Abstract
The Upas tree (Antiaris toxicaria Lesch.) is a highly toxic plant belonging to the Moraceae family, commonly known as the fig family. It is primarily found in tropical regions across Africa, Asia, and Australia. This genus, Antiaris, contains only one known species—A. toxicaria. The plant is infamous for its milky white latex, which contains “Antiarin,” a deadly cardiac glycoside recognised as one of the most toxic naturally occurring compounds. Due to this poisonous latex, the tree has earned the name “poison arrow tree,” as it was traditionally used to poison arrows. Despite its toxic nature, the wood of the tree is commercially valuable and is widely used in the production of plywood and veneer.
Introduction
Antiaris toxicaria belongs to the Moraceae family and is infamous for its deadly latex, historically used as a poison in Southeast Asian cultures. However, in carefully controlled amounts and specific preparations, various parts of the plant have shown medicinal effects. The plant has captured scientific interest due to the presence of cardiac glycosides and flavonoids. In traditional systems like Ayurveda and folk medicine, it finds applications in treating severe conditions like epilepsy, convulsions, and parasitic infections. This tree reflects the dual nature of many natural remedies, both healing and harmful, depending on usage.
Scientific Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae (Photosynthetic Eukaryotes)
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Clade: Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
- Clade: Angiosperms (Flowering plants, Seeds enclosed within fruits)
- Clade: Eudicots (Two seed leaves or cotyledons)
- Clade: Rosids (Ovules typically bitegmic and crassinucellate)
- Order: Rosales (Flowers usually perfect, multiple stamens, often with an inferior ovary)
- Family: Moraceae (Characterised by the presence of milky or watery latex)
- Genus: Antiaris Lesch.
- Species: Antiaris toxicaria Lesch.
Synonyms
Vernacular Names
- English: Upastree, Antiaris, Blow dart, False mvule, False iroko, Bark cloth tree, Poison arrow tree
- Akan: Foto, Kyenkyen
- Angola: Sansama, Kirundu
- Burmese: Hmyasceik, Aseik
- Chinese: Poison arrow tree
- Filipino: Upas
- French: Ako
- Ghana: Kyenkyen, Chenchen
- Indonesian: Bemoe
- Javanese: Ancar, Upas
- Malay: Antjar, Antiaris, Ipoh, Terap
- Malayalam: Maravuri
- Mandinka: Jafo
- Marathi: Chandkuda, Chand-phal
- Nigerian: Oro, Ogiovu
- Swahili: Mkunde
- Tamil: Aranthelli, Mara-uri, Nettavil
- Tanzania: Mlulu, Mkuzu
- Thai: Yang nong
- Uganda: Mumaka, Kirundu
- Wolof: Man, Kan
- Zaire: Bonkonko
Habitat
The Upas tree is widely distributed across tropical regions, thriving in diverse habitats such as semi-arid zones, rainforests, and swamp forests throughout the Old World tropics. It is native to a broad range of countries including Australia, Cameroon, China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fiji, India and the Indian subcontinent, Indonesia, Java, Kenya, Peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Sumatra (including Enggano and the Riau-Lingga Islands), Singapore, the Solomon Islands, Sulawesi, Tonga, and Uganda. In India, the species occurs sporadically, particularly in the Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and the Andaman Islands.
Morphology
The Upas tree is a deciduous, monoecious forest species that typically reaches a height of 30 to 50 meters and develops a dome-shaped canopy. Its bark is greyish, about 10–20 mm thick, and marked with lenticels, while the exudate is either milky or watery. The leaves are simple, alternate and oval, measuring 5.5–16 cm in length and 4–11 cm in width. They have small, caducous stipules and short, velvety petioles ranging from 2 to 7 mm. The leaf apex is either acuminate or bluntly pointed, with entire, glabrous margins. The leaves exhibit 5–10 pairs of parallel and prominent lateral veins with a reticulate pattern. The tree bears unisexual, greenish-yellow flowers. Male flowers appear on axillary receptacles with 2–7 tepals, a velvety peduncle, and are surrounded by imbricating bracts. They have 2–6 stamens with erect filaments and yellow anthers. Female flowers are solitary, disk-shaped, lack tepals, and possess a superior unilocular ovary with a single ovule and two styles. The fruit is a fleshy, single-seeded drupe, bright red in colour and about 2–3 cm in diameter. The seeds, which are edible and measure 10–15 mm, are consumed and dispersed by birds, bats, antelopes, monkeys, and humans.
Classical Categorisation
Bhavprakash Nighantu page number 800
Therapeutic Properties
- Anodyne
- Astringent
- Febrifuge
- Vermifuge
- Antipsychotic (used in mental illnesses)
- Hepatoprotective
- Antidysenteric
- Antileukemic
- Splenomegaly
- Anticancer
- Cardiac stimulant (in small doses)
- Uterine stimulant
- Intestinal stimulant
- Antibacterial (used for skin diseases like eczema and leprosy)
- Antitumor (roasted seeds for small growths)
- Tonic (latex application)
- Forensic application (used in crime scene investigation)
- Natural insecticide potential
Chemical Composition
- α-Antiarin
- β-Antiarin
- Angiogenin
- Antioside
- Antiarosides
- Antiogoside
- Antiarojavoside
- Antialloside
- γ-Lactone
- β-Sitosterol
- Betulinic acid
- Chalcones
- Cymarol
- Djavose
- Flavonoids
- Flavanones
- Malayoside
- Oleanolic acid
- Periplogenin
- Peripalloside
- Strophalloside
- Strophanthidol
- Toxicariosides A, B, C, D, N, O, J, K, L
- Strophanthidin
- 7 Phenylpropanoid derivatives
- Lignin derivatives
- Ursolic acid
- Uposide
Modern Overview
Anticonvulsant Activity
The aqueous stem bark of Antiaris toxicaria contains cardiac glycosides such as antiarins and antiarosides, which are believed to contribute to its anticonvulsant effects. These compounds may help modulate neuronal excitability by enhancing GABAergic inhibition, either through interaction with GABA_A receptors or by influencing ion channel activity. Additionally, the bark is rich in polyphenolic compounds like gallic acid, catechins, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and kaempferol. These have strong antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, helping to stabilise neuronal membranes and reduce oxidative stress. The combined action of these glycosides and polyphenols likely supports seizure control and offers neuroprotection, as observed in animal models, including those simulating temporal lobe epilepsy.
Anti-Cataleptic Activity
Catalepsy is a neurological condition marked by prolonged muscle rigidity, fixed posture, and unresponsiveness to external stimuli. It is often associated with disturbances in the central nervous system. The aqueous stem bark of Antiaris toxicaria contains cardiac glycosides (antiarins, antiarosides) and polyphenolic compounds (quercetin, catechins, gallic acid) that may influence central nervous system activity. These constituents can modulate dopaminergic and GABAergic pathways, which are involved in muscle tone and motor control. In experimental studies, the extract has shown the ability to prolong or induce catalepsy, possibly by reducing neuronal excitability and enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission. This effect may also be linked to antioxidant actions that protect neuronal integrity. In Ayurveda, such CNS-calming properties align with Vata-pacifying and sedative effects.
Part Used
Conclusion
Antiaris toxicaria is a fascinating example of nature’s dual-edged sword—both poison and medicine. While it contains powerful toxic compounds, its careful use in traditional medicine highlights its therapeutic potential, especially for skin diseases, rheumatism and neurological conditions. Due to its high toxicity, modern and traditional practitioners alike treat this tree with caution and respect.
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