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Family Leguminosae / Fabaceae
Sapnit
Caesalpinia latisiliqua (Cav.) Hattink

Scientific names Common names
Bauhinia latisiliqua Cav. Arayat (Ilk.)
Caesalpinia latisiliqua (Cav.) Hattink Dauag (Tag.)
Caesalpinia torquata Blanco Dauer (Ilk.)
Mezoneuron balansae Gagnep. Kabit-kabag (Tag.)
Mezoneuron cabadbarense Elmer Kamit-kabag (Tag.)
Mezoneuron glabrum "sensu Fern.-Vill., non Desf." Kamot-pusa (Tag., Pamp.)
Mezoneuron keo Gagnep Sabit (Ig.)
Mezoneuron latisiliquum (Cav.) Merr. Sagnit (Tag.)
Mezoneuron oxyphyllum Gagnep Sampinit (Tag., Mbo.)
Mezoneuron platycarpum Merr. Sapinit (P. Bis.)
Mezoneuron rubrum Merr. Sapnit (Tag., Pamp.)
Mezoneurum balansae Gagnep. [Spelling variant] Siit (Bis.)
Mezoneurum latisiliquum (Cav.) Merr. [Spelling variant] Sokit (Yak.)
Mezoneurum oxyphyllum Gagnep. [Spelling variant] Tugabang (Bis.)
Mezoneurum procumbens Blanco Ugabang (Bis.)
Caesalpinia latisiliqua (Cav.) Hattink is an accepted name The Plant List

Other vernacular names
VIETNAMESE: Väu dieu, Vang qua rong, Keo rung.

Botany
Sapnit is a tall tree climber. Leaves are evenly bi pinnate, about 30 centimeters long (more or less), and smooth, the rachis provided with a pair of recurved hooks from the base of the secondary rachises. Leaflets are elliptically oblong, 1.8 to 4 centimeters long and 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide, with truncate or retuse tip. Inflorescence is terminal, smooth, and 50 to 60 centimeters long. Calyx is glaucous, green, very broad, and obscurely lobed. Petals are greenish, and exceeding the calyx in length. Pods are 10 to 18 centimeters long and 3 to 4.5 centimeters wide, obtuse at both ends, winged along the dorsal edge, and compressed, and contain several red seeds.

Distribution
- In thickets and secondary forests at low and medium altitudes throughout the Philippines.
- Also reported in Timor.

Constituents
- Study of twigs isolated three new compounds, (3S)-dihydrobonducellin 8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (1), 3′,5′-dimethoxy-jezonolid (2), and latisilinoid (3), along with 16 known compounds. The j=known compounds were identified as flavonoids, stilbenes,  and phenolics. (see study below)
(2)
- Study of leaves isolated five new seco-labdane-type diterpenoids, caesalatisics A–E (15). (3)
- Study of methanol extract of leaves isolated three new cassane-type diterpenoids, caesalatic acids A-C (1-3), along with seven known compounds, resveratrol  (4) piceatannol  (5), aromadendrin (6), taxifolin (7),3,4-dihydroxy-benzaldehyde (8),  methyl gallate (9), and  loliolide (10). (4)

Properties
- Study suggested antiviral property.

Parts used
Leaves, twigs.

Uses

Edibility
- In the Philippines, young shoots eaten as salad.
Folkloric
- In the Philippines, decoction of leaves given to relieve asthma.

Studies
Antiviral / Twigs:
Study of twigs isolated three new compounds along with 16 known compounds. All isolated compounds were evaluated for antiviral activity in  HRV1B, CVB3-, and EV71-infected cells.  Among the tested compounds,  three flavonoids (4-6) and two stilbenes (12 and 14) exhibited significant antiviral activity. (see constituents above) (2)

Availability
Wild-crafted.


Updated March 2022 / September 2018 / August 2016


PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: / Photo / Fabaceae: Caesalpinia latisiliqua / Fruiting plant / Copyright © 2011 by Leonardo L. Co. (contact: benctan@berkeley.edu) ref. DOL32322 / Non-Commercial Use / click on image to go to source page / Phytoimages.siu.edu
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Drawing (Engraving): Caesalpinia latisiliqua (Cav.) Hattink / A.J. Cavanilles / Cavanilles, A.J., Icones et descriptiones plantarum, vol. 5: t. 408 (1799) [A.J. Cavanilles] / PlantIllustrations.org
Caesalpinia latisiliqua (Cav.) Hattink is an accepted name

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Caesalpinia latisiliqua / Synonyms / The Plant List
(2)

Chemical components from the twigs of Caesalpinia latisiliqua and their antiviral activity
/ Mira Oh, Seon Ju Park. Seong Hyun Kim et al /   Journal of Natural Medicines,  2020;  74(1) :  pp 26-33 / 
DOI: 10.1007/s11418-019-01335-2
(3)
Five new seco-labdane-type diterpenoids from Caesalpinia latisiliqua /
Le Thi Huyen,  Nguyen Thi Cuc et al /  Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry,  2021; 60(4): pp  469-475 /  DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5238
(4)
Cassane-type diterpenoids from Caesalpinia latisiliqua  (Cav.) Hattink /  Le Thi Huyen,  Nguyen Xuan Nhiem / Phytochemistry Letters, 2022; Vol 47: pp 93-96 / DOI: 10.1016/j.phytol.2021.11.011

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DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)

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