Cat's Claw

Names

Common Names

• cat's-claw
• Cat's Claw

Regional and Traditional Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Ourouparia tomentosa
• Uncaria tomentosa var. dioica
• Nauclea polycephala
• Nauclea tomentosa
• Cinchona globifera
• Uncaria surinamensis
• Nauclea surinamensis
• Ourouparia polycephala

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Uncaria tomentosa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. It is classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae within the order Gentianales. Finally, it is a member of the Rubiaceae family and falls under the genus Uncaria.

Distribution

This plant is primarily found within the diverse tropical landscapes of Central America. Its natural habitat spans several countries, including Belize and Guatemala. It also flourishes throughout the lush rainforests of Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, the species can be located within the biological corridors of Costa Rica. Consequently, its distribution is concentrated across these specific Central American nations.

Plant Parts

Chemicals

Uncaria tomentosa has 59 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Pteropodine, Isopteropodine, BETA-SITOSTEROL, CA, CAMPESTEROL.

Pteropodine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Acta crystallographica. Section C, Crystal structure communications
3. Phytochemistry
4. European journal of pharmacology

Isopteropodine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Acta crystallographica. Section C, Crystal structure communications
3. European journal of pharmacology

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bollettino della Societa italiana di biologia sperimentale

CA

1. Food chemistry
2. Biological trace element research

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke
2. Bollettino della Societa italiana di biologia sperimentale

FE

1. Food chemistry
2. Biological trace element research

ISOMITRAPHYLLINE

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

MG

1. Food chemistry
2. Biological trace element research

MN

1. Food chemistry
2. Biological trace element research

Mitraphylline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Planta medica

Activities

Uncaria tomentosa has 249 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiinflammatory.

Most Reported Activities

Medicinal Uses

Uncaria tomentosa has 28 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, cancer, DNA damage, HIV, abscesses.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations