Botanical Name : Tectona grandis Linn. f.
Family : Verbenaceae
Identification No: – SDACH/HG/090
Names in different Indian languages :
English : Teak
Hindi : Saguan
Kannada : Tega, jedi
Malayalam : Teku
Sanskrit : Sakha, bhumisakha
Tamil : Tekku
Telugu : Peddateku, adaviteku
Synonyms :
Shaaka, Bhuumisaha, Dwaaradaaru, Varadaaru, Kharachhada, Saagawaan, Saagauna
Jatus grandis (L.f.) Kuntze
Tectona grandis f. abludens Koord. & Valeton
Tectona grandis f. canescens Moldenke
Tectona grandis f. pilosula Moldenke
Tectona grandis f. punctata Moldenke
Tectona grandis f. tomentella Moldenke
Tectona theca Lour.
Theka grandis (L.f.) Lam.
Morphology :
Teak is a large, deciduous tree up to 40 m (131 ft) tall with gray to grayish brown branches. Leaves are ovate-elliptic to ovate, 15–45 cm (5.9–17.7 in) long by 8–23 cm (3.1–9.1 in) wide, and are held on robust petioles that are 2–4 cm (0.8–1.6 in) long. Leaf margins are entire.
Fragrant white flowers are borne on 25–40 cm (10–16 in) long by 30 cm (12 in) wide panicles from June to August. The corolla tube is 2.5–3 mm long with 2 mm wide obtuse lobes. Tectona grandis sets fruit from September to December; fruits are globose and 1.2-1.8 cm in diameter. Flowers are weakly protandrous in that the anthers precede the stigma in maturity and pollen is shed within a few hours of the flower opening.[9] The flowers are primarily entomophilous (insect-pollinated), but can occasionally be anemophilous (wind-pollinated)
Uses :
Expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antibilious, anthelmintic
Chemicals :
Naphthalene , triterpenic, hemi-terpenic compounds, tectoleafquinone, tannin, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linolenic, arachidic acids
IUCN Status : Endangered
Research Update:
Antimicrobial Activity (2021) – A study demonstrated that ethanol extracts of T. grandis leaves exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, suggesting potential use in developing natural antimicrobial agents.
Antioxidant Properties (2020) – Research indicated that methanolic extracts of teak leaves possess strong antioxidant activity, attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds and flavonoids, which may help in combating oxidative stress-related diseases.
Anti-inflammatory Effects (2022) – An investigation into the bark extract of T. grandis revealed notable anti-inflammatory effects in animal models, potentially due to the modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Wound Healing Potential (2023) – Topical application of teak leaf extract ointment showed accelerated wound healing in rat models, indicating its usefulness in promoting tissue regeneration.
Antidiabetic Activity (2024) – A recent study found that aqueous extracts of T. grandis bark significantly reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, suggesting its potential as a natural antidiabetic agent.
