Cissampelos pareira

Cisampelos pareira, commonly known as Pareira Brava, is a climbing medicinal herb native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda, it possesses potent astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. It is frequently utilized to treat digestive disorders, skin ailments, and various inflammatory conditions, offering significant therapeutic potential.

  • Scientific name: Cissampelos pareira
  • Family: Menispermaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and order Ranunculales, it is further categorized into the family Menispermaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established under the genus Cissampelos.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ranunculales WCVP
Family Menispermaceae WCVP
Genus Cissampelos WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Cissampelos pareira, is known by various regional names across different languages and cultures. In Malayalam, it is referred to as മലതാങ്ങി (malathangi), while in Nepali, it is called गुज्जरगानो (gujjarghano). Its Odia name is ଅକାନବିନ୍ଧି (akanabindi), and in Chinese, it is commonly known as 锡生藤 (xīshēngténg). Additionally, in Thai, the plant is identified as กรุงเขมา (krung-khema).
Language Common Name Source
ml മലതാങ്ങി Wikidata
ne गुज्जरगानो Wikidata
or ଅକାନବିନ୍ଧି Wikidata
zh 锡生藤 Wikidata
th กรุงเขมา Wikidata
sat ᱛᱮᱡᱚ ᱢᱟᱞᱟ Wikidata
zh-cn 锡生藤 Wikidata
zh-tw 锡生藤 Wikidata
my ကြွက်နားပေါင်း Wikidata
shn ယႃႈႁူၼူ Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West-Central Tropical Africa, its presence has been documented in Rwanda. Moving toward Northeast Tropical Africa, it can be found spanning across Ethiopia, Somalia, and the territories of Sudan and South Sudan. Additionally, the species extends its reach into East Tropical Africa, specifically within Kenya. Collectively, these locations highlight a wide longitudinal spread throughout the tropical zones of Africa.

Region Area Source
West-Central Tropical Africa Rwanda WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Ethiopia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Somalia WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Sudan-South Sudan WCVP
East Tropical Africa Kenya WCVP
East Tropical Africa Tanzania WCVP
East Tropical Africa Uganda WCVP
South Tropical Africa Mozambique WCVP
South Tropical Africa Zimbabwe WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Aldabra WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as pareira, utilizes various components for its medicinal properties, though the most significant parts are the roots. The large, tuberous roots are the primary part used in traditional remedies, often prepared as a decoction to treat digestive issues. Even a single, potent root can provide concentrated therapeutic benefits, while the green leaf serves as a key identifying characteristic of the species during its growth phase.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
roots 4 ★★☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Cissampelos pareira has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 8 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include benzylisoquinolines, bisbenzylisoquinolines, curine, fatty acids, flavonoids.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
8

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
benzylisoquinolines 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bisbenzylisoquinolines 1 ★☆☆☆☆
curine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fatty acids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hayatinine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 1 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Cissampelos pareira has 12 reported activities identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimalarial, Antiarthritic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antidiabetic.

Total activities
12
Scientific sources
14

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antimalarial 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antiarthritic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antifertility 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antinociceptive 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Cissampelos pareira has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include fever, malaria, COVID-19, antimalarial, arthritis.

Total uses
14
Scientific sources
16

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
fever 2 ★☆☆☆☆
malaria 2 ★☆☆☆☆
COVID-19 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antimalarial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dengue 1 ★☆☆☆☆
infectious diseases 1 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 1 ★☆☆☆☆
pain 1 ★☆☆☆☆