Gambier
Uncaria gambir · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (36 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Gambier, scientifically known as Uncaria gambir, is a tropical shrub native to Southeast Asia. Traditionally prized for its tannins, it is widely used in herbal medicine for its astringent and antioxidant properties. Often utilized in wound healing and digestive health, this versatile plant remains a cornerstone of traditional pharmacology.
Names
Common Names
- Gambier
- gambier
- gambir
- pale catechu
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Ourouparia gambir
- Nauclea gambir
- Uncaria gambir var. latifolia
- Uruparia gambir
German:
- Gambir
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Uncaria gambirSynonyms
- Ourouparia gambir
- Uncaria yunnanensis
- Nauclea gambir
- Cinchona kattukambar
- Uncaria gambir var. angulata
- Uruparia gambir
- Uncaria gambir var. latifolia
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 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Flavonoids, (+)-Epicatechin, (+)-catechin, Epicatechin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| CATECHIN | 5 supporting sources | ★★★☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Epicatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-catechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epicatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gambiriin C | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Procyanidin B1 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Procyanidin B3 | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tannins | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
CATECHIN
- Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
- Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
- Yakushigaku zasshi
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- International journal of nanomedicine
Flavonoids
- Yakushigaku zasshi
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
(+)-Epicatechin
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
(+)-catechin
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Epicatechin
- Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
Gambiriin C
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Procyanidin B1
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Procyanidin B3
- Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
Tannin
- Yakushigaku zasshi
Tannins
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Activities
Uncaria gambir has 6 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antihyperlipidemic.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperlipidemic | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Astringent | Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Uncaria gambir has 8 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Breast Cancer, astringent, blood glucose, blood pressure.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Breast Cancer | International journal of nanomedicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| astringent | Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood glucose | Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| blood pressure | Journal of complementary & integrative medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| diarrhea | Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dysentery | Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| sore throat | Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| U. gambir extract | International journal of nanomedicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous extract | Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bethel chewing | Yakushigaku zasshi (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |