''Quercus infectoria'' or the Aleppo oak is a species of oak well known for producing

gall Galls (from the Latin , 'oak-apple') or ''cecidia'' (from the Greek , anything gushing out) are a kind of swelling growth on the external tissues of plants, fungi, or animals. Plant galls are abnormal outgrowths of plant tissues, similar to be ...

s (called manjakani in Malaysia, majuphal in India) that have been traditionally used for centuries in Asia medicinally while also used in softening leather and in making black dye and ink.

Description

''Quercus infectoria'' is a small tree, growing to in height. The stems are crooked, shrubby looking with smooth and bright-green

leaves A leaf ( : leaves) is any of the principal appendages of a vascular plant stem, usually borne laterally aboveground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, st ...

borne on short petioles of long. The leaves are bluntly mucronate, rounded, smooth, unequal at the base and shiny on the upper side. The galls arise on young branches of the tree when

gall wasp Gall wasps, also incorrectly called gallflies, are hymenopterans of the family Cynipidae in the wasp superfamily Cynipoidea. Their common name comes from the galls they induce on plants for larval development. About 1,300 species of this gener ...

s sting the oak tree and deposit their larvae. The chemical reaction causes an abnormality in the tree, causing hard balls to be formed. They are

corrugated The term corrugated, describing a series of parallel ridges and furrows, may refer to the following: Materials *Corrugated fiberboard, also called corrugated cardboard *Corrugated galvanised iron, a building material composed of sheets of cold-r ...

in appearance.

Gall chemistry

The galls from ''Quercus infectoria'' contain the highest naturally occurring level of

tannin Tannins (or tannoids) are a class of astringent, polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to and precipitate proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. The term ''tannin'' (from Anglo-Norman ''tanner'' ...

, approximately 50–70%, as well as syringic acid, β-sitosterol, amentoflavone, hexamethyl ether, isocryptomerin, methyl betulate, methyl oleanate and hexagalloyl glucose. They also contain 2–4% each of gallic and ellagic acid that are polymerized to make tannins.PubMed
/ref> Tannins have been used for hundreds of years for medical purposes and are currently indispensable in dermatology and have been used for tanning of leather.

Tannins

Tannins comprise a large group of natural products widely distributed in the plant kingdom. They have a great structural diversity, but are usually divided into two basic groups: the hydrolyzable type and the condensed type. Hydrolyzable tannins include the commonly occurring gallic and ellagic acid contained in the nut galls. Hydrolyzable tannins are present in many different plant species but are found in particularly high concentrations in nut galls growing on '' Rhus semialata'' (Chinese and Korean gallotannins) and ''Quercus infectoria'' (Turkish and Chinese gallotannins), the seedpods of ''

Caesalpinia spinosa ''Tara spinosa'', commonly known as ''tara'' (Quechua), also known as Peruvian carob or spiny holdback, is a small leguminous tree or thorny shrub native to Peru. ''T. spinosa'' is cultivated as a source of tannins based on a galloylated quinic ...

'' (Tara tannins), and the fruits of ''

Terminalia chebula ''Terminalia chebula'', commonly known as black- or chebulic myrobalan, is a species of '' Terminalia'', native to South Asia from India and Nepal east to southwest China ( Yunnan), and south to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam.Flora of Ch ...

''. The gallic and ellagic acid hydrolyzable tannins react with proteins to produce typical tanning effects; medicinally, this is important to topically treat inflamed or ulcerated tissues. They also contribute to most of the astringent property of ''manjakani'' and in small insignificant doses, are great for skin whitening and killing microorganisms. Although both types of tannin have been used to treat diseases in traditional medicine, the hydrolyzable tannins have long been considered official medicinal agents in Europe and North America. They have been included in many

pharmacopoeia A pharmacopoeia, pharmacopeia, or pharmacopoea (from the obsolete typography ''pharmacopœia'', meaning "drug-making"), in its modern technical sense, is a book containing directions for the identification of compound medicines, and published by ...

s, in the older editions in particular, and are specifically referred to as tannic acid. These were recommended for treatment of inflammation and

ulcer An ulcer is a discontinuity or break in a bodily membrane that impedes normal function of the affected organ. According to Robbins's pathology, "ulcer is the breach of the continuity of skin, epithelium or mucous membrane caused by sloughing o ...

ation, including topical application for skin diseases and internal use for intestinal ulceration and diarrhea. In China, tannin-containing substances, such as galls,

pomegranate The pomegranate (''Punica granatum'') is a fruit-bearing deciduous shrub in the family Lythraceae, subfamily Punicoideae, that grows between tall. The pomegranate was originally described throughout the Mediterranean Basin, Mediterranean re ...

rinds, and terminalia fruits, are used in several medicinal preparations.

Distribution

''Quercus infectoria'' is indigenous to parts of

southern Europe Southern Europe is the southern region of Europe. It is also known as Mediterranean Europe, as its geography is essentially marked by the Mediterranean Sea. Definitions of Southern Europe include some or all of these countries and regions: Alb ...

(

Greece Greece,, or , romanized: ', officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. It is situated on the southern tip of the Balkans, and is located at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Greece shares land borders wi ...

and the East Aegean Islands) and the

Middle East The Middle East ( ar, الشرق الأوسط, ISO 233: ) is a geopolitical region commonly encompassing Arabian Peninsula, Arabia (including the Arabian Peninsula and Bahrain), Anatolia, Asia Minor (Asian part of Turkey except Hatay Pro ...

(

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with a small portion on the Balkan Peninsula ...

Cyprus Cyprus ; tr, Kıbrıs (), officially the Republic of Cyprus,, , lit: Republic of Cyprus is an island country located south of the Anatolian Peninsula in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Its continental position is disputed; while it is ...

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...

Lebanon Lebanon ( , ar, لُبْنَان, translit=lubnān, ), officially the Republic of Lebanon () or the Lebanese Republic, is a country in Western Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lie ...

Syria Syria ( ar, سُورِيَا or سُورِيَة, translit=Sūriyā), officially the Syrian Arab Republic ( ar, الجمهورية العربية السورية, al-Jumhūrīyah al-ʻArabīyah as-Sūrīyah), is a Western Asian country loc ...

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

and

Jordan Jordan ( ar, الأردن; tr. ' ), officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan,; tr. ' is a country in Western Asia. It is situated at the crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, within the Levant region, on the East Bank of the Jordan Rive ...

Pharmacology

The galls of ''Quercus infectoria'' have also been pharmacologically documented to possess astringent, antidiabetic, antitremorine, local anaesthetic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, larvicidal and anti-inflammatory activities. The main constituents found in the galls of ''Quercus infectoria'' are tannin (50-70%) and small amount of free gallic acid and ellagic acid. The wide range of pharmacological activities of this plant might support the efficacy of extract preparation of ''Quercus infectoria'' that are widely used in Malaysia for treating many kinds of health problems since many decades ago. The nutgalls have been pharmacologically documented on their antiamoebic, anticariogenic and anti-inflammatoryPubMed
/ref> activities, to treat skin infections and gastrointestinal disorders.

Uses

''Quercus infectoria'' can be used as a thickener in stews or mixed with cereals for making bread. Also known as Majuphal in Indian traditional medicine, manjakani has been used as dental powder and in the treatment of toothache and gingivitis. The so-called "Aleppo tannin" is

Tannic acid Tannic acid is a specific form of tannin, a type of polyphenol. Its weak acidity ( pKa around 6) is due to the numerous phenol groups in the structure. The chemical formula for commercial tannic acid is often given as C76H52O46, which corresp ...

gained from Aleppo oak galls, which displays unique chemical properties essential in the preparation of gold sols (colloids) used as markers in

Immunocytochemistry Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is a common laboratory technique that is used to anatomically visualize the localization of a specific protein or antigen in cells by use of a specific primary antibody that binds to it. The primary antibody allows visua ...

. Nowadays, gallnut extracts are also widely used in pharmaceuticals, food and feed additives, dyes, inks, and metallurgy.

Galls

Gall nut extracts are widely used in pharmaceuticals, medical laboratory techniques as well as inks which use " Aleppo tannin", food and feed additives, dyes, and metallurgy.

Tanning

Tannin, a substance contained in the galls of the ''Quercus infectoria'', has been used for centuries for the tanning of leather.

Medical laboratory techniques

The so-called "Aleppo tannin" is

tannic acid Tannic acid is a specific form of tannin, a type of polyphenol. Its weak acidity ( pKa around 6) is due to the numerous phenol groups in the structure. The chemical formula for commercial tannic acid is often given as C76H52O46, which corresp ...

gained from Aleppo pine galls, which displays unique chemical properties essential in the preparation of gold sols (colloids) used as markers in

immunocytochemistry Immunocytochemistry (ICC) is a common laboratory technique that is used to anatomically visualize the localization of a specific protein or antigen in cells by use of a specific primary antibody that binds to it. The primary antibody allows visua ...

Teeth and gum remedy

Also known as ''majuphal'' in Indian traditional medicine, ''manjakani'' has been used as dental powder and in the treatment of

toothache Toothache, also known as dental pain,Segen JC. (2002). ''McGraw-Hill Concise Dictionary of Modern Medicine''. The McGraw-Hill Companies. is pain in the teeth or their supporting structures, caused by dental diseases or pain referred to the t ...

and

gingivitis Gingivitis is a non-destructive disease that causes inflammation of the gums. The most common form of gingivitis, and the most common form of periodontal disease overall, is in response to bacterial biofilms (also called plaque) that is attac ...

Uterine and vaginal therapy

The galls, locally known as ''manjakani'' in Malaysia, are used in combination with other herbs as drinking remedies by women after childbirth to restore the elasticity of the uterine wall, and in many vaginal tightening products. The extract of ''manjakani'' was claimed by the Malay

Kelantan Kelantan (; Jawi: ; Kelantanese Malay: ''Klate'') is a state in Malaysia. The capital is Kota Bharu and royal seat is Kubang Kerian. The honorific name of the state is ''Darul Naim'' (Jawi: ; "The Blissful Abode"). Kelantan is located in t ...

ese to be highly beneficial for postpartum women. Hazardous effects of the extract were not reported so far. In addition, the Arabs, Persians, Indians, Malays and Chinese have traditionally used the galls after childbirth to treat vaginal discharge and related postpartum infections.

Gallery

File:Quercus boissieri Izmir.jpg, Autumn foliage, Izmir, Turkey File:Quercus boissieri galls 2.JPG, leaves with galls File:Quercus boissieri galls 3.JPG, leaf with galls File:Gall_on_quercus_boissieri,_Israel.jpg, gall File:Quercus boissieri gall 1.JPG, gall

References

External links

Detailed_studies_on_Quercus_infectoria_Olivier_(nutgalls)_as_an_alternative_treatment_for_methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus
_infections.html" ;"title="methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus">Detailed studies on Quercus infectoria Olivier (nutgalls) as an alternative treatment for methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus">Detailed_studies_on_Quercus_infectoria_Olivier_(nutgalls)_as_an_alternative_treatment_for_methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus
_infections
Pharmacognostic_studies_of_insect_gall_of_Quercus_infectoria_Olivier_(Fagaceae).

The_potential_of_aqueous_and_acetone_extracts_of_galls_of_Quercus_infectoria_as_antibacterial_agents

Detailed_studies_on_''Quercus_infectoria''_Olivier_(nutgalls)_as_an_alternative_treatment_for_methicillin-resistant_Staphylococcus_aureus_infections

Pharmacognostic_studies_of_insect_gall_of_''Quercus_infectoria''_Olivier_(Fagaceae).

The_potential_of_aqueous_and_acetone_extracts_of_galls_of_''Quercus_infectoria''_as_antibacterial_agents

Manjakani_for_vaginal_tightening

Scanning_Microscope-Energy_Dispersive_X-Ray_(Sem-Edx)_Studies_of_Quercus_infectoria_Gall
{{Tannin_source Quercus.html" ;"title="methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
infections">methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus">Detailed studies on Quercus infectoria Olivier (nutgalls) as an alternative treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
infections
Pharmacognostic studies of insect gall of Quercus infectoria Olivier (Fagaceae).

The potential of aqueous and acetone extracts of galls of Quercus infectoria as antibacterial agents

Detailed studies on ''Quercus infectoria'' Olivier (nutgalls) as an alternative treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections

Pharmacognostic studies of insect gall of ''Quercus infectoria'' Olivier (Fagaceae).

The potential of aqueous and acetone extracts of galls of ''Quercus infectoria'' as antibacterial agents

Manjakani for vaginal tightening

Scanning Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (Sem-Edx) Studies of Quercus infectoria Gall
{{Tannin source Quercus">infectoria Medicinal plants Flora of Lebanon Plants described in 1801 Trees of Europe Trees of Asia Tannins