Indian sarsaparilla

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Periploca indica
• Hemidesmus pubescens
• Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianales, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Hemidesmus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across various regions of the Indian Subcontinent. It can be found growing naturally throughout the diverse landscapes of India. Its presence extends into the neighboring territories of Pakistan and Bangladesh. Additionally, the species thrives within the specific environmental conditions of Assam. Finally, its geographical range encompasses the unique elevations of the East Himalaya.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Hemidesmus indicus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a climbing woody shrub, it establishes a robust root system that supports its long-term survival and continuous growth patterns. The plant typically undergoes a cycle of vegetative expansion through its twining stems and creeping rhizomes, followed by seasonal flowering and seed production. Because it is perennial, it does not die off after a single reproductive event but instead maintains its physiological presence in its natural habitat, often regenerating from its underground parts to ensure longevity across varying environmental conditions.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Hemidesmus indicus is characterized by its specialized growth habit and structural composition. It functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding vegetation for support to ascend. In terms of its growth form, the plant is classified as a shrub, exhibiting a perennial and robust developmental pattern. Furthermore, its structural integrity is defined by its woodiness, as it possesses a woody stem that provides the necessary durability and strength for its climbing lifestyle.

Climber :

obligatory

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hemidesmus indicus is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes and growth patterns adapted to tropical environments. As a perennial climber, it exhibits a robust root system that facilitates the uptake of essential nutrients and water from the soil to support its extensive rhizomatous growth. Regarding its nutrient cycling capabilities, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, typically found in leguminous species, meaning it relies entirely on the available nitrogenous compounds within the soil substrate for its protein synthesis and vegetative development. Its physiological processes include efficient photosynthesis to sustain its climbing habit and a complex secondary metabolism responsible for the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds, which are stored primarily within its roots and rhizomes.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hemidesmus indicus has 3 reported plant parts identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem, leaf.

Root

1. European journal of pharmacology
2. Current pharmaceutical biotechnology
3. Scientific reports
4. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
5. Journal of medicinal food

Stem

1. Biotechnology journal
2. SpringerPlus
3. Indian journal of experimental biology

Leaf

1. SpringerPlus

Chemicals

Hemidesmus indicus has 26 reported phytochemicals identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Lupeol, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzoic acid, 2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, Lupeol acetate.

Flavonoids

1. Natural product research
2. Biotechnology journal
3. Microbiological research
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Lupeol

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product research
3. Pathogens and disease
4. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-benzoic acid

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
3. Indian journal of experimental biology

2-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde

1. Journal of AOAC International
2. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Lupeol acetate

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Phenols

1. Biotechnology journal
2. Microbiological research

RUTIN

1. Dr. Duke
2. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Tannins

1. Dr. Duke
2. Natural product research

beta-Amyrin acetate

1. Dr. Duke
2. Die Pharmazie

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Hemidesmus indicus has 154 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antileukemic, Antimutagenic, Antipyretic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
3. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine
4. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
5. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antileukemic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Indian journal of experimental biology

Antipyretic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allelochemic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Hemidesmus indicus has 34 reported medicinal uses identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer's Disease, Alzheimer's disease, Diabetes Mellitus, E. coli, HIV-1.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations