Uncaria macrophylla
Uncaria macrophylla · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (28 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Uncaria macrophylla, scientifically known as Uncaria macrophylla, is a potent medicinal vine native to the Amazon rainforest. Often referred to as Cat's Claw, this botanical powerhouse is celebrated for its remarkable anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, traditionally used to support joint health and combat various systemic infections naturally.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Stem
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Nauclea Silhetana · Uncaria Sessilifolia · 1 more
Names
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Uncaria macrophyllaSynonyms
- Nauclea silhetana
- Uncaria sessilifolia
- Uruparia macrophylla
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Uncaria macrophylla, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Gentianaales. It is a member of the Rubiaceae family and falls under 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 geographical range across several specific regions in Asia. Within China, its distribution includes the South-Central areas as well as the southeastern provinces. It can also be found growing on the island of Hainan. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, the species is documented in the state of Assam. Additionally, its presence extends into the neighboring country of Bangladesh.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | Hainan | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | East Himalaya | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Laos | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Thailand | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Uncaria macrophylla, is a climbing woody vine where the medicinal properties are primarily concentrated in the stem bark. This specific part of the plant is harvested to extract alkaloids, which are utilized in traditional and modern medicine for their purported anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. The bark serves as the essential source for therapeutic compounds, making its careful collection vital for the production of herbal remedies derived from this species.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| stem | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Uncaria macrophylla has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isorhynchophylline, Ursolic acid, BETA-SITOSTEROL, Corynoxine, Corynoxine B.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Isorhynchophylline | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ursolic acid | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corynoxine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corynoxine B | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Daucosterin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epicatechin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Geissoschizine methyl ether | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Indole alkaloid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Isorhynchophylline
- PloS one
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Ursolic acid
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Corynoxine
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Corynoxine B
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Daucosterin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Epicatechin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Flavonoids
- Journal of ethnopharmacology
Geissoschizine methyl ether
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Indole alkaloid
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Activities
Uncaria macrophylla has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Uncaria macrophylla has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, migraine, neurodegenerative diseases, tumor.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| migraine | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| 90% alcohol-water extract of the stem bark | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem bark | Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |