Oroxylum indicum is a tree of the Bignoniaceae family native to India, Southeast Asia, and southern China. In Thailand, it grows in deciduous forests and is often planted. The flowers and fruit are edible, and the bark is used as a dye material. In traditional medicine (such as Ayurveda), it has long been widely used as a medicinal ingredient.
It has traditionally been used as a bitter tonic, astringent, laxative, tonic, stomachic, aphrodisiac, pain reliever, sweat-inducing, and for treating diarrhea, dysentery, fever, bronchitis, intestinal parasites, and edema. In recent years, mainly at the basic research level, the bioactivities of its flavonoids, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-tumor properties, have been reported.
In terms of components, flavonoids such as oroxyloside , oroxylin A , baicalein , and chrysin have been reported, as well as ellagic acid , terephthalate , 3-Methoxy-6,7-dihydroxyflavone , and naphthalene . In particular, orgonoside has been suggested to potentially act on pathways related to both inflammatory responses and angiogenesis, and is attracting attention in the field of antitumor therapy.
Characteristics of Kicho
- Scientific name: Oroxylum indicum
- Classification: Bignoniaceae
- Japanese name: Kichocho
- Distribution: India, Southeast Asia, southern China
- Habitat: Deciduous forest (in Thailand, it grows in deciduous forests), widely planted
- Uses: Flowers and fruits are edible, bark is used as dye and medicinal material
- Parts used: bark, roots, leaves, flowers, fruits (traditional use)
Main ingredients (reported examples)
- Flavonoid glycoside: Orgonoside (oroxyloside)
- Flavonoids: Oroxylin A, Baicalein, Chrysin, 3-Methoxy-6,7-dihydroxyflavone
- Polyphenol: Ellagic acid
- Aromatic compounds: terephthalates, naphthalene
- Others: tannins, organic acids, trace minerals, etc.
Expected effects
- Anti-inflammatory support: Due to its flavonoid content, it has been suggested that it may contribute to regulating inflammatory responses and reducing inflammatory burden.
- Supporting effects related to angiogenesis: Basic research suggests that orgonosides and other compounds may act on pathways related to angiogenesis.
- Antioxidant support: It has been suggested that it may contribute to maintaining a healthy cellular environment by suppressing oxidative stress.
- Anti-tumor and cell protection support effects: Research has shown that it has activities related to the inhibition of abnormal cell proliferation and cell protection.
- Stomach-strengthening and digestive support: Based on its traditional use as a bitter tonic, it has been suggested that it may contribute to maintaining appetite and digestive function.
- Intestinal regulation and bowel movement support: It has been suggested that it may contribute to regulating bowel movements and maintaining good health during diarrhea and dysentery.
- Respiratory condition support: It has been suggested that it may contribute to maintaining a healthy environment during respiratory disorders such as bronchitis.
- Pain relief and sweating support: It has been suggested that it may contribute to reducing pain discomfort and regulating physical condition through sweating.
- Anti-parasitic and defense support effects: It has traditionally been used to combat intestinal parasites, and it has been suggested that it may contribute to supporting the body's defense functions.
- Edema and fluid balance support: It has been suggested that it may contribute to regulating body fluid balance.
