cat's-claw
Uncaria guianensis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (275 studies) · ★★★★★
Cat's-claw, scientifically known as Uncaria guianensis, is a powerful woody vine native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned in traditional medicine, this botanical powerhouse contains unique alkaloids used to support immune function and reduce inflammation. It serves as a vital natural remedy for managing various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native range
- Southern America
- Parts used
- Leaf · Root
- Common names
- Cat'S-Claw · Cat'S Claw
- Scientific synonyms
- Nauclea Aculeata · Nauclea Guianensis · 4 more
Names
Common Names
- cat's-claw
- cat's claw
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Nauclea guianensis
- Ourouparia guianensis
- Uncaria aculeata
- Uncaria spinosa
- Uruparia versicolor
- uña de gato
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Uncaria guianensisSynonyms
- Nauclea aculeata
- Nauclea guianensis
- Uncaria aculeata
- Ourouparia guianensis
- Uncaria spinosa
- Uruparia guianensis
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. Specifically, Uncaria guianensis is identified by 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, Uncaria guianensis, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions in South America. It can be found growing throughout the northern parts of the continent, including Venezuela. Its range also extends through the Guianas, specifically in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Additionally, this species is located within the Caribbean region, specifically on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago. Together, these locations highlight its presence within the tropical landscapes of northern South America and its nearby islands.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Bolivia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Peru | WCVP |
| Brazil | Brazil West-Central | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Uncaria guianensis, is a woody vine whose therapeutic properties are derived from various anatomical structures. The most significant medicinal components are found within the bark and the roots, which are frequently utilized in traditional pharmacology for their bioactive alkaloids. Additionally, the foliage, including both the individual leaf and the collective leaves of the climbing vine, contributes to the plant's overall biological profile, although the primary concentration of medicinal compounds is typically sought in the woody tissues and underground parts.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Uncaria guianensis has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ISOMITRAPHYLLINE, Mitraphylline, ABE, ALE, ARE.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| ISOMITRAPHYLLINE | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mitraphylline | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ABE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ALE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ARE | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Angustine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Angustoline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| CHLOROGENIC ACID | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dihydrocorynantheine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epicatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
ISOMITRAPHYLLINE
- Dr. Duke
- PloS one
Mitraphylline
- Dr. Duke
- PloS one
ABE
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
ALE
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
ARE
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Angustine
- Dr. Duke
Angustoline
- Dr. Duke
CHLOROGENIC ACID
- Dr. Duke
Dihydrocorynantheine
- Dr. Duke
Epicatechin
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Uncaria guianensis has 210 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiviral, (-)-Chronotropic, 11B-HSD-Inhibitor, 5-HT-Inhibitor.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Dr. Duke (and other 3 sources) | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (-)-Chronotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11B-HSD-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-HT-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenergic-Blocker | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldehyde-Oxidase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Allelochemic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Uncaria guianensis has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, Dengue fever, arthritis, endometriosis, gastritis.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | Complementary therapies in clinical practice (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dengue fever | Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | Complementary therapies in clinical practice (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| endometriosis | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gastritis | Complementary therapies in clinical practice (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteoarthritis | Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osteoarthritis of the knee | Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.] (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| peptic ulcer | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Ug AIV | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous bark extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous leaf extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aqueous roots extract | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bark | Phytochemistry (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydro-alcoholic extracts from bark (UGB) | Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydro-alcoholic extracts from leaves (UGL) | Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hydroethanolic extract | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |