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Tripterygium

Tripterygium, commonly known as Thunder God Vine, is a climbing woody plant prized in traditional Chinese medicine. Renowned for its potent bioactive compounds, it is primarily used to treat inflammatory conditions and autoimmune disorders. While scientifically significant for its analgesic properties, it requires careful handling due to its toxicity.

  • Scientific name: Tripterygium
  • Family: Celastraceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

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 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, belonging to the genus Tripterygium, is known by various names depending on the linguistic and regional context. In Chinese, it is referred to as 雷公藤属 (Léigōngténg shǔ), while in Bulgarian, it is called триптеригиум. In Croatian, the name is rendered as Tripterigijum, and in Finnish, it is known as siipiköynnökset. Furthermore, in Czech, the plant is commonly called trojkřídlec.
Language Common Name Source
zh 雷公藤属 Wikidata
bg триптеригиум Wikidata
hr Tripterigijum Wikidata
fi siipiköynnökset Wikidata
cs trojkřídlec Wikidata
ja クロヅル属 Wikidata
zh-hans 雷公藤属 Wikidata
zh-cn 雷公藤属 Wikidata
ar ثلاثية الجنيحات Wikidata
ja 黒蔓属 Wikidata

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 Source
China China South-Central WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China Southeast WCVP
China Tibet WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP
Eastern Asia Taiwan WCVP
Indo-China Myanmar WCVP
Indo-China Vietnam WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Tripterygium wilfordii, contains various anatomical structures that are utilized for its medicinal properties. The therapeutic components are primarily concentrated in the underground portions, specifically within the root and the root bark. As the plant grows, the vascular tissues, consisting of the xylem and the phloem, facilitate the transport of nutrients and water throughout the system. In the mature specimen, the structural integrity of the plant is supported by the woody part of the root, which serves as a vital reservoir for the active compounds used in traditional pharmacology.
Total parts
6
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
xylem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
woody part of the root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root bark 1 ★☆☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆
phloem 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaves 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

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

Total activities
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Neuroprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Tripterygium has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include rheumatoid arthritis.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
rheumatoid arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆