Indian goldthread

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian goldthread
• goldthread
• Yunnan goldthread

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Coptis teeta, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Ranunculales and the family Ranunculaceae. Ultimately, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Coptis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning several distinct regions across Asia. Within China, it can be found specifically in the South-Central areas as well as in Tibet. Its range extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it grows in Assam and the East Himalaya. Additionally, the species is distributed throughout the Indo-China region, particularly in Myanmar. These diverse locations highlight the varied habitats where this medicinal plant thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Coptis teeta is characterized by its specific distribution within montane environments, where it occupies a distinct vertical niche. This species is found across a substantial altitudinal gradient, with its habitat ranging from a minimum elevation of 1,300 m AMSL to a maximum of 3,000 m AMSL. On average, the plant thrives at a mean elevation of 1,900 m AMSL, suggesting a preference for mid-to-high altitude ecological zones that likely provide the specific temperature and moisture regimes necessary for its growth and medicinal potency.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Coptis teeta is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its habitat over multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it undergoes a recurring developmental cycle, establishing a stable root system that facilitates survival through seasonal fluctuations. This longevity enables the plant to accumulate resources over several years, supporting its reproductive efforts and maintaining its presence within its specific ecological niche.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Coptis teeta is characterized by its herbaceous growth form, manifesting as a non-woody plant. It lacks woody tissue, maintaining a soft, succulent, or fibrous structure throughout its vegetative parts. Additionally, the plant exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, meaning it possesses the structural integrity to ascend or spread without requiring external support or being strictly dependent on other structures for its upright posture.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Coptis teeata is characterized by the development of specific fruit structures that exhibit distinct morphological variations in size. The fruits produced by this species vary in dimensions, with recorded lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.7 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm, maintaining an average length of 0.8 cm. In terms of width, the fruits demonstrate a similar range of variability, with minimum measurements of 0.3 cm and maximum widths reaching 0.4 cm, resulting in a mean fruit width of 0.35 cm. These precise measurements in fruit length and width define the characteristic reproductive output of the plant.

Fruit length max:

0.9 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.8 cm

Fruit length min:

0.7 cm

Fruit width max:

0.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.35 cm

Fruit width min:

0.3 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Coptis teeta has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome.

Rhizome

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Coptis teeta has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Coptisine, Jatrorrhizine, Palmatine, berberine, (S)-Scoulerine.

Coptisine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Fitoterapia
3. Frontiers in plant science
4. Frontiers in pharmacology
5. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Jatrorrhizine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Fitoterapia
3. Frontiers in plant science
4. Frontiers in pharmacology

Palmatine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Fitoterapia
3. Frontiers in plant science
4. Frontiers in pharmacology

berberine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. 3 Biotech
3. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

(S)-Scoulerine

1. Frontiers in plant science

(S)-Tetrahydrocolumbamine

1. Frontiers in plant science

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Planta medica

Columbamine

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Epiberberine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Magnoflorine

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Activities

Coptis teeta has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.

Antioxidant

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Neuroprotective

1. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Conditions

Coptis teeta has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, gout, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Glaucoma

1. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Gout

1. Fitoterapia

Hyperglycemia

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hyperlipidemia

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Malaria

1. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine

Neurodegenerative diseases

1. Alternative therapies in health and medicine

Obesity

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Urolithiasis

1. Fitoterapia

Preparations

Coptis teeta has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Unani plant-based formulation.

Unani plant-based formulation

1. Alternative therapies in health and medicine