Hintonia standleyana
Hintonia standleyana, commonly known as the "bitter bark," is a significant medicinal plant native to the tropical forests of Mexico and Central America. Renowned for its potent hypoglycemic properties, it is traditionally used to manage diabetes and regulate blood glucose levels, offering valuable insights into natural antidiabetic treatments.
- Scientific name: Hintonia standleyana
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae. Its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Hintonia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Hintonia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Hintonia standleyana, is known by various names depending on the region and language. In English, it is commonly referred to as bitter vine, while in Spanish, it is known as hierba de la diabetes or bitter vine. In Maya, the plant is called xunka'an.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant is primarily found within specific regions of North and Central America. In Mexico, its presence extends across the coastal areas of the Mexico Gulf. Additionally, it can be located throughout the Mexico Southwest region. Moving further south, its range reaches into Central America. Specifically, the species is known to grow within the borders of Guatemala.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Hintonia standleyana, is a medicinal tree whose therapeutic properties are derived from specific anatomical components. The stem bark is highly valued in traditional medicine, often being processed to extract compounds used for treating various ailments. Additionally, the leaves are frequently utilized in decoctions or infusions, contributing to the plant's overall pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Hintonia standleyana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include chlorogenic acid, 4-phenylcoumarins.
- Total chemicals
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 4-phenylcoumarins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Hintonia standleyana has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antidiabetic, gastrointestinal disorders.
- Total uses
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |