Rauvolfia serpentina
Rauvolfia serpentina, commonly known as Indian Snakeroot, is a perennial medicinal shrub native to the Indian subcontinent. Renowned in Ayurvedic medicine, it contains unique alkaloids like reserpine. Historically used to treat snake bites, it is most celebrated today for its potent sedative and antihypertensive properties in managing high blood pressure.
- Scientific name: Rauvolfia serpentina
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is classified within the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Rauvolfia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Rauvolfia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Rauvolfia serpentina, is recognized by various common names across different languages and cultures. In Hindi, it is referred to as सर्पगन्धा, while in Chinese, it is known as 蛇根木 in both Simplified (zh-hans) and Traditional (zh-hant) scripts, as well as in the Hong Kong dialect (zh-hk). Additionally, in Russian, it is called Раувольфия змеиная.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | सर्पगन्धा | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 蛇根木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 蛇根木 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 蛇根木 | Wikidata |
| ru | Раувольфия змеиная | Wikidata |
| es | Rauwolfia serpentina | Wikidata |
| kn | ಸರ್ಪಗಂಧ | Wikidata |
| ca | Rauvòlfia | Wikidata |
| it | Rauwolfia serpentina | Wikidata |
| si | ඒකාවේරිය | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found specifically throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is notably located in Assam. Additionally, the species is documented to grow within the borders of Bangladesh. Together, these locations highlight the plant's significant footprint across diverse subtropical landscapes.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Laccadive Is. | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Rauvolfia serpentina, is a medicinal species where various anatomical components hold significant pharmacological value. The most potent part is the root, specifically the elongated, twisted roots that are harvested for their alkaloid content. In some botanical descriptions, the texture of the hairy root system is noted, distinguishing its physical structure. Beyond the underground portions, the leaves are used in various traditional applications, while the small seeds serve as a key component in the plant's reproductive cycle.- Total parts
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 8
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| root | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seeds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hairy root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Rauvolfia serpentina has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 40 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ajmaline, reserpine, ajmalicine, strictosidine, serpentine.
- Total chemicals
- 19
- Scientific sources
- 40
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ajmaline | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| reserpine | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| ajmalicine | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| strictosidine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| serpentine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tryptamine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| vinorine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 10-hydroxy-19(S),20(R)-dihydroperaksine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 16-epi-vellosimine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 19(S),20(R)-dihydroperaksine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Rauvolfia serpentina has 4 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiarrhythmic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antipsychotic.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiarrhythmic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antipsychotic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rauvolfia serpentina has 14 reported medicinal uses identified across 17 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hypertension, schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, COVID-19, Klebsiella pneumoniae.
- Total uses
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 17
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| hypertension | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| schizophrenia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| SARS-CoV-2 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abdominal pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| anxiety | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cognitive disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |