Coptis
Coptis, commonly known as goldthread, is a perennial herb prized in traditional medicine for its bright yellow rhizomes. Rich in the alkaloid berberine, it possesses potent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This resilient plant is frequently utilized to treat digestive ailments and various infections in herbal remedies worldwide.
- Scientific name: Coptis
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Ranunculales, it is a member of the family Ranunculaceae. Specifically, it is classified under the genus Coptis.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Coptis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Coptis, is referred to by several common names depending on the region and language used. In Simplified Chinese, it is known as 黄连属 (zh-hans) and 黄连属 (zh-cn), while in Traditional Chinese, it is called 黃連屬 (zh-hant). Additionally, in Hong Kong, it is identified as 黃連屬 (zh-hk), and in Singapore, it is referred to as 黄连属 (zh-sg).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh-hans | 黄连属 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 黃連屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 黃連屬 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 黄连属 | Wikidata |
| zh-sg | 黄连属 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 黃連屬 | Wikidata |
| ja | オウレン属 | Wikidata |
| pl | Cynowód | Wikidata |
| vi | Chi Hoàng liên | Wikidata |
| ar | قبطيس | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across the rugged territories of Northern Asia. In the vast expanse of Siberia, it can be specifically found within the Yakutiya region. Moving toward the Russian Far East, its presence extends through the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Khabarovsk area. The species also inhabits the coastal reaches of the Kuril Islands. Finally, its range continues through the remote and northern landscapes of Magadan.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Siberia | Yakutiya | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kamchatka | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kuril Is. | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Magadan | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Coptis chinensis, is highly valued in traditional medicine primarily for its concentrated therapeutic compounds found underground. The medicinal potency is concentrated within the rhizo-ma Coptis, which serves as the main source of berberine. Specifically, the rhizomes are harvested and processed to ensure maximum efficacy. While the distinction between the root and the rhizome can be subtle in some species, in this plant, the thick, fleshy roots and the creeping rhizome structures work together to store essential nutrients. Therefore, most traditional preparations utilize the entire underground portion, specifically focusing on the nutrient-rich rhizo-ma Coptis to treat various ailments.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| rhizomes | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizome | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rhizoma Coptis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhizoma Coptidis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Coptis has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Berberine, coptisine.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Berberine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| coptisine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Coptis has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Coptis has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's disease, Oxidative stress, Staphylococcus aureus, antidiabetic, colon cancer.
- Total uses
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Oxidative stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| colon cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammatory bowel disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |