Vincetoxicum indicum
Vincetoxicum indicum, commonly known as Indian swallow-wort, is a perennial climbing herb native to tropical Asia. Renowned in traditional medicine, it contains diverse bioactive alkaloids. These compounds offer significant pharmacological potential, particularly for their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antitumor properties, making it a subject of intense scientific interest.
- Scientific name: Vincetoxicum indicum
- Family: Apocynaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant, known scientifically as Vincetoxicum indicum, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Gentianales. Finally, it is classified under the family Apocynaceae within the genus Vincetoxicum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Gentianales | WCVP |
| Family | Apocynaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Vincetoxicum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, Vincetoxicum indicum, is known by several different names depending on the region and language. In English, it is frequently referred to as Indian swallow-wort, while in Hindi, it is commonly called kund. In Sanskrit, the plant is known as vatsanabha, and in Bengali, it is referred to as kundu.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution spanning across several key regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the state of Assam and throughout Bangladesh. Its presence also extends significantly into the Western Indian Ocean islands. Specifically, it is documented in the island nations of Mauritius and the Seychelles. Additionally, the species is known to inhabit the island of Réunion within the same oceanic region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Réunion | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Seychelles | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Laccadive Is. | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Andaman Is. | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Cambodia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Vincetoxicum indicum, utilizes its leaves as a primary component in various traditional medicinal applications. The leaves are typically arranged in opposite pairs along the stem and serve as a vital site for the plant's metabolic processes. In many herbal practices, these green, lanceolate leaves are harvested and processed to extract bioactive compounds believed to possess therapeutic properties.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 2
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Vincetoxicum indicum has 7 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antirheumatic, Antispasmodic, Gastroprotective.
- Total activities
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Anticancer | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antirheumatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antispasmodic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Gastroprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypotensive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |