Stephania venosa

Stephania venosa, commonly known as a climbing vine within the Menispermaceae family, is a significant medicinal plant in traditional healing. Renowned for its bioactive alkaloids, it is frequently utilized in folk medicine to treat various ailments, particularly those involving inflammation, skin conditions, and neurological discomfort in diverse regions.

  • Scientific name: Stephania venosa
  • Family: Menispermaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Tropical

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Ranunculales and placed in the family Menispermaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Stephania, specifically as the species Stephania venosa.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Ranunculales WCVP
Family Menispermaceae WCVP
Genus Stephania WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Stephania venosa, is recognized by various regional common names that reflect its cultural and medicinal importance. In Thailand, it is referred to by the name สบู่เลือด, while in Chinese contexts, it is commonly called 脉纹山乌龟.
Language Common Name Source
th สบู่เลือด Wikidata
zh 脉纹山乌龟 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical presence across several distinct regions of Asia. Within the Indian Subcontinent, its distribution is specifically noted in Bangladesh. It also spreads into the Indo-China region, where it can be found inhabiting the Andaman Islands. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed throughout mainland Southeast Asia, including Cambodia and Laos. Finally, its range extends into Myanmar, completing its presence across these diverse territories.

Region Area Source
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indo-China Andaman Is. WCVP
Indo-China Cambodia WCVP
Indo-China Laos WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP
Indo-China Thailand WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP
Malesia Borneo WCVP
Malesia Jawa WCVP
Malesia Malaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Stephania venosa, is a climbing woody vine known for its specific morphological characteristics, particularly its underground storage organs. The most significant medicinal part of this species is the tuber, which is a swollen, fleshy structure used extensively in traditional pharmacological applications. These tubers are typically harvested for their bioactive compounds, serving as the primary source for various therapeutic extracts.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
tuber 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Stephania venosa has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include berberine, corydalmine, crebanine, cyclanoline, dehydrocrebanine.

Total chemicals
12
Scientific sources
13

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
berberine 2 ★☆☆☆☆
corydalmine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
crebanine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cyclanoline 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dehydrocrebanine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dehydrostephanine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
dicentrine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
jatrorrhizine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
palmatine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
stepharanine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Stephania venosa has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Aphrodisiac.

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Aphrodisiac 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Stephania venosa has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Alzheimer disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Alzheimer disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Alzheimer's disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆