Tripterygium

Tripterygium · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (10 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

, scientifically known as Tripteryxium, is a genus of climbing woody vines valued in traditional medicine. Often referred to as "Thunder God Vine," its roots contain potent bioactive compounds used to treat inflammatory conditions and autoimmune diseases. While therapeutically promising, its high toxicity requires careful handling and precise medicinal application.

Family
Celastraceae
Native range
Asia-Temperate
Parts used
Leaf · Root
Common names
Not available
Scientific synonyms
Not available

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Tripterygium

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Celastrales, specifically within the family Celastraceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tripterygium.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Celastrales
Family Celastraceae
Genus Tripterygium

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range throughout much of East Asia. Within China, its presence is noted in the South-Central regions and across the mountainous terrain of Tibet. It is also widely distributed in the Manchuria and China Southeast areas. Furthermore, the species extends its reach beyond the mainland into Japan. These varied locations highlight the significant ecological footprint of the Tripterygium genus.

Region Area
China China South-Central
China Manchuria
China China Southeast
China Tibet
Eastern Asia Japan
Eastern Asia Korea
Eastern Asia Taiwan
Indo-China Myanmar
Indo-China Vietnam

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Tripterygium has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, root.

Plant parts reported in Tripterygium
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Leaf 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Root 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Leaf

  1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Root

  1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Activities

Tripterygium has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Neuroprotective.

Activities reported in Tripterygium
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Neuroprotective 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Neuroprotective

  1. PloS one

Conditions

Tripterygium has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include rheumatoid arthritis.

Conditions investigated for Tripterygium
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Rheumatoid arthritis 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Rheumatoid arthritis

  1. Obstetrical & gynecological survey

Preparations

Tripterygium has 4 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Tripterygium extracts, Tripterygium total terpenoids tablets, extracts, isolates.

Preparations reported for Tripterygium
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Tripterygium extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Tripterygium total terpenoids tablets 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Isolates 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Tripterygium extracts

  1. Phytochemistry

Tripterygium total terpenoids tablets

  1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Extracts

  1. Obstetrical & gynecological survey

Isolates

  1. Obstetrical & gynecological survey