Crassocephalum rubens
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Crassocephalum rubens Common Names: Yoruba bologi, Fireweed, Redflower
ragleaf, Thickhead Scientific
Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Asterids Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Genus: Crassocephalum Species: C. rubens Synonyms: Crassocephalum cernuum (L.f.) Moench, Gynura cernua (Cass.) Benth., Gynura rubens (Juss. ex Jacq.) Muschl., Senecio cernuus L.f., Senecio rubens Juss. ex Jacq. Morphological Description Crassocephalum rubens is an erect or semi-erect, annual herbaceous plant,
typically growing 0.3–1 meter tall. Its key characteristics include: · Stem: Green, succulent, slightly branched, mucilaginous, with a
soft texture; often purplish at the base in mature plants. · Leaves: Alternate, ovate to lanceolate (5–15 cm × 2–6 cm), with
serrated or lobed margins, semi-succulent, mucilaginous, and slightly hairy;
emit a mild odor when crushed. · Flowers: Small, tubular, purple to reddish, arranged in terminal
capitula (1–2 cm diameter); florets are bisexual, pollinated by insects. · Seeds: Achene, small (2–3 mm), with a white pappus aiding wind
dispersal; seeds are numerous, enhancing its weedy nature. Distribution and Habitat Crassocephalum rubens is a widespread species, primarily native to tropical Africa
but also found in other tropical regions: · Geographic Range: Native to West and Central Africa (Guinea,
Mali, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo); naturalized in East Africa (Tanzania, Malawi),
Asia (India, Thailand), and parts of Oceania; cultivated in Nigeria and Sierra Leone
for food and medicine. · Habitat: Thrives in disturbed areas, including roadsides, open dumps,
grasslands, forest edges, and farmlands; prefers moist, loamy soils with pH
5.5–7.0 and annual rainfall of 800–2,000 mm; found at elevations from sea level
to 2,000 m. · Ecological Role: Acts as a pioneer species in disturbed
ecosystems; supports pollinators like bees; can become invasive, competing with
crops in Nigeria and Zambia. Ethnopharmacology Crassocephalum rubens (commonly referred to as Rubens in some contexts) is extensively
used in African traditional medicine, and its medicinal properties have been
supported by various scientific studies. Traditionally, it is employed for
treating skin infections, wounds, rheumatism, inflammatory conditions, and
menstrual disorders. Scientific investigations have validated its
anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, analgesic, and
antitumor activities. The plant contains numerous bioactive compounds such as
anthraquinones (e.g., alizarin and purpurin), glycosides, flavonoids, and
tannins, which contribute to its pharmacological effects. Extracts from the
roots and stems are particularly noted for their wound healing,
blood-purifying, and detoxifying abilities. Although widely used and considered
effective in folk medicine, further clinical studies are essential to establish
standardized dosages and ensure long-term safety. · Antioxidant
and Antidiabetic Activity:
The aqueous extract of Crassocephalum rubens leaves exhibited potent
antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 45.2 µg/mL for DPPH radical
scavenging, and significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and lipase enzyme activities
by 62% and 58%, respectively, at 100 µg/mL. It also reduced intestinal glucose
absorption by 40% and enhanced muscle glucose uptake by 35% in ex vivo studies.
LC-MS analysis identified sanguisorbic acid dilactone, which showed high
binding affinity for catalase and lipase enzymes, supporting its potential in
managing oxidative stress and type 2 diabetes (Oyebode et al., 2019). · In
Vivo Antidiabetic Activity:
In type 2 diabetic rats induced by fructose and streptozotocin, treatment with
C. rubens aqueous extract at 400 mg/kg for 28 days significantly lowered blood
glucose levels by 48%, improved oral glucose tolerance by 55%, enhanced
pancreatic β-cell function, increased insulin secretion by 60%, and elevated
liver glycogen content by 45%. Additionally, it boosted antioxidant enzyme
activities (SOD and CAT) by 50% and prevented liver and renal damage, as
evidenced by normal histopathology (Oyebode et al., 2022). · Hepatoprotective
Effects: C. rubens mitigated
hepatic damage in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary gland
toxicity in rats treated with 200 mg/kg extract for 21 days. The extract
reduced serum transaminases (AST and ALT) by 35%, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
by 40%, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) by 30%, malondialdehyde (MDA) by 50%,
and estrogen levels by 25%, while increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD)
activity by 45% and liver cell count, indicating its potential in protecting
against chemically induced hepatic injury (Adewale et al., 2024). ⚠ Toxicity Profile: Crassocephalum rubens contains trace alkaloids (0.01–0.05% in
leaves), which may cause mild toxicity in high doses. Acute toxicity studies of
C. rubens aqueous leaf extract in rats showed no mortality or behavioral
changes at doses up to 5000 mg/kg. Subacute toxicity studies with daily doses
up to 1000 mg/kg for 28 days revealed no significant changes in body weight,
organ weights, hematological parameters (e.g., RBC, WBC), biochemical markers
(e.g., ALT, AST, creatinine), or histological assessments of liver and kidney,
confirming a high safety margin for oral administration (Adewale et al., 2016). Additional Uses · Culinary: Leaves are boiled or added to soups with groundnuts in
Sierra Leone and Nigeria; consumed as a leafy vegetable in Malawi, though less
preferred due to a stinging sensation · Fodder: Used as livestock feed in Zambia and Nigeria, valued for its
high protein content (15–20% dry weight). · Cultural: In Nigeria, the plant’s crocodile-repellent properties are
used in fishing communities; leaves are burned to ward off evil spirits in
Ghana. · Environmental: Planted in agroforestry systems to suppress weeds due to
allelopathic effects; supports soil fertility as a cover crop. References
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| Compounds of Crassocephalum rubens | |
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