Pergularia daemia

Pergularia daemia, commonly known as the swallow-wort, is a climbing medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned in traditional medicine, its leaves and stems contain bioactive glycosides used to treat ailments ranging from skin diseases to respiratory issues. This potent plant remains a significant subject in contemporary ethnopharmacological research.

  • Scientific name: Pergularia daemia
  • Family: Apocynaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Gentianaales, it is a member of the family Apocynaceae. Ultimately, its scientific identity is defined by the genus Pergularia, specifically the species Pergularia daemia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Gentianales WCVP
Family Apocynaceae WCVP
Genus Pergularia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Pergularia daemia, is referred to by several different common names across various languages and regions. In Tamil, it is known as வேலிபருத்தி (vēliparutti), while in Bengali, it can be identified by the names অজশৃঙ্গী (ajaśṛṅgī), ছাগলবটি (cāgalabaṭi), or দুধিលতা (dudhilatā). Additionally, in the Tulu language, it is commonly called ಉಗುರುಬೂರು (ugurubūru).
Language Common Name Source
ta வேலிபருத்தி Wikidata
bn অজশৃঙ্গী | ছাগলবটি |  দুধিলতা Wikidata
tcy ಉಗುರುಬೂರು Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is noted specifically within Algeria. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, the species can be found in Benin and Burkina. It also maintains a significant range within the territories of Gambia and Ghana. Consequently, these diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive across varied West African landscapes.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Benin WCVP
West Tropical Africa Burkina WCVP
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

Plant Parts

This plant, Pergularia daemia, is a climbing shrub in which the leaves play a significant role in its medicinal profile. The leaves are typically arranged in an opposite manner along the stem, appearing ovate or elliptical in shape with smooth margins. In traditional medicinal practices, these leaves are often utilized for their various bioactive compounds, contributing to the plant's known therapeutic properties in treating different ailments.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Pergularia daemia has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Chlorogenic acid, Evodiamine, Piperine, acetone, chloroform.

Total chemicals
12
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Chlorogenic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Evodiamine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Piperine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
acetone 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chloroform 1 ★☆☆☆☆
chrysoeriol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ethyl acetate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
formononetin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hexane 1 ★☆☆☆☆
methanol 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Pergularia daemia has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.

Total activities
2
Scientific sources
2

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Neuroprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Pergularia daemia has 19 reported medicinal uses identified across 22 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, epilepsy, inflammation, Plasmodium falciparum, anemia.

Total uses
19
Scientific sources
22

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
arthritis 2 ★☆☆☆☆
epilepsy 2 ★☆☆☆☆
inflammation 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Plasmodium falciparum 1 ★☆☆☆☆
anemia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cognitive impairment 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cognitive impairments 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fever 1 ★☆☆☆☆
infections 1 ★☆☆☆☆