Indian Ipecac

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Indian Ipecac
• antamul

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tylophora indica

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

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.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Morphology

The morphology of Vincetoxicum indicum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an obligatory vine. This plant typically reaches an average height of 1.5 m and exhibits a climbing habit as a liana to navigate its environment. It is a terrestrial species, meaning it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte, growing independently in its habitat without being a parasite or relying on other plants for structural support through epiphytic mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

vine

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Vincetoxicum indicum is characterized by complex metabolic processes geared toward survival in diverse ecological niches, involving specialized mechanisms for nutrient uptake and secondary metabolite synthesis. As a perennial herb, its physiological framework relies on efficient photosynthetic pathways to drive biomass production, supported by a robust vascular system that facilitates the translocation of water and minerals. Regarding its interaction with soil nutrients, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria, such as Rhizobium, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia. Consequently, its nitrogen acquisition is strictly dependent on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium ions present in the soil through its root system. This metabolic dependency dictates its growth patterns and nutritional requirements within its habitat.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Vincetoxicum indicum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Planta
2. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids

Chemicals

Vincetoxicum indicum has 25 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Tylophorine, Tylophorinidine, TYLOPHORININE, Indole-3-butyric acid, Lupeol.

Tylophorine

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plant cell reports
3. Planta
4. 3 Biotech
5. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids

Tylophorinidine

1. Dr. Duke
2. 3 Biotech
3. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids
4. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

TYLOPHORININE

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. 3 Biotech
3. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids

Indole-3-butyric acid

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology
2. PloS one

Lupeol

1. Natural product research
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

indole-3-acetic acid

1. Physiology and molecular biology of plants : an international journal of functional plant biology
2. Plant cell reports

quercetin

1. Computers in biology and medicine
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

(-)-Tylophorine

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

2-isopentyladenine

1. Plant cell reports

6-Benzyladenine

1. Plant cell reports

Activities

Vincetoxicum indicum has 29 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antispasmodic, Amebicide, Antiallergic, Antianaphylactic, Antiarthritic.

Antispasmodic

1. Dr. Duke
2. The British homoeopathic journal

Amebicide

1. Dr. Duke

Antiallergic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianaphylactic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiarthritic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiasthmatic

1. Dr. Duke

Anticancer

1. Biochimica et biophysica acta. Molecular and cell biology of lipids

Antiedemic

1. Dr. Duke

Antifeedant

1. Dr. Duke

Antihistaminic

1. Dr. Duke

Preparations