Uncaria rhynchophylla: an ethnopharmacological review integrating traditional Chinese medicine uses with phytochemical and pharmacological evidence
Tongzheng Liu, Wanqing Ren, Xiwen Geng, Chuanguo Liu
TL;DR
This review explores the traditional uses and scientific evidence for Uncaria rhynchophylla, highlighting its potential in treating neurological and cardiovascular conditions.
Contribution
The paper integrates traditional Chinese medicine knowledge with modern phytochemical and pharmacological evidence for Uncaria rhynchophylla.
Findings
UR contains monoterpenoid indole alkaloids and shows neuroprotective effects in preclinical models.
Antihypertensive effects are linked to calcium channel antagonism and vasodilation.
Poor oral bioavailability and lack of clinical validation remain major challenges.
Abstract
Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks. (UR), a climbing shrub of the Rubiaceae family, has been a foundational remedy in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,500 years, and has long been used to treat neurological disorders, hypertension, and inflammatory conditions associated with “Liver Wind” and “Liver Yang Rising.” This review summarizes traditional ethnopharmacological knowledge by integrating it with scientific evidence related to UR’s chemical composition, pharmacological mechanisms, and therapeutic potential. This systematic narrative review analyzed 78 studies from databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, and Wanfang (2000–2025), focusing on peer-reviewed articles on UR’s phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. The plant primarily contains monoterpenoid indole alkaloids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and phenolics. Preclinical studies have demonstrated…
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Taxonomy
TopicsAlkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology · Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior · Berberine and alkaloids research