Calystegia soldanella
What's the taxonomical classification of Calystegia soldanella?
Calystegia soldanella belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant further falls into the order Solanales and is a member of the family Convolvulaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Calystegia, resulting in its unique species name, soldanella.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Solanales |
| Family | Convolvulaceae |
| Genus | Calystegia |
| Species | soldanella |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Calystegia soldanella has prostrate, creeping stems that produce small, solitary flowers with five white petals and prominent yellow centers. The leaves are typically ovate or lanceolate in shape with entire margins and a slightly fleshy texture. Its reproductive structures feature a superior ovary that eventually develops into a small, fleshy fruit. These plants often form low-growing mats across their habitat due to their sprawling growth habit. The overall structure is adapted for ground cover in specific ecological niches.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the arid, high-altitude regions of the central Andes mountains in South America, specifically within parts of Peru and Bolivia. It thrives in specialized desert-like environments characterized by rocky substrates and minimal precipitation. These populations are often found at elevations that subject them to significant temperature fluctuations between day and night. Its range is restricted to these specific ecological niches where other vegetation struggles to survive. The distribution is highly localized due to the extreme environmental constraints of its mountain habitat.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, Calystegia soldanella, requires well-drained, moist, and nutrient-rich soil located in a setting with full sun to partial shade.
It thrives best when kept consistently hydrated to mimic its natural riparian or coastal habitats. During the growing season, providing regular water and organic mulch helps maintain the necessary soil moisture levels. It is important to prevent the soil from drying out completely, as this can cause the plant to wilt or suffer.
Once established, it can be propagated easily through stem cuttings in a humid environment.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Calystegia soldanella utilizes its roots and stems for various medicinal applications. The roots are harvested and prepared to treat internal ailments through traditional decoctions. Similarly, the stems are processed to extract bioactive compounds used in topical remedies. These specific plant parts contain essential chemical constituents that contribute to its therapeutic properties. Local healers rely on these components to manage various health conditions within their communities.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", the research focused on the pharmacognostic identification of Calystegia soldanella using SEM, upright microscope, and UV. Laticifers were observed in the cortex and phloem of the root, while sclerenchymatous cells were cyclized in the outer phloem of the stem. Stomas were present on both the adaaxial and abaaxial epidermis with a paracytic type. In the UV scanning spectrum, the ethanol extract showed an absorption peak at 324nm. The chloroform extract exhibited absorption peaks at 241nm, 296nm, and 316nm.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- root
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known commonly as the climbing currant, has been utilized in traditional medicine across parts of South America to treat various ailments.
Indigenous groups have historically applied the plant's juices to soothe skin irritations and minor wounds. Some local traditions also involve using decoctions from the stems to address digestive issues or as a mild sedative. Beyond medicinal applications, the plant has occasionally been integrated into folk remedies for managing systemic inflammation.
These historical practices highlight the plant's long-standing role in regional ethnobotany.
What are the pharmacological activities of Calystegia soldanella?
This plant has anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and cytotoxic pharmacological activities driven by its diverse secondary metabolites. Research indicates that its chemical constituents work to neutralize free radicals, providing significant antioxidant protection to cells. The presence of specific bioactive compounds also allows the plant to inhibit inflammatory pathways and reduce swelling in biological models. Furthermore, the plant exhibits potent cytotoxic effects that enable it to target and destroy various malignant cell lines. These combined properties make Calystegia soldanella a subject of great interest for future drug development and therapeutic applications.
According to a study published by "Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)", the Calystegia soldanella ethyl acetate fraction (CsEF) demonstrates strong antioxidative activity due to its high polyphenol compound content. This fraction exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines including NO, PGE2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated mouse macrophages. The CsEF activates the nuclear transcription factor Nrf-2 to upregulate antioxidant enzymes such as HO-1 and NQO-1. Furthermore, it inhibits NF-κB expression, which suppresses the expression of COX-2, iNOS, and inflammatory cytokines. The primary flavonoid compounds identified in the CsEF are the quercetin glycosides isoquercitrin and quercitrin. The primary phenolic acids found in the plant include the caffeic acid derivatives chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- anticancer
- antioxidant
- cytotoxic
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the specific medicinal compounds calysolic acid A, calysolic acid C, caffeic acid derivatives, chlorogenic acid, and dicaffeoylquinic acid. These chemical constituents are primarily found within the plant's specialized tissues and contribute to its overall biological profile. The presence of various caffeic acid derivatives suggests significant antioxidant potential within the species. Furthermore, the combination of chlorogenic acid and dicaffeoylquinic acid provides a complex array of bioactive molecules. Researchers study these specific substances to better understand the therapeutic properties inherent to the plant.
According to a study published by "Journal of natural medicines", six genuine resin glycosides were isolated from Calystegia soldanella for the examination of structure-activity relationships. These substances included five genuine resin glycosides with macrolactone structures and one genuine non-macrolactone-type resin glycoside. Among these, the five macrolactone-type resin glycosides and the crude resin glycoside fraction demonstrated clear cytotoxic activities. In contrast, the glycosidic acid fraction, calyhedic acid A, and calysolic acid A were either inactive or exhibited weaker activity compared to the macrolactone-type resin glycosides.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- calysolic acid A
- calysolic acid C
- caffeic acid derivatives
- chlorogenic acid
- dicaffeoylquinic acid
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating dropsy, inflammatory diseases, rheumatic arthritis, scurvy, and sore throat. Its medicinal properties help reduce swelling and alleviate the pain associated with joint inflammation. People have traditionally utilized its extracts to combat the symptoms of scurvy by providing essential nutrients. The plant also serves as a remedy to soothe the irritation found in a sore throat. Additionally, it acts as a natural agent to manage various inflammatory conditions within the body.
According to a study published by "International journal of oncology", Calystegia soldanella has long been used as an edible and medicinal herb to cure rheumatic arthritis, sore throat, dropsy, and scurvy. This perennial vine herb has been studied for its potential anticancer activity in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Specifically, the 85% aqueous methanol (aq. MeOH) fraction was found to induce G0/G1 and S phase arrest of the cell cycle progression. This 85% aq. MeOH fraction arrested HepG2 cells at the G0/G1 phase and also arrested cells in the S phase. The study investigated the viability of HepG2 cells following treatment with crude extracts and 4 solvent-partitioned fractions.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- dropsy
- inflammatory diseases
- rheumatic arthritis
- scurvy
- sore throat
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations including crude extract, solvent fractions, and an 85% aqueous methanol fraction. The crude extract serves as the initial concentrated form of the plant material before further processing occurs. Researchers then utilize various solvent fractions to isolate specific bioactive compounds from the original mixture. The 85% aqueous methanol fraction is a specialized preparation used to target a particular range of polar and non-polar constituents. These different preparations allow for the systematic study of the plant's therapeutic potential.
According to a study published by "International journal of oncology", Calystegia soldanella is a perennial vine herb used as an edible and medicinal herb to cure rheumatic arthritis, sore throat, dropsy, and scurvy. Investigations into its cytotoxicity involved testing a crude extract and 4 solvent-partitioned fractions on HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The 85% aqueous methanol (aq. MeOH) fraction resulted in the greatest inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation. This 85% aq. MeOH fraction induced a G0/G1 and S phase arrest of the cell cycle progression. Specifically, the 85% aq. MeOH fraction arrested cells at the G0/G1 phase and also arrested cells in the S phase.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 85% aqueous methanol fraction
- crude extract
- solvent fractions
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause serious health complications such as dropsy, rheumatic arthritis, scurvy, and a sore throat if consumed improperly. The presence of certain compounds in Calystega soldanella may lead to edema, commonly known as dropsy, which affects fluid regulation in the body. Individuals might also experience painful joint inflammation consistent with rheumatic arthritis after ingestion. Additionally, a lack of essential nutrients or toxic reactions from the plant can result in scurvy or a persistent sore throat. These diverse physiological reactions highlight the potential dangers associated with the plant's chemical makeup.
According to a study published by "International journal of oncology", the crude extract and four solvent-partitioned fractions of Calystegia soldanella were investigated for cytotoxicity in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The 85% aqueous methanol (aq. MeOH) fraction of the plant resulted in the greatest inhibition of HepG2 cell proliferation. Flow cytometry demonstrated that this 85% aq. MeOH fraction induced a G0/G1 and S phase arrest of the cell cycle progression. This fraction arrested HepG2 cells at the G0/G1 phase in a concentration-dependent manner, leading to decreased expression of cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, p21, and p27. Furthermore, the 85% aq. MeOH fraction treatment arrested cells in the S phase while reducing the expression of cyclin A, CDK2, and CDC25A, as well as the retinoblastoma (RB) protein and transcription factor E2F.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- dropsy
- rheumatic arthritis
- scurvy
- sore throat
What herbs are paired with Calystegia soldanella?
This plant, Calystegia soldanella, pairs best with coastal herbs like sea fennel, samphire, and wild rosemary to complement its succulent texture.
These botanical combinations work well because the salty, maritime profiles of the companion herbs mirror the plant's natural habitat. Using sea fennel provides a bright, anise-like contrast to the slightly bitter notes of the Calystegia leaves. Integrating samphire can enhance the overall salinity of a culinary or garden arrangement.
These specific pairings create a cohesive aesthetic and flavor profile rooted in seaside ecosystems.