Black Face General

Parts Usually Used

Leaves

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Strobilanthes crispus is a flowering shrub that grows up to 2 meters tall, usually found wild near riverbanks, abandoned fields or in scrublands. The plant’s flowers are yellow.

Where Found

The Black Face General plant is native to Malaysia, Indonesia and Madagascar.

Medicinal Properties

The Black Face General plant posesses anticancer, antioxidant, antiangiogenic, antimicrobial, anti-HIV, antilytic, laxative, diuretic, free radical scavenging, wound healing, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antiulcerogenic properties. org : A number of studies demonstrated that S. crispus crude extracts are cytotoxic to cancer cell lines. We showed that a bioactive sub-fraction of S.

crispus leaves (SCS) induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of human breast cancer cell lines. The mechanism involves perturbation of mitochondrial function and modulation of cell cycle regulatory proteins and apoptotic signaling molecules. SCS acted synergistically with the antiestrogen, Tamoxifen, suggesting the potential to achieve the desired cytotoxic effect in cancer treatment at lower drug doses with the potential for reduction in side effects or toxicity of the drug on non-cancerous cells.

SCS also displayed potent anticancer effects in vivo. SCS reduced tumour volume and tumour multiplicity in rats bearing N-methyl nitrosourea-induced mammary tumors. These were accompanied by modulation of the expression of cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases as well as various signaling molecules of both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways. Interestingly, SCS is also capable of activating the immune system in vivo that may contribute to the anticancer effects of SCS.

Importantly, hematological and clinical biochemistry profiles indicated that SCS is relatively safe, further lending support for the therapeutic potential of SCS.

Biochemical Information

This plant contains caffeine, polyphenols, catechins, flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Specifically, leaf extracts contain phenolic acids (p-hydroxybenzoic acid, p-coumaric acid, gallic acid, vanillic acid, gentinic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, trans-cinnamic acid, syryngic acid, chlorogenic acid) and flavonoids (apigenin, rutin, catechin, quercetin, naringenin, kaempferol)

Uses

In West Malaysia, folk tradition involved chewing and swallowing the fresh leaves with the intention of supporting the immune system. Heated leaves were also applied topically to the hip area in traditional Malaysian practices for kidney stones. Additionally, the plant was historically utilized as a laxative.

How Sold

Capsules, teas, leaf powder