Tetrastigma

Tetrastigma, commonly known as a genus of woody climbers, holds significant importance in traditional medicine across Southeast Asia. Renowned for its diverse pharmacological properties, various species are utilized to treat ailments ranging from inflammation to metabolic disorders, offering promising potential for modern drug discovery and natural therapeutic applications.

  • Scientific name: Tetrastigma
  • Family: Vitaceae
  • 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. Within the order Vitales, it is classified under the family Vitaceae. Finally, the medicinal plant is identified by the genus Tetrastigma.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Vitales WCVP
Family Vitaceae WCVP
Genus Tetrastigma WCVP

Common Names

This plant, belonging to the genus Tetrastigma, is known by various names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is referred to as 崖爬藤属 (zh-hans), 崖爬藤屬 (zh-hant), and 崖爬藤屬 (zh-hk). In Russian, the genus is called Тетрастигма (ru), while in Swedish, it is known as Kastanjevinsläktet (sv).
Language Common Name Source
zh-hans 崖爬藤属 Wikidata
zh-hant 崖爬藤屬 Wikidata
zh-hk 崖爬藤屬 Wikidata
ru Тетрастигма Wikidata
sv Kastanjevinsläktet Wikidata
zh 崖爬藤属 Wikidata
th สกุลเครือเขาน้ำ Wikidata
ja ミツバカズラ属 Wikidata
bg тетрастигма Wikidata
kk Тетрастигма Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several distinct regions of China. It can be found growing within the areas of China South-Central and China North-Central. Additionally, the species is present in the tropical landscape of Hainan. Its range also extends into the humid environments of China Southeast. Finally, the plant is recorded as growing within the high-altitude terrain of Tibet.

Region Area Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Hainan WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Nansei-shoto WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Bangladesh WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known scientifically as Tetrastigma, possesses various components that are utilized for their medicinal properties. The leaves are often studied for their specific bioactive compounds, while the roots serve as a primary source of therapeutic extracts. Specifically, the term Radix Tetrastigma refers to the medicinal root of this species, which is often prepared in traditional formulations. In a broader botanical context, the use of Radix—the Latin term for root—is essential when harvesting this plant to ensure the concentration of active principles required for healing.
Total parts
3
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Radix Tetrastigma 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Radix 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Tetrastigma has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, astragalin, flavonoid, isoquercitrin, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside.

Total chemicals
8
Scientific sources
9

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
astragalin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
isoquercitrin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rutin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
steroids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
terpenoids 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Tetrastigma has 4 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antitumor, Antiviral, Hepatoprotective.

Total activities
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiviral 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Tetrastigma has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include analgesic, antiviral, triple-negative breast cancer.

Total uses
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antiviral 1 ★☆☆☆☆
triple-negative breast cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆