, with minimal impact on normal fibroblasts PubMed.
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Both leaf and root extracts showed cytotoxic activity against breast cancer cell lines (e.g., MDA-MB-231), with IC₅₀ values as low as ~11 µg/mL for certain extracts PMC.
Anti-malarial, Anti-inflammatory, Others
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Reported to have antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-plasmodial, apoptotic, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, antihyperuricemic, and anticancer properties StuartXchangeResearchGate.
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Reported to have antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-plasmodial, apoptotic, xanthine oxidase inhibitory, antihyperuricemic, and anticancer properties StuartXchangeResearchGate.
Toxicity
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Early toxicity studies in rats indicated mild to moderate liver changes at certain doses and durations—suggesting a need for caution and further safety investigation StuartXchange.
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Early toxicity studies in rats indicated mild to moderate liver changes at certain doses and durations—suggesting a need for caution and further safety investigation StuartXchange.
Traditional Systems (TCM, TMM, Ayurveda)
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): No widely documented use—its applications are rooted in Southeast Asian folk medicine rather than classical TCM.
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Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM): Used locally (e.g. Malaysia) in herbal teas or crackers for its reputed anticancer and medicinal properties PMCRJPT.
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Ayurveda: There’s little to no formal record of Christia vespertilionis in Ayurvedic literature, likely due to its botanical origin outside the Indian subcontinent.
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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): No widely documented use—its applications are rooted in Southeast Asian folk medicine rather than classical TCM.
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Traditional Malay Medicine (TMM): Used locally (e.g. Malaysia) in herbal teas or crackers for its reputed anticancer and medicinal properties PMCRJPT.
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Ayurveda: There’s little to no formal record of Christia vespertilionis in Ayurvedic literature, likely due to its botanical origin outside the Indian subcontinent.
Summary Table
Category Highlights Botanical Traits Fabaceae family; ornamental herb with tri-leaf structure and butterfly-like foliage Traditional Uses Treats tuberculosis, snakebites, respiratory ailments; topical for fractures, consumed as tea Phytochemicals Flavonoids, phenols, sterols, alkaloids, unique apigenin derivatives Pharmacological Antioxidant, anticancer, antiproliferative, antimalarial, antidiabetic (preclinical) Safety Profile Some hepatic changes noted at higher doses—further safety research needed Role in TCM/Ayurveda/TMM No classical TCM or Ayurvedic record; known in Malaysian/traditional Southeast Asian systems
Data compile by Chat GPT
| Category | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Botanical Traits | Fabaceae family; ornamental herb with tri-leaf structure and butterfly-like foliage |
| Traditional Uses | Treats tuberculosis, snakebites, respiratory ailments; topical for fractures, consumed as tea |
| Phytochemicals | Flavonoids, phenols, sterols, alkaloids, unique apigenin derivatives |
| Pharmacological | Antioxidant, anticancer, antiproliferative, antimalarial, antidiabetic (preclinical) |
| Safety Profile | Some hepatic changes noted at higher doses—further safety research needed |
| Role in TCM/Ayurveda/TMM | No classical TCM or Ayurvedic record; known in Malaysian/traditional Southeast Asian systems |
Data compile by Chat GPT
Reference
Cheah, Y. H., Nordin, F. J., Tee, T. T., Azimahtol Hawariah, L. P., & Abdullah, N. R. (2013). Anti-proliferative activity of leaf extract of Christia vespertilionis on neuroendocrine tumour cells. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-213
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Christia vespertilionis. (n.d.). Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Christia+vespertilionis
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Christia vespertilionis. (n.d.). National Parks Board, Singapore – Flora & Fauna Web. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/8/1811
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Paroparong pula – Christia vespertilionis. (n.d.). StuartXchange. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.stuartxchange.org/ParoparongPula
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Rani, S., & Nandini, D. (2021). A review on Christia vespertilionis: A new emerging medicinal plant. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 14(10), 5415-5419. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2021.00942
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Saleh, M. S., Abu Bakar, M. F., & Ahmad, A. (2020). An appraisal of Christia vespertilionis (L.f.) Bakh.f.: A promising medicinal plant. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 257, 112903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112903
Cheah, Y. H., Nordin, F. J., Tee, T. T., Azimahtol Hawariah, L. P., & Abdullah, N. R. (2013). Anti-proliferative activity of leaf extract of Christia vespertilionis on neuroendocrine tumour cells. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13, 213. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-13-213
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Christia vespertilionis. (n.d.). Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Christia+vespertilionis
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Christia vespertilionis. (n.d.). National Parks Board, Singapore – Flora & Fauna Web. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/1/8/1811
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Paroparong pula – Christia vespertilionis. (n.d.). StuartXchange. Retrieved August 10, 2025, from https://www.stuartxchange.org/ParoparongPula
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Rani, S., & Nandini, D. (2021). A review on Christia vespertilionis: A new emerging medicinal plant. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 14(10), 5415-5419. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2021.00942
-
Saleh, M. S., Abu Bakar, M. F., & Ahmad, A. (2020). An appraisal of Christia vespertilionis (L.f.) Bakh.f.: A promising medicinal plant. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 257, 112903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112903
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