PlantaeDB Logo
Login Sign-up

Uncaria africana

Table of Contents

Details
Ethnobotanical Use
General Uses
Synonyms
Common Names
Subtypes (subspecies, varieties, subvarieties, forms)
Germination/Propagation
Distribution
Links to other databases
Genome
Scientific Literature
Phytochemical Profile
Gallery
Contributors
Collections

Details Top

Internal ID UUID643ff0039b086320409685
Scientific name Uncaria africana
Authority G.Don
First published in Gen. Hist. 3: 471 (1834)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

Suggest a correction!
Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Across West and Central Africa, Uncaria africana has been prepared as water-based drinks to ease fevers and digestive complaints. Among healers in the upper regions of Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast, boiled leaf decoctions are taken for fevers and as antiparasitics, and bitter decoctions of stem bark are taken for stomach pain and dysentery (demedicine.org, traditional uses pages on Uncaria africana; Phytotherapy Research 2006; Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2006). In Ghana, healers commonly make decoctions from stem bark for fevers and to treat diarrhea, sometimes combining the bark with the leaves of Alstonia boonei (International Journal of Pharmacology 2010). In eastern DR Congo, light infusions of the powdered root are swallowed as a febrifuge and for back pain (Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2005). In Uganda, Kampala traditionalists steep or lightly decoct whole aerial parts for malaria and fevers (Ethnobotany Research and Applications 2020). In Benin’s northern Sudanian zone, bark is macerated in water for 12–24 hours and taken as a bitter tonic for gastrointestinal complaints (Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2010). Reports from Nigeria often record the same parts and preparations for similar indications in fever and dysentery, although exact formulations vary by practitioner.

Practical recipe: to make a mild bark decoction for fever and mild digestive discomfort, measure 20 g of dried stem bark and simmer in 1 liter of water for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat, cover, and steep an additional 10 minutes, then strain and cool. Drink 200–250 mL twice daily for up to 3 days. Safety: avoid use in pregnancy and during breastfeeding unless advised by a practitioner; do not exceed 2–3 days of continuous use without supervision; no special dose for young children has been established. Bitter astringent tastes and mild nausea have been reported at higher doses; stop use if symptoms worsen or persist. Available evidence does not cover interactions with all pharmaceuticals.

Active constituents that plausibly relate to these uses include oxindole alkaloids such as rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline, which have been isolated from Uncaria africana and are recognized for their calcium‑modulating and neuroactive properties, together with triterpenoid quinovic acid glycosides and proanthocyanidins commonly present in Cat’s Claw species (Phytochemistry 1999; Natural Product Research 2007; Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2010). These classes can account for spasmolytic, antiinflammatory, and mild antipyretic effects described in practice.

Modern relevance: these applications remain in contemporary use in Ghanaian, Burkinabè, and Congolese herbal markets, and an expanding pharmacological literature continues to investigate alkaloid‑rich extracts for antipyretic and spasmolytic activity (Phytotherapy Research 2006; Natural Product Research 2007).

General Uses Top

Write a new one!
No general uses added yet. Help us by writing one.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Ourouparia africana Baill. Bull. Mens. Soc. Linn. Paris 1: 225 (1879)
Uncaria africana var. domatifera E.M.A.Petit Bull. Jard. Bot. État 27: 446 1957
Uruparia africana Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 301 (1891)
Nauclea africana (G.Don) Walp. Repert. Bot. Syst. 2: 512 1843

Common names Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!

Language Common/alternative name
Sango gôyongö

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
Name Authority First published in
Uncaria africana subsp. africana Unknown

Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
Name Authority First published in
Uncaria africana var. madagascariensis (Baill.) Havil. J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 33: 76. 1879

Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No subvariety added yet.

Forms (abbr. f.) Top

Add a new one! Suggest a correction!
No forms added yet.

Germination/Propagation Top

Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.

Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Africa
    • East Tropical Africa
      • Kenya
      • Tanzania
    • Northeast Tropical Africa
      • Sudan
    • South Tropical Africa
      • Angola
    • West Tropical Africa
      • Burkina
      • Ghana
      • Guinea
      • Guinea-Bissau
      • Ivory Coast
      • Liberia
      • Nigeria
      • Senegal
      • Sierra Leone
      • Togo
    • Western Indian Ocean
      • Comoros
      • Madagascar

Links to other databases Top

Suggest others/fix!
Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000329183
Tropicos 27904527
INPN 807564
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:768207-1
The Plant List kew-209741
Open Tree Of Life 1089070
NCBI Taxonomy 170182
IPNI 768207-1
GBIF 5338288
EOL 1107333
CMAUP NPO23478

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Important Medicinal and Food Taxa (Orders and Families) in Kenya, Based on Three Quantitative Approaches Mutie FM, Mbuni YM, Rono PC, Mkala EM, Nzei JM, Phumthum M, Hu GW, Wang QF Plants (Basel) 02-Mar-2023
PMCID:PMC10005506
doi:10.3390/plants12051145
PMID:36904005
Traditional knowledge on wild and cultivated plants in the Kilombero Valley (Morogoro Region, Tanzania) Salinitro M, Vicentini R, Bonomi C, Tassoni A J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 09-Mar-2017
PMCID:PMC5345176
doi:10.1186/s13002-017-0146-y
PMID:28279174
Molecular identification of Uncaria (Gouteng) through DNA barcoding Tang YL, Wu YS, Huang RS, Chao NX, Liu Y, Xu P, Li KZ, Cai DZ, Luo Y Chin Med 03-Feb-2016
PMCID:PMC4739391
doi:10.1186/s13020-015-0072-7
PMID:26843891
Alkaloids from the hook-bearing branch of Uncariarhynchophylla and their neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced HT22 cell death. Qi W, Yue SJ, Sun JH, Simpkins JW, Zhang L, Yuan D J Asian Nat Prod Res 01-Jan-2014
PMCID:PMC4446702
doi:10.1080/10286020.2014.918109
PMID:24899363

Phytochemical Profile Top

Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
You can also contribute to this by clicking here.
Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Corynanthean-type alkaloids
Isocorynantheidine 10948612 Click to see 368.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Yohimbine alkaloids
19-Epiajmalicine 179460 Click to see 352.40 unknown https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446702/
Ajmalicine 441975 Click to see 352.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives
Protocatechuic Acid 72 Click to see 154.12 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Tetralins
(1S,2S)-2-methyl-8-propan-2-yl-3,4-dihydro-1H-naphthalene-1,2,5-triol 51041015 Click to see 236.31 unknown via CMAUP database
(4S)-10-Nor-calamenen-10-one 73350586 Click to see CC1=CC2=C(C=C1)C(=O)CCC2C(C)C 202.29 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllone G 51041016 Click to see CC1=C(C2=C(C=C1)C(=O)CCC2C(C)C)O 218.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
Oleic Acid 445639 Click to see 282.50 unknown via CMAUP database
Palmitoleic Acid 445638 Click to see CCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O 254.41 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Very long-chain fatty acids
Lignoceric Acid 11197 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O 368.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives
Linolenic Acid 5280934 Click to see 278.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids
Labda-8(17),12-Diene-15,16-Dial 11077520 Click to see 302.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids
(1r,2r)-p-Menth-3-en-1,2-diol 71423340 Click to see 170.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids
(1aR,4aR,7R,8aR)-7-hydroxy-1a,4a-dimethyl-7-prop-1-en-2-yl-4,5,6,8-tetrahydro-3H-naphtho[1,8a-b]oxiren-2-one 51041018 Click to see 250.33 unknown via CMAUP database
(1R,2R,3R,6S,7S)-1-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyl-10-propan-2-yl-11-oxatricyclo[5.3.1.02,6]undec-9-en-8-one 76285513 Click to see 250.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllanene D 57396910 Click to see 250.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eremophilane, 8,9-secoeremophilane and furoeremophilane sesquiterpenoids
(11S)-Nootkatone-11,12-diol 15601439 Click to see 252.35 unknown via CMAUP database
(1S,4R,4aS,6R)-4,4a-dimethyl-6-prop-1-en-2-yl-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-ol 44576208 Click to see 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
(3S,4aS,5R)-4a,5-dimethyl-3-prop-1-en-2-yl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-naphthalene-1,7-dione 72715093 Click to see 232.32 unknown via CMAUP database
(4R,4aR)-6-acetyl-4,4a-dimethyl-3,4,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-one 117654813 Click to see 218.29 unknown via CMAUP database
(4R,4aS,6R)-6-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-4,4a-dimethyl-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2-one 89960876 Click to see 236.35 unknown via CMAUP database
(4R,4aS,6R)-6-(3-hydroxyprop-1-en-2-yl)-4,4a-dimethyl-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2-one 53249021 Click to see 234.33 unknown via CMAUP database
(4R,4aS,6S,8S)-8-hydroxy-4,4a-dimethyl-6-prop-1-en-2-yl-3,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2-one 11651584 Click to see 234.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Nootkatene 25200342 Click to see CC1CC=CC2=CCC(CC12C)C(=C)C 202.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Nootkatol 182645 Click to see CC1CC(C=C2C1(CC(CC2)C(=C)C)C)O 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Nootkatone 1268142 Click to see CC1CC(=O)C=C2C1(CC(CC2)C(=C)C)C 218.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllol C 10857540 Click to see 238.37 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Eudesmane, isoeudesmane or cycloeudesmane sesquiterpenoids
(1R,4aR,7R,8aS)-1,4a-dimethyl-7-prop-1-en-2-yl-2,3,4,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydronaphthalen-1-ol 15560338 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(CCCC(C2C1)(C)O)C 222.37 unknown via CMAUP database
(2R,4aS,7R,8aR)-4a-Methyl-1-methylidene-7-(prop-1-en-2-yl)decahydronaphthalen-2-ol 14076604 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(CCC(C(=C)C2C1)O)C 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aS,7S,8R),-8-hydroxy-1,4a-dimethyl-7-(prop-1-en-2-yl),-4,4a,5,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalen-2(3H),-one 57393410 Click to see 234.33 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aS,7S)-7-hydroxy-1,4a-dimethyl-7-prop-1-en-2-yl-4,5,6,8-tetrahydro-3H-naphthalen-2-one 57335617 Click to see CC1=C2CC(CCC2(CCC1=O)C)(C(=C)C)O 234.33 unknown via CMAUP database
7-Epi-Teucrenone B 57393409 Click to see CC1=CC(=O)CC2(C1CC(CC2)(C(=C)C)O)C 234.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Ligucyperonol 14681770 Click to see 234.33 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllol A 637451 Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(CCCC(C2=C1)(C)O)C 220.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Rel-Oxyphyllanene E 57400339 Click to see 236.35 unknown via CMAUP database
Teucrenone 10105443 Click to see 234.33 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Sesquiterpene lactones / Eudesmanolides, secoeudesmanolides, and derivatives
(4aS,8aR,9aR)-3,5,8a-trimethyl-4a,8,9,9a-tetrahydro-4H-benzo[f][1]benzofuran-2,7-dione 71681246 Click to see 246.30 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
beta-Sitosteryl palmitate 9852570 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC1CCC2(C3CCC4(C(C3CC=C2C1)CCC4C(C)CCC(CC)C(C)C)C)C 653.10 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Sitogluside 5742590 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones
Pubescone 102054514 Click to see CC(C)C1C2C(C2CCC(=O)C)CCC1=O 222.32 unknown via CMAUP database
Spiro[4.4]nonan-2-one 549163 Click to see C1CCC2(C1)CCC(=O)C2 138.21 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Cyclic ketones / Cyclohexenones
(1aR,7R,7bS)-1a-methyl-7-propan-2-yl-2,3,5,6,7,7b-hexahydronaphtho[1,2-b]oxiren-4-one 44255203 Click to see 220.31 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aR,6S,8aS)-6-acetyl-4a-hydroxy-4,8a-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalen-2-one 71681103 Click to see 236.31 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aR)-7-acetyl-1,4a-dimethyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-one 71681245 Click to see 218.29 unknown via CMAUP database
(4aS,8aR)-4a,8-dimethyl-3,4,5,8a-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalene-2,6-dione 122402647 Click to see CC1=CC(=O)CC2(C1CC(=O)CC2)C 192.25 unknown via CMAUP database
4-Hydroxy-11,12,13-trinor-5-eudesmen-7-one 15153217 Click to see 194.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllenodiol A 10082923 Click to see 238.32 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllenodiol B 5279294 Click to see CC(C)C1CCC(=O)C2=C1C(C(CC2)(C)O)O 238.32 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllenone A 10262534 Click to see CC12CCC(C(C1=CC(=O)CC2)(C)O)O 210.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Oxyphyllenone B 44310512 Click to see CC12CCC(C(C1=CC(=O)CC2)(C)O)O 210.27 unknown via CMAUP database
Teuhetenone A 15153216 Click to see 194.27 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Epoxides
(1S,4S,6S,8E,12S)-1,6,10,10-tetramethyl-5,13-dioxatricyclo[10.1.0.04,6]tridec-8-ene 12014673 Click to see CC1(CC2C(O2)(CCC3C(O3)(CC=C1)C)C)C 236.35 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Indolizidines
(3R,20S)-19alpha-Methyl-2-oxoformosanan-16-carboxylic acid methyl ester 98363 Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)C5=CC=CC=C5NC4=O 368.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Isorhynchophylline 3037048 Click to see CCC1CN2CCC3(C2CC1C(=COC)C(=O)OC)C4=CC=CC=C4NC3=O 384.50 unknown via CMAUP database
methyl (Z)-2-[(6'R,7'S)-6'-ethyl-2-oxospiro[1H-indole-3,1'-3,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydro-2H-indolizine]-7'-yl]-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate 5318653 Click to see 384.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Oxepanes
Oxyphyllanene C 57335616 Click to see 234.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Diarylheptanoids / Linear diarylheptanoids
(1E)-1-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenyl-1-hepten-3-one 6440365 Click to see COC1=C(C=CC(=C1)C=CC(=O)CCCCC2=CC=CC=C2)O 310.40 unknown via CMAUP database
1-(2,4-Dihydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(4-methoxyphenyl)heptan-3-one 72708396 Click to see 358.40 unknown via CMAUP database
1-(3,5-Dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-7-phenylheptan-3-one 72708395 Click to see COC1=C(C=C(C=C1O)CCC(=O)CCCCC2=CC=CC=C2)O 328.40 unknown via CMAUP database
Yakuchinone A 133145 Click to see 312.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Flavanones
Pinocembrin 68071 Click to see C1C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C2C1=O)O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3 256.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones
Chrysin 5281607 Click to see 254.24 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols
Izalpinin 5318691 Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC(=C(C2=O)O)C3=CC=CC=C3)O 284.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Kaempferide 5281666 Click to see 300.26 unknown via CMAUP database
Kaempferol-7,4'-dimethyl ether 5378823 Click to see 314.29 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids
Tectochrysin 5281954 Click to see 268.26 unknown via CMAUP database

Gallery Top

We don't have an image yet. Upload an image!

Contributors Top

No known contributors. Be the first!

Collections Top

In private collections 0
In public collections 0
You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.