Acacia confusa
Encyclopedia
Acacia confusa is a perennial tree native to South-East Asia. Some common names for it are Acacia Petit Feuille, Small Philippine Acacia, Formosa Acacia (Taiwan Acacia) and Formosan Koa. It grows to a height of 15m. The tree has become very common in many tropical Pacific areas, including Hawaii, where the species is considered invasive.
, its wood is used to make support beams for underground mines. The wood is also converted to charcoal
for family use. The plant is used in traditional medicine and is available from herbal medicine shops (草藥店) in Taiwan. Acacia confusa heartwood extracts have shown antihyperuricemic (i.e., reduce serum uric acid
levels) effects in animal experiments due to the presence of the chemical melanoxetin. Acacia confusa extract has been shown to halt replication of hepatitis C
virus in in vitro
experiments, but there has been no clinical study.
s are found in the phyllodes
(leaf-like structures).
Uses
Its uses include chemical products, environmental management and food and drink. The wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm³. In TaiwanTaiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, its wood is used to make support beams for underground mines. The wood is also converted to charcoal
Charcoal
Charcoal is the dark grey residue consisting of carbon, and any remaining ash, obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances. Charcoal is usually produced by slow pyrolysis, the heating of wood or other substances in the absence of oxygen...
for family use. The plant is used in traditional medicine and is available from herbal medicine shops (草藥店) in Taiwan. Acacia confusa heartwood extracts have shown antihyperuricemic (i.e., reduce serum uric acid
Uric acid
Uric acid is a heterocyclic compound of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen with the formula C5H4N4O3. It forms ions and salts known as urates and acid urates such as ammonium acid urate. Uric acid is created when the body breaks down purine nucleotides. High blood concentrations of uric acid...
levels) effects in animal experiments due to the presence of the chemical melanoxetin. Acacia confusa extract has been shown to halt replication of hepatitis C
Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is an infectious disease primarily affecting the liver, caused by the hepatitis C virus . The infection is often asymptomatic, but chronic infection can lead to scarring of the liver and ultimately to cirrhosis, which is generally apparent after many years...
virus in in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
experiments, but there has been no clinical study.
Seeds
- NeurolathryogenOxalyldiaminopropionic acidOxalyldiaminopropionic acid is the neurotoxin responsible for lathyrism.-See also:* β-Methylamino-L-alanine, a related toxin...
(α-amino-β-oxalylaminopropionic acid), which can cause neurological damage, paralysisParalysisParalysis is loss of muscle function for one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor. A study conducted by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, suggests that about 1 in 50 people have been diagnosed...
and death.
Phyllodes
No alkaloidAlkaloid
Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...
s are found in the phyllodes
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
(leaf-like structures).
Varieties
- Acacia confusa var. inamurai HayataBunzo Hayatawas a Japanese botanist noted for his taxonomic work in Japan and Formosa . He was a professor at the Imperial University of Tokyo and third director of the Research Botanical Gardens....