Uncaria tomentosa
Uncaria tomentoosa, commonly known as Cat's Claw, is a powerful medicinal vine native to the Amazon rainforest. Renowned for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, this woody climber has been used traditionally to boost immunity, alleviate joint pain, and support overall wellness through its unique bioactive alkaloids and compounds.
- Scientific name: Uncaria tomentosa
- Family: Rubiaceae
- Native range: Southern America
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.
| 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 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.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Guatemala | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
| Northern South America | French Guiana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Guyana | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Suriname | WCVP |
Chemicals
Uncaria tomentosa has 38 reported phytochemicals identified across 45 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn.
- Total chemicals
- 38
- Scientific sources
- 45
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Ca | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Fe | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mg | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mn | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Zn | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| isopteropodine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pteropodine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alpha-hederin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ba | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cu | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Uncaria tomentosa has 10 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antiinflammatory.
- Total activities
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 15
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiinflammatory | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Genotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Mutagenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| TNF-alpha-Inhibitor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Uncaria tomentosa has 28 reported medicinal uses identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include arthritis, cancer, DNA damage, HIV, abscesses.
- Total uses
- 28
- Scientific sources
- 30
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| arthritis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| DNA damage | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| HIV | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abscesses | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| allergies | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bladder cancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatigue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fevers | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |