Aristolochia ringens
Aristolochia ringens, commonly known as Moonflower or Wild Ginger, is a climbing perennial native to tropical regions. Renowned for its unique, tubular blossoms, this plant has historically been used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation and digestive ailments. However, its use requires caution due to potential nephrotoxicity.
- Scientific name: Aristolochia ringens
- Family: Aristolochiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Aristolochia ringens, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae within the order Piperales. Finally, it is a member of the family Aristolochiaceae and the genus Aristolochia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Piperales | WCVP |
| Family | Aristolochiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Aristolochia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Aristolochia ringens, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Thailand, it is called ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ, while in Malayalam, it is known as ഗരുഡപ്പൂവ്. In Chinese-speaking regions, the names remain consistent across different scripts, being identified as 麻雀花 in Traditional Chinese (zh-tw), Simplified Chinese (zh-cn), and standard Mandarin (zh).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| th | ไก่ฟ้าพญาลอ | Wikidata |
| ml | ഗരുഡപ്പൂവ് | Wikidata |
| zh | 麻雀花 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 麻雀花 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 麻雀花 | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 麻雀花 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant, known as Aristolochia ringens, is primarily found within the diverse landscapes of West Tropical Africa. Its natural range extends across several key nations, including the coastal and inland regions of Benin and Ghana. Additionally, the species can be located within the territories of Guinea and Nigeria. The geographical presence of this medicinal plant also reaches as far as Senegal. Collectively, these locations highlight its specific distribution throughout the West African tropical belt.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
| Australia | Queensland | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Aristolochia ringens, is a medicinal climber where the root serves as a primary component used in traditional applications. The root system is typically robust and is often harvested for its specific chemical properties, which are believed to hold therapeutic potential in certain folk medicine practices. While other parts of the plant may be used, the root remains a significant focus for those studying its bioactive constituents.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Aristolochia ringens has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include aristolochic acid, aristolochic acid I, aristolone, flavonoids, phenols.
- Total chemicals
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| aristolochic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aristolochic acid I | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aristolone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Aristolochia ringens has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Mutagenic.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Aristolochia ringens has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Bacillus cereus, colorectal cancer, hyperglycemia, insomnia, rheumatoid arthritis.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Bacillus cereus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colorectal cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hyperglycemia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| insomnia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |