Herpetospermum pedunculosum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Herpetospermum caudigerum
• Herpetospermum pedunculosum
• Rampinia herpetospermoides
• Bryonia pedunculosa
• Herpetospermum grandiflorum

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Herpetospermum pedunculosum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is further classified under the order Cucurbitales and the family Cucurbitaceae. Its taxonomic hierarchy concludes within the genus Herpetospermum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across parts of East and South Asia. In China, it can be found growing within the South-Central regions as well as in Tibet. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is specifically documented in Assam. Furthermore, the species inhabits the rugged landscapes of the East Himalaya. Finally, its range includes the mountainous terrain of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Herpetospermum pedunculosum is defined by its specific adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a restricted vertical distribution. This species is primarily found in specialized ecological niches situated at high elevations, occupying a precise altitudinal belt that ranges from a minimum of 2100 m AMSL to a maximum of 3100 m AMSL. Such a high-elevation range suggests that the plant is adapted to the unique climatic conditions characteristic of these altitudes, including lower temperatures, increased UV exposure, and potentially higher levels of cloud cover or mist. Its presence within this specific 1000-meter elevation window indicates a high degree of ecological specialization, likely tied to the specific soil compositions and moisture regimes found in these high-mountain habitats.

Elevational range max:

3100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

2100 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Herpetospermum pedunculosum is characterized by its specialized growth habit and structural composition. As a non-woody herb, the plant lacks significant lignified tissue, resulting in a soft, flexible stem structure. It functions as an obligatory climber, relying on external supports to ascend through its environment rather than maintaining a self-supporting vertical posture. Despite its climbing nature, the plant maintains a terrestrial life strategy, establishing itself in soil rather than growing as an epiphyte.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Herpetospermum pedunculosum has 3 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 seed, fruit, stem.

Seed

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Natural product research
3. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology
4. BMC genomics
5. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Fruit

1. Journal of natural medicines

Stem

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Herpetospermum pedunculosum has 16 reported phytochemicals identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lignans, Dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, Herpetrione, Herpetotriol, Herpetin.

Lignans

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytochemistry
3. BMC genomics
4. International journal of biological macromolecules
5. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol

1. International journal of biological macromolecules
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
3. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
4. Journal of integrative medicine

Herpetrione

1. Research (Washington, D.C.)
2. BMC genomics
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology
4. Journal of integrative medicine

Herpetotriol

1. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology
2. BMC genomics
3. Journal of integrative medicine

Herpetin

1. BMC genomics
2. Journal of integrative medicine

(+)-Pinoresinol

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

CONIFERYL ALCOHOL

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Compound 1

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Coumarins

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Cucurbitacin B

1. Natural product research

Activities

Herpetospermum pedunculosum has 3 reported activities identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Hepatoprotective

1. BMC genomics
2. International journal of biological macromolecules

Antioxidant

1. BMC genomics

Cytotoxic

1. Phytochemistry

Conditions

Herpetospermum pedunculosum has 12 reported investigations on conditions identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include liver diseases, antioxidant, breast carcinoma, cholestasis, ferroptosis.

Liver diseases

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antioxidant

1. BMC genomics

Breast carcinoma

1. Phytochemistry

Cholestasis

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ferroptosis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatobiliary diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatocellular carcinoma

1. Phytochemistry

Indigestion

1. Canadian journal of physiology and pharmacology

Jaundice

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Herpetospermum pedunculosum has 13 reported preparations identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Ethyl acetate extract, Water extract from Herpetospermum pedunculosum, bioactive extract, bolingguazi, ethanol extract.

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Water extract from herpetospermum pedunculosum

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bioactive extract

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Bolingguazi

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of natural medicines

Ethyl acetate extract from the seeds

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Ethyl acetate extract of the stems

1. Phytochemistry

Mature dried seeds

1. Plant physiology and biochemistry : PPB

Petroleum ether extracts

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Seed oil

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology