Uncaria gambir
Uncaria gambir, commonly known as gambier, is a significant medicinal plant native to Southeast Asia. Extracted from the leaves of Uncaria tomentosa, it is renowned for its high tannin content. Traditionally used for its astringent and antimicrobial properties, it plays a vital role in both herbal medicine and industries.
- Scientific name: Uncaria gambir
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Gentianaales, it is classified under the family Rubiaceae. Ultimately, its scientific designation is placed within the genus Uncaria.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Rubiaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Uncaria | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide-ranging geographical distribution across several distinct tropical regions. In West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found specifically within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its presence extends to the Indian Subcontinent, where it is documented in Bangladesh. Within the Malesia region, the species is distributed across Borneo and Jawa. Finally, it is also native to the Malay Peninsula, known as Malaya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Malesia | Borneo | WCVP |
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Malesia | Malaya | WCVP |
| Malesia | Sumatera | WCVP |
Chemicals
Uncaria gambir has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 18 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include catechin, flavonoids, (+)-catechin, (+)-epicatechin, catechins.
- Total chemicals
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 18
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| catechin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| (+)-catechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| catechins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gambiriin C | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| procyanidin B1 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| procyanidin B3 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Uncaria gambir has 6 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antihyperlipidemic.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Astringent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Uncaria gambir has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 9 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Breast Cancer, astringent, blood glucose, blood pressure.
- Total uses
- 8
- Scientific sources
- 9
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Breast Cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| astringent | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood glucose | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sore throat | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |