African mile-a-minute
Mikania cordata · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (15 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
African mile-a-minute, scientifically known as Mikania cordata, is a vigorous climbing vine native to tropical regions. While celebrated in traditional medicine for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties, it is also classified as a highly invasive species. Understanding its medicinal potential requires balancing its benefits with ecological management.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Africa
- Parts used
- Root · Leaf
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Mikania Carteri · Eupatorium Cordatum · 3 more
Names
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Mikania cordataSynonyms
- Mikania carteri
- Eupatorium cordatum
- Eupatorium volubile
- Mikania volubilis
- Eupatorium trinitarium var. volubile
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Asterales and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Ultimately, it is categorized under the genus Mikania.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Mikania | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily found within the diverse ecosystems of West Tropical Africa. Its specific geographical range includes the nation of Gambia, where it grows in local habitats. It is also documented to occur throughout the coastal and inland regions of Ghana. Furthermore, the species can be identified within the territories of Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Finally, its distribution extends to the tropical landscapes of the Ivory Coast.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | 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 |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Mikaenia cordata, is a climbing vine known for its various therapeutic applications involving different components of its anatomy. While the whole plant is often utilized in traditional herbal preparations to harness its full spectrum of bioactive compounds, specific focus is frequently placed on its lush, heart-shaped leaves. These leaves serve as a primary source of medicinal potency, particularly when processed into concentrated leaf extracts that are used for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, although less commonly cited than the foliage, the root system also contributes to the plant's overall medicinal profile, completing the diverse array of parts used in botanical healing.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| root | Planta medica (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | Fitoterapia (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Mikania cordata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Scandenolide.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Scandenolide | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Scandenolide
- Planta medica
Activities
Mikania cordata has 1 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticarcinogenic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anticarcinogenic | Cancer letters (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Mikania cordata has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include bleeding, cough, gastric ulcer, gastrointestinal disorders, wound healing.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| bleeding | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastric ulcer | The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastrointestinal disorders | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wound healing | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | BMC complementary medicine and therapies (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| A decoction | The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanolic extract of the leaves | Fitoterapia (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanolic extract of this plant root | Cancer letters (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root extract | The Italian journal of biochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vegetable | Cancer letters (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |