Cat's Claw

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cat's-claw
• Cat's Claw

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

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

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Uncaria tomentosa is characterized by its preference for specific forest environments, typically found within riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria) and evergreen seasonal forests (Floresta Estacional Perenifólia). This species thrives across a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Throughout its natural distribution, it maintains a mean elevation of approximately 400 m AMSL, where the structural complexity of these forest habitats provides the necessary conditions for its growth and development.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Perenifólia

Life history

The life history of Uncaria tomentosa is characterized by its classification as a phanerophyte, a growth form that allows it to thrive in tropical forest environments by maintaining its buds well above the ground level. Specifically, it functions as both a nanophanerophyte and a larger phanerophyte, utilizing its woody, climbing structure to navigate the vertical strata of its habitat. Throughout its life cycle, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that its foliage remains functional and photosynthetic year-round without the need for seasonal leaf shedding. This persistent green canopy, supported by its phanerophyte life form, enables the species to maintain steady physiological processes within the competitive ecosystem of the rainforest.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Uncaria tomentosa is characterized by its growth habit as a woody liana, functioning as an obligatory climber that relies on external structures for support. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, maintaining an independent lifestyle without parasitism. This robust climbing plant can reach an impressive average height of 27.5 m, utilizing its woody structure to ascend through its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

27.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Uncaria tomentosa is characterized by its specialized metabolic processes as a woody, perennial climbing vine, primarily driven by its complex secondary metabolism. The plant utilizes photosynthesis to synthesize various bioactive alkaloids, most notably oxindole alkaloids, which are strategically produced and stored within its tissues to serve defensive roles. Its nutrient acquisition strategy relies on an extensive root system designed for moisture and mineral uptake from the tropical soil, though it functions as a non-nitrogen fixer; it does not possess the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required for atmospheric nitrogen fixation, meaning its nitrogen requirements are met entirely through soil absorption. The plant's vascular physiology is adapted for liana growth, facilitating the efficient long-distance transport of water, minerals, and synthesized solutes through specialized xylem and phloem vessels to support its climbing habit and large leaf surface area.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Uncaria tomentosa has 1 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Phytochemical analysis : PCA
2. Environmental toxicology and pharmacology
3. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

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.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Complementary therapies in clinical practice
3. Journal of medicinal food
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Free radical biology & medicine

Cytotoxic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of clinical medicine

Anticancer

1. Dr. Duke
2. Frontiers in pharmacology

Antiinflammatory

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

Antimutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Mutagenic

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

(-)-Chronotropic

1. Dr. Duke

5-HT-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

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

Arthritis

1. Complementary therapies in clinical practice
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Dna damage

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Hiv

1. Journal of medical virology

Abscesses

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Allergies

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Asthma

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Bladder cancer

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fatigue

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Fevers

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Preparations

Uncaria tomentosa has 30 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Uncaria tomentosa extracts, aqueous extract, extracts, water extracts, 2% Uncaria tomentosa gel.

Uncaria tomentosa extracts

1. Anticancer research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Extracts

1. Journal of clinical medicine
2. Journal of medical virology

Water extracts

1. Anticancer research
2. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

2% uncaria tomentosa gel

1. Journal of prosthodontics : official journal of the American College of Prosthodontists

Aeut

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract of the bark

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bark products

1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Micropulverized uncaria tomentosa

1. Brazilian oral research

Samento

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)