Gambier

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Gambier
• gambier
• gambir
• pale catechu

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ourouparia gambir
• Uncaria yunnanensis
• Nauclea gambir
• Cinchona kattukambar
• Uncaria gambir var. angulata
• Uruparia gambir
• Uncaria gambir var. latifolia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Uncaria gambir is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting traits associated with both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms. As a woody climber, its life cycle is centered around the development of extensive climbing structures that allow it to navigate the vertical architecture of its tropical forest habitat. The plant begins its life through seed germination, eventually establishing a robust perennial growth pattern where its regenerative buds are located well above the ground, protected by its climbing habit. This phanerophytic strategy enables the plant to reach higher light intensities in the canopy, facilitating continuous vegetative growth and periodic reproductive cycles. Throughout its life, it maintains a persistent woody structure that supports the seasonal production of flowers and the subsequent development of fruits, ensuring its long-term survival and dominance within its ecological niche.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Uncaria gambir is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub that functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend. As a terrestrial plant, it grows in the soil rather than as an epiphyte, maintaining an independent life cycle without acting as a parasite on other organisms. Its structural development is defined by its woody nature, providing the necessary rigidity and support for its climbing habit.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Uncaria gambir is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes geared toward the synthesis of secondary metabolites, most notably polyphenolic compounds such as catechins and tannins, which serve as chemical defense mechanisms. As a woody climber, its physiological structure is adapted to optimize light interception through climbing growth habits, allowing it to reach higher strata of the forest canopy for efficient photosynthesis. Its nutrient acquisition processes are primarily reliant on the uptake of mineral ions from the soil through its root system, and unlike certain legumes, it does not engage in symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria for atmospheric nitrogen conversion; therefore, it is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: no). The plant's metabolic regulation involves complex enzymatic pathways that manage the production of bioactive alkaloids and phenolic compounds in response to environmental stressors, contributing to its unique chemical profile and physiological resilience.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

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.

CATECHIN

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine
2. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan
3. Yakushigaku zasshi
4. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5. International journal of nanomedicine

Flavonoids

1. Yakushigaku zasshi
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

(+)-Epicatechin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

(+)-catechin

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Epicatechin

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Gambiriin C

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Procyanidin B1

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Procyanidin B3

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Tannin

1. Yakushigaku zasshi

Tannins

1. 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.

Antioxidant

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antibacterial

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antifungal

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antihyperlipidemic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Astringent

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Conditions

Uncaria gambir has 8 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Breast Cancer, astringent, blood glucose, blood pressure.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Breast cancer

1. International journal of nanomedicine

Astringent

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Blood glucose

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Blood pressure

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Diarrhea

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Dysentery

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Sore throat

1. Yakugaku zasshi : Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan

Preparations

Uncaria gambir has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include U. gambir extract, aqueous extract, bethel chewing.

U. gambir extract

1. International journal of nanomedicine

Aqueous extract

1. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin

Bethel chewing

1. Yakushigaku zasshi