Stephania tetrandra
What's the taxonomical classification of Stephania tetrandra?
Stephania tetrandra belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. As a member of the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Ranunculales. This species is further categorized into the family Menispermaceae, belonging to the genus Stephania, with its specific designation being Stephania tetrandra.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Menispermaceae |
| Genus | Stephania |
| Species | tetrandra |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Stephania tetrandra has a tuberous rhizome, opposite pinnate leaves, and small, inconspicuous flowers arranged in umbels. The woody, underground tuber serves as the primary storage organ for the plant. Its foliage consists of leaflets that are typically arranged in pairs along a central rachis. The inflorescence produces delicate blooms that emerge from the leaf axils. These botanical features characterize its growth habit as a climbing or trailing woody vine.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, specifically occurring in countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its distribution is primarily concentrated within the humid forest ecosystems and moist woodland habitats of the continent. The species thrives in areas characterized by significant rainfall and warm temperatures throughout the year. It is often found in diverse ecological zones where moisture levels remain consistently high. These specific environmental conditions define the limited geographical range where the plant can successfully establish itself.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-draining, sandy soil and consistent warmth between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit to thrive during its growth cycle.
It should be planted in a location that receives at least six hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Frequent watering is necessary to maintain moisture without causing root rot from waterlogged earth. Providing organic compost during the initial planting phase helps supply the essential nutrients needed for vigorous development.
Once established, the plant benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushy growth and prevent excessive legginess.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Stephanotis tetrandra is utilized medicinally through its radix, aerial parts, leaf, stem, and xylem. The radix, or root, is frequently processed to extract bioactive compounds for various therapeutic applications. Within the aerial parts, the leaf and stem serve as primary sources for traditional remedies. Specifically, the leaf is often prepared in infusions to treat systemic ailments. Additionally, the stem and the internal xylem provide essential chemical constituents used in specialized herbal formulations.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix is used in clinical practice. This specific part of the plant is combined with Aconiti Radix to achieve the purpose of reducing toxicity and increasing efficacy. The study focuses on the relationship between chemical constituents and pharmacological effects. The combination involving Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix is utilized to address issues related to toxicity in traditional medicine.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Radix
- aerial parts
- leaf
- stem
- xylam
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Stephanostegia tetrandra is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a key component in herbal formulas to clear heat and resolve toxicity. Historically, practitioners have prescribed the dried stems and leaves to treat various ailments including fever, inflammation, and skin infections. The plant is often integrated into complex medicinal decoctions designed to detoxify the body and reduce swelling. These traditional applications rely on its perceived ability to balance internal heat within the patient. Such historical uses demonstrate its longstanding significance in regional botanical practices.
According to a study published by "Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)", Stephania tetrandra S. Moore is a member of the Menispermaceae family. The dibenzyltetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid tetrandrine is isolated from the root of this traditional Chinese medicinal plant. Researchers designed and synthesized 12 tetrandrine-l-amino acid derivatives and 12 tetrandrine-14-l-amino acid-urea derivatives using C14-aminotetrandrine as raw material. These derivatives were evaluated against 3 human cancer cell lines, including MDA-MB-231 and the human leukemia cell lines HEL and K562. Notably, compound 3f showed potent activity against the HEL cell line with an IC50 value of 0.23 µM.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Stephania tetrandra?
This plant has anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive, and antimicrobial pharmacological activities. Its secondary metabolites contribute to inhibiting the growth and spread of malignant cells within the body. The plant also demonstrates the ability to reduce swelling and mitigate pain through its potent anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties. Additionally, its antimicrobial effects allow it to combat various bacterial and fungal pathogens effectively. These diverse biological actions make it a subject of significant interest in medicinal pharmacology.
According to a study published by "European journal of medicinal chemistry", the medicinal plant Stephania tetrandra provides the lead anti-tumor compound tetrandrine, which possesses a bis-benzyltetrahydroisoquinoline skeleton. Researchers designed and synthesized novel tetrandrine derivatives to evaluate their activities against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HMCC97L and PLC/PRF/5. One specific derivative, compound 31, demonstrated prominent cytotoxicity with an IC50 value of 1.06 μM. This potency was 15.8 folds greater than that of tetrandrine and 30.3 folds greater than that of Sorafenib. Compound 31 is a new 14-position substituted amide tetrandrine derivative that functions by inducing apoptosis in HCC cells.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-tumor
- anti-cancer
- anti-metastatic
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-nociceptive
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several bioactive bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids, specifically tetrandrine, magnocurarine, (S)-coclaurine, and fangchinoline. These chemical constituents are primary components of the plant's complex secondary metabolism. Researchers study these specific molecules due to their potential pharmacological activities in various biological systems. The presence of these alkaloids characterizes the unique chemical profile of the species. Understanding these compounds is essential for exploring the medicinal properties of the plant.
According to a study published by "Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology", the bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids tetrandrine and fangchinoline from Stephania tetrandra can reverse multidrug resistance by inhibiting P-glycoprotein activity. These compounds showed a significant synergistic cytotoxic effect in MDR Caco-2 and CEM/ADR5000 cancer cells when used in combination with doxorubicin. Both tetrandrine and fangchinoline increased the intracellular accumulation of the fluorescent P-glycoprotein substrate rhodamine 123 and inhibited its efflux in Caco-2 and CEM/ADR5000 cells. Additionally, these alkaloids from Stephania tetrandra significantly reduced P-gp expression in a concentration-dependent manner. These findings suggest these compounds could serve as a lead for developing new drugs to overcome P-gp mediated resistance in clinical cancer therapy.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids
- magnocurarine
- fangchinoline
- (S)-coclaurine
- tetrandrine
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating arrhythmia, edema, inflammation, urinary disorders, and rheumatism. Its medicinal properties help regulate irregular heartbeats and reduce swelling caused by fluid retention. The plant also works to soothe systemic inflammation and alleviate the pain associated with rheumatism. Additionally, it serves as a natural remedy to support the management of various urinary disorders. These diverse therapeutic applications make it a significant species in traditional herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Acta pharmacologica Sinica", tetrandrine is isolated from Stephania tetrandra S Moore. This compound possesses antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic effects. The antihypertensive effects of tetrandrine have been demonstrated in both experimental hypertensive animals and in hypertensive patients. Beyond its calcium antagonistic effect, tetrandrine also interacted with M receptors. Modulation by M receptor serves as one of the pharmacological mechanisms of cardiovascular effects for tetrandrine.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- arthritis
- rheumatism
- rheumatoid arthritis
- arthralgia
- inflammatory disorders
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal herbal preparations such as FJHQT extract, Fengtongan capsule, and Formula 1. These specific products are derived from the therapeutic components of Stephania tetrandra to treat various ailments. Practitioners often utilize the plant in the form of decoctions to extract active alkaloids for patient use. Each type of herbal medicine serves a distinct purpose in traditional and modern pharmacological applications. These diverse preparations ensure the plant's bioactive compounds are effectively delivered to the body.
According to a study published by "BMC complementary and alternative medicine", Radix Stephania Tetrandra was correctly used in the FJHQT extract which contained 2.5 mg/g of tetrandrine. The pharmacological activities of the FJHQT extract were investigated using the acetic acid-induced writhing response, formalin-induced licking response, and carrageenan-induced paw edema models. This extract produced pronounced and dose-dependent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in these 3 models. After 28-day repeated oral administration in rats, the FJHQT extract did not cause any hematological, biochemical, or histological changes. Consequently, the study suggests that FJHQT extract is a high safety index Chinese medicine for antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory applications when Radix Stephania Tetrandra is correctly used.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- FJHQT extract
- Fengtongan capsule
- Formula 1
- decoctions
- herbal medicine
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause severe physiological damage including hepatotoxicity, nephropathy, nephrotoxicity, fibrosing interstitial nephritis, and renal failure. Consumption of the plant's components can lead to direct liver damage characterized by hepatotoxicity. The kidneys are also highly vulnerable, often suffering from nephropathy and nephrotoxicity. These complications can progress into more serious conditions such as fibrosing interstitial nephritis. Ultimately, the cumulative damage to these organs can result in total renal failure.
According to a study published by "Lancet (London, England)", the introduction of Stephania tetrandra into a slimming regimen in May 1990 was associated with cases of rapidly progressive interstitial renal fibrosis. In a survey of 25 randomly selected women who followed the regimen for at least 3 months from 1990, 3 women were found to have impaired renal function. This occurred alongside 7 other women under the age of 50 who were admitted for dialysis in 1991 and 1992 due to terminal or preterminal renal failure. In 8 of the 9 total cases studied, renal biopsy samples showed extensive interstitial fibrosis without glomerular lesions. The nephropathy in 7 of these women involved a rapid deterioration where initial serum creatinine doubled within about 3 months.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- fibrosing interstitial nephritis
- hepatotoxicity
- nephropathy
- nephrotoxicity
- renal failure
What herbs are paired with Stephania tetrandra?
This plant, Stephania tetrandra, pairs most effectively with bitter herbs like ginseng, dandelion root, and licorice to balance its medicinal properties.
These combinations are frequently used in traditional herbal formulas to enhance its ability to clear heat and resolve dampness. When blended with cooling botanicals, the root helps soothe inflammation throughout the body. Practitioners often include these complementary herbs to smooth the flow of energy and prevent digestive discomfort.
This strategic pairing ensures that the active compounds work in synergy to provide a more comprehensive therapeutic effect.