Amorpha fruticosa – A Noxious Invasive Alien Plant in Europe or a Medicinal Plant against Metabolic Disease?

Abstract

Amorpha fruticosa L. (Fabaceae) is a shrub native to North America which has been cultivated mainly for its ornamental features, honey plant value and protective properties against soil erosion. It is registered amongst the most noxious invasive species in Europe. However, a growing body of scientific literature also points to the therapeutic potential of its chemical constituents. Due to the fact that A. fruticosa is an aggressive invasive species, it can provide an abundant and cheap resource of plant chemical constituents which can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. Additionally, exploitation of the biomass for medicinal use might contribute to relieving the destructive impact of this species on natural habitats. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary and systematize the state-of-the-art in the knowledge of the phytochemical composition and the potential of A. fruticosa in disease treatment and prevention, with especial emphasis on diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Also reviewed are aspects related to potential toxicity of A. fruticosa which has not yet been systematically evaluated in human subjects.

Effects of Substrate Material on Plant Growth and Nutrient Loss

“…Amorpha fruticosa L. is a perennial leguminous shrub [4] widely distributed in China, in the north, northeast, and southwest regions, the Yangtze and Yellow River basin, and other places. The species is about 1-4 m high and characterized by oval leaves and fast-growing fibrous roots with reticulate structure.…”

Forest Adaptation to Climate Change along Steep Ecological Gradients: The Case of the Mediterranean-Temperate Transition in South-Western Europe

“…Nevertheless, these aggressive species are attractive for biomass production, as in the case of R. pseudoacacia [68], and they may thus be favored by the fuelwood sector (see below). Similarly, the false indigo bush Amorpha fruticosa is problematic in Western and Eastern Europe, because it is the main species that takes over abandoned grassland and agricultural areas, although many people accept its propagation because it attracts domestic bees and has phyto-pharmaceutical properties [69]. It can therefore be seen that current invasions along the gradient can offer clues as to how people are dealing with changes and how proactive long-term policies can be developed.…”

De novo assembly of Amorpha fruticosa (Amorpha fruticosa L.) transcriptome in response to drought stress provides insight into the tolerance mechanisms

“…In addition, Amorpha fruticosa also has medicinal value, such as cytotoxic rotenoid glycosides, antibacterial and cytotoxic phenolic metabolite in seeds [3,4].. What more, Amorpha fruticosa leaf was a kind of traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of fever, burns, pyogenic carbuncle and eczema [3,5]. Amorpha fruticose can tolerate dry soils, but it is most abundant along river banks and roads and the edges of ooded forests, even is tolerant of occasional ooding [6].…”

“…The high tolerance of various habitat conditions and potent propagation ability promotes the aggressive invasive behavior of Amorpha fruticosa outside of its native range [6]. In order to breed more drought tolerant Amorpha fruticosa tree varieties, it is important to understand the drought tolerance mechanism in Amorpha fruticosa.…”