Uncaria guianensis
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643ff0065dcde355371980 |
| Scientific name | Uncaria guianensis |
| Authority | (Aubl.) J.F.Gmel. |
| First published in | Syst. Nat. ed. 13[bis] : 370 (1791) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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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.
Uncaria guianensis is widely used in the Andean and Guayana lowlands as a bitter bark or root infusion and decoction. In northern Peru, healers have recorded bark tea for digestive complaints and washing wounds (Heuvel and Wall, 2001). On the Venezuelan coast, the coastal people prepare root decoctions taken in small daily cups as a tonic and for urinary complaints (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1936). Among the Achuar and other Kichwa-speaking peoples of the Peruvian Amazon, bark teas are drunk after meals to support digestion (Bennett et al., 2021). In Brazil, whole-plant decoctions are taken by people with chronic kidney disease (Jacobsen et al., 2020). Across northern Peru, root teas are employed as an adjunct in chronic kidney disease (Sandoval et al., 2002). These practices center on bark or roots steeped or boiled in water.
A practical preparation from these traditions is a mild bark decoction. Combine 8–10 g of coarse bark with 500 mL of water in a nonmetal pot, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes, and then let stand for 15 minutes. Drink 150–200 mL once or twice daily as needed for gentle bitter support. A 1:5 (bark:ethanol by weight) tincture for more concentrated use is made by macerating 50 g of chopped bark in 250 mL of 45% ethanol for 2 weeks in a dark glass bottle, shaking daily and pressing at the end. Typical doses reported in Amazonian practice are 1–3 mL twice daily, though amounts vary. This plant should be used cautiously with immunosuppressants or in autoimmune conditions; avoid in pregnancy and lactation; and avoid the seeds, which can be toxic in excessive doses.
Pharmacologically, the bark and roots of this species contain oxindole alkaloids (mitraphylline and isomitraphylline), indole alkaloids (hirsutine), and triterpenoid quinovic acid glycosides reported in U. guianensis. These constituents are present across Uncaria species and provide a plausible basis for the reported immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial actions.
Today, U. guianensis is sold commercially as capsules and tinctures and remains an important remedy in contemporary herbal practice in the Andes and Amazon. Clinical trials are exploring the plant in chronic kidney disease and osteoarthritis, while ethnobotanical work continues to document its living uses (Sandoval et al., 2002; Jacobsen et al., 2020).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
Typical products are voucher specimens (dry branches with leaves, flowers, or fruits) and reference DNA samples for taxonomy and systematics.
Scientific and model uses:
The species is used as a taxonomic voucher and in barcoding/phylogenetic studies; rbcL sequences are recorded in public databases (GenBank) and the plant is indexed by GBIF. Purified alkaloids and other metabolites (e.g., oxindole, indole alkaloids; catechins; quinovic acid glycosides) serve as analytical standards in phytochemistry and metabolomics. The species is cited as a model liana for tropical forest ecology, contributing to carbon storage and nutrient cycling.
Properties relevant to use:
Voucher validity relies on complete macro-morphological documentation and minimal preservation damage. Reference DNA remains analyzable when dried and stored at −20 °C or colder; fresh silica-dried leaf tissue maintains high-quality amplifiable DNA. Pure isolated compounds allow quantitative analysis (LC–MS/GC–MS) through defined retention times, UV/Vis spectra, and mass fragmentation.
Standards and regulation:
Herbarium vouchers are curated to Index Herbariorum standards (herbarium codes and unique accession numbers); DNA data comply with data standards for GenBank (country, collector, date, coordinates, and life-stage metadata). ISO 17025 principles guide analytical-reference material traceability and batch documentation.
Sustainability and sourcing:
Propagation is primarily from wild-collected seeds and cuttings, with liana regrowth following harvest cycles. Current IUCN assessments list the species as Least Concern with some regional threats from habitat loss; best practice is to collect material responsibly with clear provenance and standard permits where required.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Nauclea aculeata | Willd. | Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 1: 929 (1798) |
| Nauclea guianensis | Poir. | Bot. Nomencl. : 130 (1794) |
| Ourouparia guianensis | Aubl. | Hist. Pl. Guiane : 177 (1775) |
| Uncaria aculeata | Willd. | Delect. Opusc. Bot. 2: 200 (1793) |
| Uncaria spinosa | Raeusch. | Nomencl. Bot. : 55 (1797) |
| Uruparia guianensis | (Aubl.) Kuntze | Revis. Gen. Pl. 1: 301. 1891 (1891) |
| Uruparia versicolor | Raf. | Sylva Tellur. : 148 (1838) |
| Uncaria versicolor | Willd. | Delect. Opusc. Bot. 2: 200 (1793) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 圭亚那钩藤 |
| Chinese | 圭亞那鈎藤 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Southern America click to expand
-
Brazil
- Brazil North
- Brazil Northeast
- Brazil West-central
-
Caribbean
- Trinidad-Tobago
-
Northern South America
- French Guiana
- Guyana
- Suriname
- Venezuela
-
Southern South America
- Paraguay
-
Western South America
- Bolivia
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
-
Brazil
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000329248 |
| Tropicos | 27903887 |
| INPN | 734936 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:768250-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-209803 |
| PFAF | Uncaria guianensis |
| Open Tree Of Life | 1089068 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 170183 |
| IPNI | 768250-1 |
| iNaturalist | 706980 |
| GBIF | 5338243 |
| Freebase | /m/0cz92jv |
| EOL | 1108381 |
| USDA GRIN | 413468 |
| Wikipedia | Uncaria_guianensis |
| CMAUP | NPO358 |
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)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Corynanthean-type alkaloids | |||||
| Hirsutine | 3037884 | Click to see CCC1CN2CCC3=C(C2CC1C(=COC)C(=O)OC)NC4=CC=CC=C34 | 368.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isocorynantheidine | 10948612 | Click to see | 368.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl (Z)-2-[(2S,3R,12bR)-3-ethenyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,12,12b-octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizin-2-yl]-3-methoxyprop-2-enoate | 5318054 | Click to see COC=C(C1CC2C3=C(CCN2CC1C=C)C4=CC=CC=C4N3)C(=O)OC | 366.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Alkaloids and derivatives / Yohimbine alkaloids | |||||
| 3-Isoajmalicine | 11416867 | Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4=C(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)NC5=CC=CC=C45 | 352.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422004000600007 |
| Lamuran | 251561 | Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4=C(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)NC5=CC=CC=C45 | 352.40 | unknown |
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4446702/ https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422004000600007 |
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives / Gallic acid and derivatives / Galloyl esters | |||||
| Ethyl gallate | 13250 | Click to see CCOC(=O)C1=CC(=C(C(=C1)O)O)O | 198.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Eicosanoic Acid | 10467 | Click to see | 312.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Triterpene glycosides / Triterpene saponins | |||||
| (1S,2R,4aS,6aR,6aR,6bR,8aR,10S,12aR,14bS)-1,2,6b,9,9,12a-hexamethyl-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene-4a,6a-dicarboxylic acid | 101602332 | Click to see | 632.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84223-F |
| (1S,2R,4aS,6aR,6aR,6bR,8aR,10S,12aR,14bS)-1,2,6b,9,9,12a-hexamethyl-6a-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene-4a-carboxylic acid | 44567012 | Click to see | 795.00 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84223-F |
| 10-[3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-1,2,6b,9,9,12a-hexamethyl-6a-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-2,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydro-1H-picene-4a-carboxylic acid | 14060280 | Click to see | 957.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84223-F |
| Quinovic acid glycoside 1 | 44593498 | Click to see | 957.10 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84223-F |
| Quinovin | 11411086 | Click to see | 632.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84223-F |
| Quivin | 3508071 | Click to see | 632.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84223-F |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-4-[(2S,3R,4R,5S)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxy-5-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 101682282 | Click to see | 883.10 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-[(2R,3R,4S,5S)-4-[(2S,3R,4S,5S)-3,4-diacetyloxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxy-5-hydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 53483549 | Click to see | 967.10 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-[(2S,3R,4S,5S)-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4-[(2S,3R,4S,5S)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 21637697 | Click to see | 883.10 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (4aS,6aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,9R,10S,12aR,14bS)-10-[(2S,3R,4S,5S)-3-[(2S,3R,4R,5S,6S)-4-[(2S,3R,4R,5S)-5-acetyloxy-3,4-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-9-(hydroxymethyl)-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylic acid | 24866792 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(COC2OC3CCC4(C(C3(C)CO)CCC5(C4CC=C6C5(CCC7(C6CC(CC7)(C)C)C(=O)O)C)C)C)O)O)O)OC8C(C(C(CO8)OC(=O)C)O)O)O | 925.10 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3beta-[[2-O-(alpha-L-Rhamnopyranosyl)-3-O-(3-O-acetyl-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl)-beta-L-arabinopyranosyl]oxy]-23-hydroxyoleana-12-ene-28-oic acid | 53483550 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(COC2OC3CCC4(C(C3(C)CO)CCC5(C4CC=C6C5(CCC7(C6CC(CC7)(C)C)C(=O)O)C)C)C)O)OC8C(C(C(O8)CO)OC(=O)C)O)O)O)O | 925.10 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hederagenin | 73299 | Click to see | 472.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroid lactones / Cardenolides and derivatives / Cardenolide glycosides and derivatives | |||||
| (1R,2S,5S,6S,9R,12S,13S,16S,18R)-16-[(2R,3S,4R,5S,6S)-3,5-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxy-2-hydroxy-13-methylspiro[7-oxapentacyclo[10.8.0.02,9.05,9.013,18]icosane-6,4'-oxolane]-2'-one | 162981104 | Click to see | 550.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(91)84223-F |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Dihydrofurans / Furanones / Butenolides | |||||
| 4-(Hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran-2-one | 157706 | Click to see | 114.10 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Furofurans | |||||
| Lappaceolide B | 11572139 | Click to see | 228.20 | 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 | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960860 |
| Isomitraphyllic acid | 101176445 | Click to see | 354.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422004000600007 |
| Isomitraphylline | 11726520 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422004000600007 https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00117 |
| Isopteropodine | 9885603 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960860 |
| Isorhynchophylline | 3037048 | Click to see CCC1CN2CCC3(C2CC1C(=COC)C(=O)OC)C4=CC=CC=C4NC3=O | 384.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl (1R,4aS,5aR,6R,10aS)-1-methyl-2'-oxospiro[1,4a,5,5a,7,8,10,10a-octahydropyrano[3,4-f]indolizine-6,3'-1H-indole]-4-carboxylate | 11943653 | Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)C5=CC=CC=C5NC4=O | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| methyl (1S,5aS,6S,10aS)-1-methyl-2'-oxospiro[1,4a,5,5a,7,8,10,10a-octahydropyrano[3,4-f]indolizine-6,3'-1H-indole]-4-carboxylate | 134823823 | Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)C5=CC=CC=C5NC4=O | 368.40 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00117 https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960860 |
| 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 |
| Mitraphylline | 94160 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00117 |
| Pteropodine | 10429112 | Click to see CC1C2CN3CCC4(C3CC2C(=CO1)C(=O)OC)C5=CC=CC=C5NC4=O | 368.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960860 |
| Speciophylline | 168985 | Click to see | 368.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Hydroxycoumarins | |||||
| Isoscopoletin | 69894 | Click to see | 192.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins | |||||
| Catechin | 9064 | Click to see | 290.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00117 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavans / Catechins / Epigallocatechins | |||||
| Epigallocatechin | 72277 | Click to see C1C(C(OC2=CC(=CC(=C21)O)O)C3=CC(=C(C(=C3)O)O)O)O | 306.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1078/0944-7113-00117 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid 3-O-p-coumaroyl glycosides | |||||
| Tiliroside | 5320686 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Afzelin | 5316673 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| kaempferol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-7-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside | 21606527 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2=CC(=C3C(=C2)OC(=C(C3=O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)C5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| Corilagin | 73568 | Click to see | 634.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ellagic Acid | 5281855 | Click to see | 302.19 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |