Indian kudzu

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian kudzu
• Nepalese kudzu

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hedysarum tuberosum
• Desmodium tuberosum

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is a member of the Fabaceae family. It is scientifically classified under the genus Pueraria, with the specific species being Pueraria tuberosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across the diverse landscapes of the Indian Subcontinent. It is widely recognized as being native to various regions within India, including the specific area of Assam. Beyond these borders, the species can also be found flourishing in the neighboring country of Bangladesh. Its presence extends into the rugged terrains of the East Himalaya, showcasing its adaptability to different altitudes. Furthermore, the plant is well-established within the mountainous landscapes of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Pueraria tuberosa is characterized by its growth habit as an obligatory climber, utilizing surrounding structures for support to ascend. The plant typically reaches a plant height with a mean measurement of approximately 1 m. As a climbing species, its structural development is adapted for vertical expansion, often forming dense mats or climbing through vegetation.

Climber :

obligatory

Plant height mean:

1 m

Physiology

The physiology of Pueraria tuberosa is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic synergy with soil microorganisms, most notably through its capacity as a nitrogen fixer. This process is facilitated by a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria, which colonize the plant's root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, a form readily assimilable by the plant. This biological nitrogen fixation provides a sustainable internal source of nutrients, reducing the plant's dependence on soil nitrogen levels and enhancing its growth vigor in nutrient-poor environments. Beyond this nitrogenous metabolism, the plant exhibits specialized physiological adaptations for storage and survival, utilizing its tuberous roots to accumulate significant starch reserves and secondary metabolites. These physiological mechanisms support energy mobilization during vegetative growth cycles and contribute to the complex biochemical profile used in various medicinal applications.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Pueraria tuberosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Chemicals

Pueraria tuberosa has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Puerarin, 2,3-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one, 5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, Biochanin B.

Puerarin

1. Pharmaceutical methods
2. Cancer management and research
3. Frontiers in pharmacology
4. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM

2,3-Dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4h-pyran-4-one

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

5-HYDROXYMETHYLFURFURAL

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Biochanin B

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Flavonoids

1. PloS one

Irisolidone

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Isoorientin

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Mangiferin

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Tannins

1. PloS one

Activities

Pueraria tuberosa has 13 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Nephroprotective, Antioxidant, Antiapoptotic, Anticancer, Anticonvulsant.

Nephroprotective

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
3. Frontiers in pharmacology
4. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antioxidant

1. Frontiers in pharmacology
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Antiapoptotic

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Anticancer

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Anticonvulsant

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antidiabetic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antifertility

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antiulcerogenic

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Cardioprotective

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Frontiers in pharmacology

Conditions

Pueraria tuberosa has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetic nephropathy, oxidative stress, DNA damage, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, apoptosis.

Diabetic nephropathy

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
3. Journal of diabetes
4. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Oxidative stress

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Dna damage

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

1. International journal of microbiology

Apoptosis

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Blood pressure

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Blood urea nitrogen

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Diabetes mellitus

1. Bioscience trends

Fibrinolysis

1. Pakistan journal of biological sciences : PJBS

Helminthiasis

1. PloS one

Preparations

Pueraria tuberosa has 5 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include PTY-2r, Pueraria tuberosa extract (PTY-2r), active fraction of tubers from Pueraria tuberosa (hereafter referred to as PTY-2), extract of Pueraria tuberosa tubers, methanolic extract of tubers of Pueraria tuberosa.

Pty-2r

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Pueraria tuberosa extract (pty-2r)

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Active fraction of tubers from pueraria tuberosa (hereafter referred to as pty-2)

1. Journal of diabetes

Extract of pueraria tuberosa tubers

1. Journal of diabetes

Methanolic extract of tubers of pueraria tuberosa

1. Ayu