Indian birthwort

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian birthwort
• Indian Dutchman's pipe

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aristolochia indica var. lanceolata
• Aristolochia indica var. oxyphylla
• Aristolochia indica var. magna
• Aristolochia lanceolata
• Aristolochia maysorensis

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Piperales, it is classified under the family Aristolochiaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Aristolochia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Aristolochia indica, exhibits a widespread distribution across the diverse landscapes of the Indian Subcontinent. It is commonly found growing within the various regions of India. Its presence extends further into the neighboring territories of Bangladesh and Nepal. Additionally, the species can be located within the lush environments of Assam. Finally, its range encompasses the high-altitude terrains of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Aristolochia indica is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial herb, it maintains a continuous presence in its habitat, often developing robust rhizomatous or root systems that enable it to survive periods of dormancy and regrow annually. This long-term growth strategy allows the plant to establish a stable footprint within its ecological niche, transitioning through various stages of vegetative development and seasonal flowering cycles over several years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Aristolochia indica is characterized by its growth form as a herb and a climbing plant, specifically functioning as an obligatory climber. It is a terrestrial species, existing in non-aquatic environments, and it maintains an independent life cycle as it is not a parasite. Regarding its structural composition, the plant exhibits variable woodiness, allowing it to adapt its physical support and stem structure as it climbs through its habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

variable

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Aristolochia indica has 2 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. PloS one
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of natural products
4. Ancient science of life

Leaf

1. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Parasitology research

Chemicals

Aristolochia indica has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Aristolochic acid I, Tannins, Aristolic acid, Aristolindiquinone, Aristolochic acid.

Aristolochic acid I

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of natural products

Tannins

1. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
2. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Aristolic acid

1. Journal of natural products

Aristolindiquinone

1. Journal of natural products

Aristolochic acid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aristolochic acid II

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

CHLOROFORM

1. Ancient science of life

Cepharadione A

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

EA1

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

HEXANE

1. Ancient science of life

Activities

Aristolochia indica has 11 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Antifungal.

Abortifacient

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antibacterial

1. Ancient science of life
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antifungal

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antivenom

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Fibrinolytic

1. PloS one

Repellent

1. Parasitology research

Teratogenic

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Conditions

Aristolochia indica has 15 reported investigations on conditions identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Alzheimer's disease, Cerebrovascular Diseases, Plasmodium falciparum, dyspepsia, fertility.

Alzheimer's disease

1. ACS omega

Cerebrovascular diseases

1. PloS one

Plasmodium falciparum

1. Parasitology research

Dyspepsia

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fertility

1. Journal of natural products

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leishmaniasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leprosy

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Malaria

1. Parasitology research

Preparations

Aristolochia indica has 13 reported preparations identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves, Aqueous extract, Root water extracts, Roots, aqueous extract.

Leaves

1. Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Root water extracts

1. PloS one

Roots

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Ancient science of life

Chloroform extract

1. Ancient science of life

Crude extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extract

1. Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Hexane extract

1. Ancient science of life

Leaf extracts

1. Parasitology research