Sarcococca saligna
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sarcococca saligna, the sweet box or Christmas box, is a species of flowering plant in the family Buxaceae. This shrub is native to northern Pakistan. Its common name in Pakistan is sheha.[1][2]
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| Sarcococca saligna | |
|---|---|
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| Sarcococca saligna | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Buxales |
| Family: | Buxaceae |
| Genus: | Sarcococca |
| Species: | S. saligna |
| Binomial name | |
| Sarcococca saligna (D.Don) Müll.Arg. | |
Biological activity and medical usage
In traditional medicine of Pakistan, the leaves of Sarcococca saligna are used as laxative, blood purifier and muscular analgesic.[1]
The aqueous-methanolic extract of S. saligna has saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and alkaloids which have calcium channel blocking activity. Therefore, this shrub shows cardio-suppressant, vasodilator and tracheal relaxant effects.[3] In addition, ethanolic extract of S. saligna has steroidal alkaloids which can demonstrate cholinesterase inhibitory activity.[4][5]
The ethanolic extract of S. saligna indicate antibacterial activity against several human pathogenic bacteria and antifungal activity against Aspergillus species.[6][7] This extract can increase the antifungal activity of fluconazole against resistant Aspergillus species.[7]