Uncaria macrophylla
Uncaria macrophylla, commonly known as Cat's Claw, is a powerful medicinal vine native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned for its potent anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties, this woody climber has been used traditionally by indigenous communities for centuries to treat various ailments, ranging from arthritis to digestive issues and infections.
- Scientific name: Uncaria macrophylla
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
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 |
Chemicals
Uncaria macrophylla has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include isorhynchophylline, ursolic acid, Rhynchophylline, beta-sitosterol, corynoxine.
- Total chemicals
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| isorhynchophylline | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ursolic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Rhynchophylline | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| corynoxine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| corynoxine B | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| daucosterin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| epicatechin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| geissoschizine methyl ether | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Uncaria macrophylla has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Neuroprotective.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Uncaria macrophylla has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, cardiovascular diseases, migraine, neurodegenerative diseases, tumor.
- Total uses
- 5
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| migraine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tumor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |