Uncaria sinensis
Uncaria sinensis · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Sparse (65 studies) · ★★☆☆☆
scientifically known as Uncaria sinensis, is a woody climbing vine native to tropical regions. Commonly referred to as Cat's Claw, this medicinal plant is highly valued in traditional herbalism for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, often used to support immune health and promote overall systemic wellness.
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Stem · Flower
- Common names
- Not available
- Scientific synonyms
- Nauclea Sinensis · Uncaria Membranifolia
Names
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Uncaria sinensisSynonyms
- Nauclea sinensis
- Uncaria membranifolia
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Gentianaales and placed in the family Rubiaceae. Its scientific classification concludes with 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 widespread geographical distribution across several key regions in Asia. Within the vast territory of China, it can be found growing in the South-Central areas. Its presence also extends into the North-Central parts of the country. Additionally, the species is well-established throughout the Southeast regions of China. Finally, its natural habitat reaches into the Indo-China peninsula, specifically within Vietnam.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| China | China South-Central | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Vietnam | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, commonly known as Cat's Claw, is a woody vine characterized by its distinctive climbing mechanism. The climbing stem is supported by specialized, curved hooks that emerge from the nodes, allowing the plant to anchor itself firmly to surrounding vegetation. Its foliage consists of a pinnate leaf structure, which provides the surface area necessary for photosynthesis. During its reproductive phase, the vine produces small, yellowish-white flower clusters that emerge from the axils. While the entire plant grows vigorously, the medicinal properties are primarily derived from the bark and the woody stems of the vine.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| stem | Journal of chromatography. A (and other 5 sources) | ★★★☆☆ |
| flower | Journal of chromatography. A (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | Journal of chromatography. A (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Uncaria sinensis has 21 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Epicatechin, Geissoschizine methyl ether, Isorhynchophylline, caffeic acid.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| CATECHIN | 3 supporting sources | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Epicatechin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Geissoschizine methyl ether | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Isorhynchophylline | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| caffeic acid | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corynantheine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corynoxeine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corynoxine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Corynoxine B | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Epigallocatechin gallate | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
CATECHIN
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Vascular pharmacology
- The American journal of Chinese medicine
Epicatechin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- The American journal of Chinese medicine
Geissoschizine methyl ether
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Isorhynchophylline
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
caffeic acid
- The American journal of Chinese medicine
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Corynantheine
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Corynoxeine
- The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
Corynoxine
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Corynoxine B
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
Epigallocatechin gallate
- Vascular pharmacology
Activities
Uncaria sinensis has 2 reported activities identified across 7 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 sinensis has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include vascular dementia, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hemolysis, migraine.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| vascular dementia | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hemolysis | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| migraine | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurodegenerative diseases | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Choto-san | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Uncaria sinensis extract | Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Uncaria sinensis extract (USE) | Journal of ethnopharmacology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hooks and stems | The American journal of Chinese medicine (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |