Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, commonly known as the blood-leaf plant, is a remarkable medicinal herb valued in traditional healing practices. Renowned for its distinct reddish pigmentation, this species is utilized for its potent bioactive compounds, which offer significant antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a subject of intense pharmacological interest.
- Scientific name: Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
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.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Cryptolepis | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant is known by several different common names depending on the region and linguistic context. In Estonia, it is referred to as puugi-raviväät, while in Spanish-speaking areas, it is identified through various names including Strophantus radcliffei, Pergularia sanguinolenta, and Cryptolepis triangularis.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| et | puugi-raviväät | Wikidata |
| es | Strophanthus radcliffei | Wikidata |
| es | Pergularia sanguinolenta | Wikidata |
| es | Cryptolepis triangularis | Wikidata |
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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Benin | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ivory Coast | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Liberia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Mali | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Senegal | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Cryptolepis sanguinolenta, is highly valued in traditional medicine for its diverse therapeutic components. The medicinal properties are primarily concentrated in the roots, where the active alkaloids are most potent. Practitioners often utilize the root bark to prepare infusions or decoctions, while the leaves are also recognized for their secondary medicinal contributions. When processed into a concentrated extract, these various elements work synergistically to provide powerful antimalarial and antimicrobial effects. Whether focusing on the deep-seated root system or the foliage, each part contributes to the plant's significant pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 15
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root bark | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous and ethanol extracts of the root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 18 reported phytochemicals identified across 37 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include cryptolepine, Cryptolepine, neocryptolepine, cryptoheptine, isocryptolepine.
- Total chemicals
- 18
- Scientific sources
- 37
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cryptolepine | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| Cryptolepine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| neocryptolepine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cryptoheptine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isocryptolepine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CH2Cl2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cryptolepine hydrochloride | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| EtOH | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Quindoline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 7 reported activities identified across 11 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic, Anticomplementary, Antifungal, Antimalarial.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 11
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticomplementary | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimalarial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiparasitic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Cryptolepis sanguinolenta has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 23 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include malaria, cancers, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Gram-negative bacteria.
- Total uses
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 23
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| malaria | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancers | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-negative bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gram-positive bacteria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Lyme disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Malaria | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |