Cryptolepis sanguinolenta

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Strophanthus radcliffei
• Pergularia sanguinolenta
• Cryptolepis triangularis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales. It is further categorized into the family Apocynaceae and the genus Cryptolepis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, its natural habitat includes the country of Benin. It can also be found growing within the borders of Burkina Faso. Furthermore, the species is documented in Ghana and Guinea-Bissau. Finally, its geographical range extends to the nation of Guinea.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form where the majority of the plant's vegetative tissue is held above the ground level. Within this morphological spectrum, it specifically exhibits traits associated with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, indicating a woody or semi-woody structure that maintains its buds and stems well above the soil surface. This perennial habit allows the plant to establish a persistent presence in its ecosystem, utilizing its elevated shoot system to navigate through surrounding vegetation and access light resources. As a phanerophyte, it avoids the seasonal vulnerability of smaller life forms by protecting its primary growing points, ensuring structural stability and long-term survival through successive growing seasons.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

Morphologically, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is characterized as a woody, shrub-like liana that exhibits an obligatory climbing habit. This terrestrial plant reaches a significant stature, with a mean height of approximately 7 meters and a maximum recorded height of up to 7.62 meters. Functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, it maintains a robust, woody growth form that allows it to ascend through its environment.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

7.62009266 m

Plant height mean:

7 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta is characterized by complex metabolic processes centered on the synthesis and sequestration of bioactive alkaloids, which serve as primary chemical defense mechanisms. Its physiological framework involves specialized secondary metabolic pathways that facilitate the production of various indole alkaloids, which are often localized within specific cellular compartments to manage chemical toxicity. Regarding its nutrient acquisition and symbiotic capabilities, the plant does not exhibit the physiological capacity for biological nitrogen fixation; it is not a nitrogen fixer and lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its nitrogen assimilation relies entirely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system. The plant's overall physiological vigor is heavily dependent on its ability to manage oxidative stress and maintain enzymatic activities that support both its primary growth and the continuous biosynthesis of its medicinal compounds.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 2 reported plant parts identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, leaf.

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Anti-cancer drug design
3. International journal of mycobacteriology
4. Journal of natural products
5. Planta medica

Leaf

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Cryptolepine, NEOCRYPTOLEPINE, CRYPTOHEPTINE, Quindoline, Saponins.

Cryptolepine

1. Journal of natural products
2. Anti-cancer drug design
3. International journal of mycobacteriology
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

NEOCRYPTOLEPINE

1. Journal of natural products
2. Anti-cancer drug design
3. International journal of molecular sciences

CRYPTOHEPTINE

1. Planta medica
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Quindoline

1. Journal of natural products
2. Planta medica

Saponins

1. Journal of clinical tuberculosis and other mycobacterial diseases
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

isocryptolepine

1. Current medicinal chemistry
2. Journal of natural products

CH2Cl2

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardiac Glycosides

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Cryptolepine hydrochloride

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Cryptolepinoic acid

1. Planta medica

Activities

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 7 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, Anticomplementary, Antifungal, Antimalarial.

Antibacterial

1. Current medicinal chemistry
2. Anti-cancer drug design
3. Planta medica

Cytotoxic

1. Current medicinal chemistry
2. Anti-cancer drug design
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticomplementary

1. Planta medica

Antifungal

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Antimalarial

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antiparasitic

1. Current medicinal chemistry

Antiviral

1. Planta medica

Conditions

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 19 reported investigations on conditions identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include malaria, cancers, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Gram-negative bacteria.

Malaria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Advances in pharmacological sciences
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Heliyon

Cancers

1. Journal of immunology research
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Candida albicans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Escherichia coli

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Gram-negative bacteria

1. Planta medica

Gram-positive bacteria

1. Planta medica

Lyme disease

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Malaria

1. Malaria journal

Plasmodium falciparum

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Staphylococcus aureus

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Preparations

Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 18 reported preparations identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract of the roots, 80% EtOH extract from the root bark, Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves and roots, C. sanguinolenta extracts, Cryptolepine extracts.

Ethanol extract of the roots

1. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences
2. Planta medica

80% etoh extract from the root bark

1. Planta medica

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the leaves and roots

1. Planta medica

C. sanguinolenta extracts

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Cryptolepine extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Three different extracts

1. Journal of natural products

Aqueous and ethanol extracts

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Aqueous extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Aqueous extract from the root bark

1. Planta medica

Ethanol extract

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies