devil-pepper
Rauvolfia tetraphylla · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Moderate (103 studies) · ★★★☆☆
Devil-pepper, scientifically known as Rauvolfia tetraphyllla, is a significant medicinal shrub native to tropical regions. Renowned for its potent alkaloids, particularly reserpine, this plant has been traditionally utilized to manage hypertension and mental disturbances. Its pharmacological properties make it a vital subject in modern ethnobotanical and therapeutic research.
Names
Common Names
- devil-pepper
- four-leaf devil-pepper
- milkbush
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Rauwolfia tetraphylla
- Rauvolfia latifolia var. minor
- Curarina
- Rauvolfia canescens var. tomentosa
- Viborilla
- Rauvolfia canescens
- Rauvolfia hirsuta
- Rauvolfia tomentosa
- Rauvolfia odontophora
- Rauvolfia heterophylla var. puberula
- Amatillo
- Rauvolfia heterophylla
- Rauvolfia subpubescens
- Cabamuc
- Rauvolfia hirsuta var. glabra
- Matacoyote
- Chalchupa
- Piñique-piñique
- Veneno de gusano
- Chilillo
German:
- vierblättriger Teufelspfeffer
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Rauvolfia tetraphyllaSynonyms
- Rauvolfia canescens var. glabra
- Rauvolfia canescens var. intermedia
- Rauvolfia heterophylla
- Rauvolfia canescens var. tomentosa
- Rauvolfia hirsuta
- Rauvolfia odontophora
- Rauvolfia heterophylla var. puberula
- Rauvolfia hirsuta var. glabra
- Rauvolfia latifolia var. minor
- Rauvolfia subpubescens
- Rauvolfia tomentosa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Gentianales and the family Apocynaceae. Finally, it is identified by its specific 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 |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions in Asia. In China, it can be found throughout the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its range extends further east to include the island of Taiwan within Eastern Asia. Additionally, the species is present in the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the Assam region. Collectively, these locations highlight the plant's preference for diverse subtropical environments.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Nepal | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Chemicals
Rauvolfia tetraphylla has 24 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ajmaline, Reserpiline, Sarpagine, Serpentine, reserpine.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ajmaline | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Reserpiline | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Sarpagine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Serpentine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| reserpine | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ALSTONINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ajmalicine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aricine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DESERPIDINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ISORAUNESCINE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
ajmaline
- Dr. Duke
- Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)
- Phytochemistry
Reserpiline
- Dr. Duke
- Phytochemistry
Sarpagine
- Dr. Duke
- Phytochemistry
Serpentine
- Dr. Duke
- Phytochemistry
reserpine
- Dr. Duke
- Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)
ALSTONINE
- Dr. Duke
Ajmalicine
- Dr. Duke
Aricine
- Dr. Duke
DESERPIDINE
- Dr. Duke
ISORAUNESCINE
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Rauvolfia tetraphylla has 67 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include (-)-Chronotropic, Abortifacient, Adrenergic-Blocker, Adrenolytic, Allergenic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| (-)-Chronotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenergic-Blocker | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenolytic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allergenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Amebicide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anesthetic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AntiRaynaud's | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiadrenergic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaggregant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Rauvolfia tetraphylla has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include SARS-CoV-2, hypertension.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| SARS-CoV-2 | Cell biochemistry and biophysics (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| methanolic extract | Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| synseeds | Applied biochemistry and biotechnology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |