Gymnema inodorum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Parsonsia inodora
• Bidaria inodora
• Bidaria syringifolia
• Bidaria tingens
• Gymnema tingens
• Marsdenia tingens
• Asclepias tingens
• Bidaria pubiflora
• Gymnema pubiflora
• Gymnema syringifolium
• Gymnema tingens var. cordifolium
• Cynanchum inodorum
• Marsdenia syringifolia
• Marsdenia inodora

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, falling into the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Gymnema.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, its presence is documented throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is specifically found in the state of Assam. Additionally, it extends its range into the neighboring country of Bangladesh. These diverse locations highlight the varied habitats where the plant can be discovered.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Gymnema inodorum is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located high above the ground on woody stems. Within the broader spectrum of its ecological strategy, it specifically exhibits traits consistent with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte classifications, indicating a perennial growth habit that relies on elevated, persistent stem structures to survive unfavorable seasonal conditions. This growth strategy allows the plant to maintain a stable presence in its native habitat, utilizing its woody architecture to support foliage and reproductive structures throughout its life cycle.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Gymnema inodorum is characterized by its distinct growth habit and structural composition. It functions as an obligatory climber, relying on external structures for upward movement and support. In terms of its growth form, the plant is classified as a shrub, exhibiting a more robust and perennial structural development compared to simple herbs. Furthermore, the plant possesses a woody nature, featuring lignified tissues that provide the necessary strength and durability for its climbing life cycle.

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiological structure of Gymnema inoctorum is characterized by specific foliar dimensions that facilitate its metabolic processes. The leaves exhibit a variable morphology, with a mean leaf length of 7.5 cm, though they can range from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 11 cm. Similarly, the lateral expansion of the foliage shows significant diversity; the mean leaf width is recorded at 5 cm, with individual leaves measuring as narrow as 2 cm at their minimum and reaching a maximum width of 8 cm. These variations in leaf surface area and dimensions play a critical role in the plant's photosynthetic efficiency and its ability to regulate gas exchange and transpiration within its natural habitat.

Leaf length max:

11 cm

Leaf length mean:

7.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf width max:

8 cm

Leaf width mean:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gymnema inoctorum is characterized by the development of inflorescences and the subsequent formation of distinct fruits. The inflorescences exhibit a varying length, ranging from a minimum of 0.015 m to a maximum of 0.04 m. Following pollination, the plant produces elongated fruits that show significant dimensional variability. The length of these fruits ranges from a minimum of 8.5 cm to a maximum of 11 cm, with an observed mean length of 9.75 cm. In contrast to the variation in length, the fruit width remains highly consistent, maintaining a minimum, maximum, and mean width of 2 cm throughout the reproductive cycle.

Fruit length max:

11 cm

Fruit length mean:

9.75 cm

Fruit length min:

8.5 cm

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.015 m

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gymnema inodorum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Heliyon

Chemicals

Gymnema inodorum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include GA.

GA

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Gymnema inodorum has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antihyperglycemic, Antioxidant, Antipyretic.

Antihyperglycemic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Antipyretic

1. Biological trace element research

Conditions

Gymnema inodorum has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include anti-allergic, antipyretic, cataract, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus.

Anti-allergic

1. Biological trace element research

Antipyretic

1. Biological trace element research

Cataract

1. Biological trace element research

Coronary artery disease

1. Biological trace element research

Diabetes mellitus

1. Biological trace element research

Gout

1. Biological trace element research

Liver cancer

1. Biological trace element research

Metabolic diseases

1. Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle

Obesity

1. Nutrients

Rheumatoid arthritis

1. Biological trace element research

Preparations

Gymnema inodorum has 8 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaf extract, Aqueous Crude Leaf Extract, Gymnema inodorum extract, Soxhleth's extraction using ethanol, Tea.

Leaf extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
2. Heliyon

Aqueous crude leaf extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Gymnema inodorum extract

1. Journal of cachexia, sarcopenia and muscle

Soxhleth's extraction using ethanol

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tea

1. Nutrients

Ethanol extracts

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Extract

1. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

Water extract

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)