Tripterygium wilfordii
Tripterygium wilfordii, commonly known as Thunder God Vine, is a potent medicinal plant native to East Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine for its powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties, it is frequently studied for treating rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune conditions. However, its high toxicity requires precise pharmacological handling and careful application.
- Scientific name: Tripterygium wilfordii
- Family: Celastraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Celastrales, falling into the family Celastraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tripterygium.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Celastrales | WCVP |
| Family | Celastraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Tripterygium | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Tripterygium wilfordii, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In German, it is called Wilfords Dreiflügelfrucht, while in Czech, it is known as trojkřídlec Regelův. Its Japanese name is クロヅル, and in Chinese, it is widely recognized as 雷公藤. Additionally, in Persian, the plant is called تریپتریگیوم ویلفردی.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Wilfords Dreiflügelfrucht | Wikidata |
| cs | trojkřídlec Regelův | Wikidata |
| ja | クロヅル | Wikidata |
| zh | 雷公藤 | Wikidata |
| fa | تریپتریگیوم ویلفردی | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 雷公藤 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 雷公藤 | Wikidata |
| arz | تريبتريجيوم ويلفوردى | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 雷公藤 | Wikidata |
| ar | ثلاثية الجنيحات ويلفوردي | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed throughout various regions of China, including the South-Central and Southeast areas. Its presence extends into the high-altitude territories of Tibet as well. Beyond mainland China, the species can be found across Eastern Asia, specifically in Taiwan. Additionally, its range reaches into the Indo-China region, encompassing Myanmar. Together, these locations define the specific natural habitat of Tripterygium wilfordii.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| China | Tibet | WCVP |
| Eastern Asia | Taiwan | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Tripterygium wilfordii, is a woody climber that contains various parts used in traditional medicine. The therapeutic properties are most commonly derived from the root bark, which is harvested and processed for its bioactive compounds. In addition to the bark, the root and the extensive underground roots system serve as primary sources for medicinal extraction. Above the ground, the plant features climbing stem structures that support its growth, as well as broad leaves that characterize its foliage.- Total parts
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 39
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| root bark | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| root | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| stem | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| twig | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| total glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tender root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stems | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| semiwoody vines | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Tripterygium wilfordii has 84 reported phytochemicals identified across 166 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include celastrol, triptolide, Triptolide, Celastrol, triterpenoids.
- Total chemicals
- 84
- Scientific sources
- 166
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| celastrol | 28 | ★★★★★ |
| triptolide | 24 | ★★★★★ |
| Triptolide | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Celastrol | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tripchlorolide | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tripdiolide | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| triptophenolide | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Tripterifordin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dehydroabietic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Tripterygium wilfordii has 17 reported activities identified across 33 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antitumor, Insecticide, Antifertility.
- Total activities
- 17
- Scientific sources
- 33
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antitumor | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Insecticide | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antifertility | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiobesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproliferative | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiproteinuric | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Tripterygium wilfordii has 70 reported medicinal uses identified across 120 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, obesity.
- Total uses
- 70
- Scientific sources
- 120
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| rheumatoid arthritis | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| inflammation | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| autoimmune diseases | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| obesity | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| breast cancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lung cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| systemic lupus erythematosus | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Crohn's disease | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HIV | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |