Uncaria sinensis

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Nauclea sinensis
• Uncaria membranifolia

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Uncaria sineensis is characterized by its specific niche within montane forest ecosystems, where it thrives under particular altitudinal constraints. This species is primarily found within a defined elevational range, occupying mid-to-high altitude tropical or subtropical montane habitats. Specifically, its ecological distribution is bounded by a minimum elevation of 1350 m AMSL and reaches its upper limit at a maximum elevation of 1900 m AMSL. Within this vertical belt, the plant relies on the structural complexity of the surrounding forest canopy to facilitate its growth as a woody climber, utilizing the environmental conditions typical of these high-altitude zones to complete its life cycle.

Elevational range max:

1900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1350 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Uncaria sinensis is characterized by its development as a robust, woody climbing vine that primarily functions as a phanerophyte, as its perennating buds are elevated well above the ground level. Throughout its life cycle, this species exhibits a climbing growth habit to reach the forest canopy, where it utilizes specialized hooked spines to anchor itself to host trees. While its structural dominance is defined by its phanerophyte status, its ecological niche and growth strategy can occasionally be interpreted through various life-form classifications depending on the environmental stressors and the height of its woody stems; however, it fundamentally lacks the characteristics of a nanophanerophyte, chamaephyte, hemicryptophyte, geophyte, hydrophyte, helophyte, therophyte, or lithophyte in its mature, functional state. As a perennial woody climber, it undergoes seasonal growth cycles, establishing a permanent woody framework that allows it to persist in tropical and subtropical forest environments for many years.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Uncaria sinensis is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree-like structure that functions as an obligatory climber, utilizing specialized structures to ascend. It is a terrestrial plant, meaning it grows in the soil rather than as an epiphyte, and it maintains an independent lifestyle as a non-parasitic organism. Its development is defined by its woody nature, providing the structural integrity necessary for its climbing habit.

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Uncaria sinensis has 3 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem, flower, leaf.

Stem

1. Journal of chromatography. A
2. Mechanisms of ageing and development
3. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
4. The American journal of Chinese medicine
5. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Flower

1. Journal of chromatography. A

Leaf

1. Journal of chromatography. A

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.

CATECHIN

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. Vascular pharmacology
3. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Epicatechin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
2. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Geissoschizine methyl ether

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Isorhynchophylline

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

caffeic acid

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Corynantheine

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Corynoxeine

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Corynoxine

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Corynoxine B

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Epigallocatechin gallate

1. 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.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neuroprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Uncaria sinensis has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include vascular dementia, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hemolysis, migraine.

Vascular dementia

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
2. Mechanisms of ageing and development

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hemolysis

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Migraine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Neurodegenerative diseases

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Uncaria sinensis has 4 reported preparations identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Choto-san, Uncaria sinensis extract, Uncaria sinensis extract (USE), hooks and stems.

Choto-san

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Uncaria sinensis extract

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Uncaria sinensis extract (use)

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hooks and stems

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine