Details Top

Internal ID UUID644005172b9c5061239533
Scientific name Stephania venosa
Authority (Blume) Spreng.
First published in Syst. Veg. 4(2): 96 (1827)

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.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Across parts of Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, Stephania venosa has long been used as a febrifuge and digestive aid. In Thailand, the sliced tuber (or the swollen stem called the “tuberous root” by Thai herbalists) is boiled to make a decoction for fever, stomachache, and dyspepsia, a practice recorded in Thai herbal pharmacopeias and clinical manuals (Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1995; Chaiyong et al., 2002; Picheansoonthon, 2008). Among the Akha and other hill-tribe groups in northern Thailand and in adjacent Lao areas, communities apply poultices made from the fresh root to sprains and muscular pain, while also drinking a weak decoction for intermittent fever (Picheansoonthon & Koonterm, 2009; Pothongsunun, 2011). In northern Vietnam, ethnic minorities use a short decoction of the tuber for digestive complaints and mild fevers, with topical applications of crushed root for trauma, noted in regional surveys (Do et al., 2012). Finally, some communities steam or lightly boil the tuber to make a medicated wash used externally on inflamed skin or insect bites (Chaiyong et al., 2002).

One practical recipe is a simple febrifuge/decoction: clean and thinly slice 10–20 g of the dried tuber, simmer in 500 ml water for 20–30 minutes, then strain and drink in divided doses (Thai Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1995). A mild external wash can be made by cooling and diluting the decoction and applying to the skin as needed. Please note that the tuber is acrid and must be properly processed; untreated fresh root can irritate, and not all authors specify precise doses (Picheansoonthon & Koonterm, 2009). While these traditional uses are well documented, no reliable source reports its ingestion during pregnancy or lactation; consult a qualified practitioner before use.

Phytochemistry relevant to these indications includes alkaloids such as hasubanonine, stephanine, and related bisbenzylisoquinolines, along with flavonoids and sterols commonly found in Menispermaceae (Chaiyong et al., 2002; Do et al., 2012). These constituents have documented pharmacological activities—analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory—that plausibly underlie the documented fever, digestive, and topical uses.

Today, dried slices or powders are still sold in regional herbal stalls and featured in Thai monographs, while pharmacological research on the tuber’s alkaloids and essential oil continues (Picheansoonthon, 2008; Do et al., 2012).

General Uses Top

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Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Stephania prapatensis Yamam. J. Soc. Trop. Agric. 17: 143 (1944)
Clypea venosa Blume Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. : 27 (1825)

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Thai สบู่เลือด
Chinese 脉纹山乌龟

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
  • Asia-tropical
    • Indian Subcontinent
      • Bangladesh
    • Indo-China
      • Andaman Islands
      • Cambodia
      • Laos
      • Myanmar
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Malesia
      • Borneo
      • Jawa
      • Malaya
      • Philippines
      • Sulawesi
      • Sumatera

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000505081
Tropicos 100384142
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:581496-1
Open Tree Of Life 397063
NCBI Taxonomy 527508
IPNI 581496-1
GBIF 5592725

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

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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
Eco-friendly approaches to phytochemical production: elicitation and beyond Jalota K, Sharma V, Agarwal C, Jindal S Nat Prod Bioprospect 10-Jan-2024
PMCID:PMC10776560
doi:10.1007/s13659-023-00419-7
PMID:38195902
A Critical Review of the Neuropharmacological Effects of Kratom: An Insight from the Functional Array of Identified Natural Compounds Hossain R, Sultana A, Nuinoon M, Noonong K, Tangpong J, Hossain KH, Rahman MA Molecules 31-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10648626
doi:10.3390/molecules28217372
PMID:37959790
Mechanical investigations of the peltate leaf of Stephania japonica (Menispermaceae): Experiments and a continuum mechanical material model Macek D, Holthusen H, Rjosk A, Ritzert S, Lautenschläger T, Neinhuis C, Simon JW, Reese S Front Plant Sci 27-Jan-2023
PMCID:PMC9911874
doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.994320
PMID:36777539
Antibacterial and Antifungal Alkaloids from Asian Angiosperms: Distribution, Mechanisms of Action, Structure-Activity, and Clinical Potentials Sulaiman M, Jannat K, Nissapatorn V, Rahmatullah M, Paul AK, de Lourdes Pereira M, Rajagopal M, Suleiman M, Butler MS, Break MK, Weber JF, Wilairatana P, Wiart C Antibiotics (Basel) 24-Aug-2022
PMCID:PMC9495154
doi:10.3390/antibiotics11091146
PMID:36139926
Screening an In-House Isoquinoline Alkaloids Library for New Blockers of Voltage-Gated Na+ Channels Using Voltage Sensor Fluorescent Probes: Hits and Biases Coquerel Q, Legendre C, Frangieh J, Waard SD, Montnach J, Cmarko L, Khoury J, Hassane CS, Bréard D, Siegler B, Fajloun Z, De Pomyers H, Mabrouk K, Weiss N, Henrion D, Richomme P, Mattei C, Waard MD, Le Ray AM, Legros C Molecules 28-Jun-2022
PMCID:PMC9268414
doi:10.3390/molecules27134133
PMID:35807390
A Comprehensive Review on the Chemical Properties, Plant Sources, Pharmacological Activities, Pharmacokinetic and Toxicological Characteristics of Tetrahydropalmatine Du Q, Meng X, Wang S Front Pharmacol 26-Apr-2022
PMCID:PMC9086320
doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.890078
PMID:35559252
Spatial Distribution and Stability of Cholinesterase Inhibitory Protoberberine Alkaloids from Papaver setiferum Safa N, Trobec T, Holland DC, Slazak B, Jacobsson E, Hawkes JA, Frangež R, Sepčić K, Göransson U, Moodie LW, Robertson LP J Nat Prod 15-Dec-2021
PMCID:PMC8805119
doi:10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00980
PMID:34910498
Natural Aporphine Alkaloids with Potential to Impact Metabolic Syndrome Wang FX, Zhu N, Zhou F, Lin DX Molecules 10-Oct-2021
PMCID:PMC8540223
doi:10.3390/molecules26206117
PMID:34684698
Strengthening Structures in the Petiole–Lamina Junction of Peltate Leaves Wunnenberg J, Rjosk A, Neinhuis C, Lautenschläger T Biomimetics (Basel) 02-Apr-2021
PMCID:PMC8167582
doi:10.3390/biomimetics6020025
PMID:33918405
Biologically Active Isoquinoline Alkaloids covering 2014-2018 Shang XF, Yang CJ, Morris-Natschke SL, Li JC, Yin XD, Liu YQ, Guo X, Peng JW, Goto M, Zhang JY, Lee KH Med Res Rev 29-Jul-2020
PMCID:PMC7554109
doi:10.1002/med.21703
PMID:32729169
Ovalbumin Hydrolysates Inhibit Nitric Oxide Production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 Macrophages Kim HS, Lee JH, Moon SH, Ahn DU, Paik HD Food Sci Anim Resour 01-Mar-2020
PMCID:PMC7057040
doi:10.5851/kosfa.2020.e12
PMID:32161922
Alkaloids from Plants with Antimalarial Activity: A Review of Recent Studies Uzor PF Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 12-Feb-2020
PMCID:PMC7037883
doi:10.1155/2020/8749083
PMID:32104196
Antiplasmodial natural products: an update Tajuddeen N, Van Heerden FR Malar J 05-Dec-2019
PMCID:PMC6896759
doi:10.1186/s12936-019-3026-1
PMID:31805944
Evaluation of Anti-HIV-1 Integrase and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Compounds from Betula alnoides Buch-Ham Chaniad P, Sudsai T, Septama AW, Chukaew A, Tewtrakul S Adv Pharmacol Sci 02-Jun-2019
PMCID:PMC6589325
doi:10.1155/2019/2573965
PMID:31275368
Diversity and Applications of Endophytic Actinobacteria of Plants in Special and Other Ecological Niches Singh R, Dubey AK Front Microbiol 08-Aug-2018
PMCID:PMC6092505
doi:10.3389/fmicb.2018.01767
PMID:30135681

Phytochemical Profile Top

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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 / Aporphines
(-)-Crebanine 139080500 Click to see 678.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.3987/S-1981-02-1067
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
(-)-Nuciferoline 13996840 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC4=C3C=C(C=C4)O)OC)OC 311.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(-)-Stephanine; (R)-(-)-Stephanine; 8-Methoxy-1,2-(methylenedioxy)-6abeta-aporphine; Stephanin; l-Stephanine 10335495 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1CC5=C4C=CC=C5OC)OCO3 309.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
(+)-Mecambroline 442328 Click to see 295.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(12S)-15,16-dimethoxy-11-methyl-3,5-dioxa-11-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14(19),15,17-hexaene 10042806 Click to see 339.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
[(12R,13S)-15,16-dimethoxy-11-methyl-3,5-dioxa-11-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14(19),15,17-hexaen-13-yl] acetate 163106453 Click to see 397.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
15-Hydroxy-3,5-dioxa-11-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,9,11,14(19),15,17-octaen-13-one 86137270 Click to see C1OC2=C(O1)C3=C4C(=C2)C=CN=C4C(=O)C5=C3C=CC=C5O 291.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
5H-Benzo[g]-1,3-benzodioxolo[6,5,4-de]quinoline, 6,7,7a,8-tetrahydro-9,10-dimethoxy-7-methyl-, (7R)- 333544 Click to see 339.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
Anonaine 160597 Click to see C1CNC2CC3=CC=CC=C3C4=C2C1=CC5=C4OCO5 265.31 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
Crebanine 159999 Click to see 339.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
Dehydrocrebanine 149600 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C5C=CC(=C(C5=CC1=C24)OC)OC)OCO3 337.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
Dehydrostephanine 156870 Click to see 307.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
ethyl (6aR)-1-methoxy-2-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-6-carboxylate 101667575 Click to see 501.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90490-4
ethyl 1-methoxy-2-[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-5,6,6a,7-tetrahydro-4H-dibenzo[de,g]quinoline-6-carboxylate 162903364 Click to see CCOC(=O)N1CCC2=CC(=C(C3=C2C1CC4=CC=CC=C43)OC)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O 501.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)90490-4
Liriodenine 10144 Click to see C1OC2=C(O1)C3=C4C(=C2)C=CN=C4C(=O)C5=CC=CC=C53 275.26 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
Mecambroline 5274588 Click to see 295.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
Nuciferoline 821348 Click to see 311.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
Oxocrebanine 3084713 Click to see 335.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
Oxostephanine 343547 Click to see COC1=CC=CC2=C1C(=O)C3=NC=CC4=CC5=C(C2=C43)OCO5 305.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
R-(-)-asimilobine 160875 Click to see 267.32 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
Stephanine 160501 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1CC5=C4C=CC=C5OC)OCO3 309.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
Stesakine 157110 Click to see 325.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
Tsuduranine 363262 Click to see COC1=C(C2=C3C(CC4=C2C=C(C=C4)O)NCCC3=C1)OC 297.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Aporphines / Hydroxy-7-aporphines
(-)-Stephadiolamine beta-N-oxide 163184422 Click to see 327.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(-)-Sukhodianine beta-N-oxide 163184421 Click to see C[N+]1(CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1C(C5=C4C=CC(=C5OC)OC)O)OCO3)[O-] 371.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(+)-Norushinsunine N-oxide 13891870 Click to see 311.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(11R,12S,13R)-11-methyl-11-oxido-3,5-dioxa-11-azoniapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14,16,18-hexaen-13-ol 13891872 Click to see C[N+]1(CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1C(C5=CC=CC=C54)O)OCO3)[O-] 311.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(11S,12S,13S)-15,16-dimethoxy-11-methyl-11-oxido-3,5-dioxa-11-azoniapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14(19),15,17-hexaen-13-ol 163188451 Click to see C[N+]1(CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1C(C5=C4C=CC(=C5OC)OC)O)OCO3)[O-] 371.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(12R,13R)-15,16-dimethoxy-11-methyl-3,5-dioxa-11-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14(19),15,17-hexaen-13-ol 101012862 Click to see 355.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50021A019
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(12S,13S)-15,16-dimethoxy-11-methyl-3,5-dioxa-11-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14(19),15,17-hexaen-13-ol 154495920 Click to see 355.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(9R,11R,12R,13R)-11-methyl-11-oxido-3,5-dioxa-11-azoniapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14,16,18-hexaene-9,13-diol 163188303 Click to see C[N+]1(CC(C2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1C(C5=CC=CC=C54)O)OCO3)O)[O-] 327.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
15,16-Dimethoxy-11-methyl-3,5-dioxa-11-azapentacyclo[10.7.1.02,6.08,20.014,19]icosa-1(20),2(6),7,14(19),15,17-hexaen-13-ol 13996835 Click to see 355.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
5H-Benzo(g)-1,3-benzodioxolo(6,5,4-de)quinolin-8-ol, 6,7,7a,8-tetrahydro-9-methoxy-7-methyl-, (7aS,8R)- 158089 Click to see 325.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50021A019
5H-Benzo(g)-1,3-benzodioxolo(6,5,4-de)quinolin-8-ol, 6,7,7a,8-tetrahydro-9,10-dimethoxy-7-methyl-, (7aS,8R)- 158088 Click to see 355.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50021A019
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
N-Oxyushinsunine 13891873 Click to see 311.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
Ushinsunine 197018 Click to see CN1CCC2=CC3=C(C4=C2C1C(C5=CC=CC=C54)O)OCO3 295.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Hasubanan alkaloids
Cepharamine 12302744 Click to see CN1CCC23C1(CCC4=C2C(=C(C=C4)OC)O)C=C(C(=O)C3)OC 329.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50038A038
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Proaporphines
(2S,4R,5'S)-5',10,11-trimethoxyspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,4'-cyclohex-2-ene]-1'-one 13996826 Click to see 329.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
(2S,4S,5'R)-5'-hydroxy-10,11-dimethoxyspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,4'-cyclohex-2-ene]-1'-one 163045438 Click to see COC1=C(C2=C3C(CC24C=CC(=O)CC4O)NCCC3=C1)OC 315.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
10-Hydroxy-11-methoxy-5-methylspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,4'-cyclohexa-2,5-diene]-1'-one 626771 Click to see 297.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
5'-Hydroxy-10,11-dimethoxyspiro[5-azatricyclo[6.3.1.04,12]dodeca-1(12),8,10-triene-2,4'-cyclohex-2-ene]-1'-one 13996827 Click to see 315.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
5',6'-Dimethoxy-2',3',8',8a'-tetrahydro-1'h,4h-spiro[cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,7'-cyclopenta[ij]isoquinolin]-4-one 98455 Click to see 297.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81451-X
Crotonosine, 6-methyl- 91741485 Click to see 297.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
Stepharine 193686 Click to see 297.30 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S0031-9422(00)81451-X
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(01)81485-X
> Alkaloids and derivatives / Protoberberine alkaloids and derivatives
(-)-Corydalmine 161665 Click to see 341.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
D-Tetrahydropalmatine 969488 Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(CC3C4=CC(=C(C=C4CCN3C2)OC)OC)C=C1)OC 355.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50040A028
https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
DL-Tetrahydropalmatine 5417 Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(CC3C4=CC(=C(C=C4CCN3C2)OC)OC)C=C1)OC 355.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
Tetrahydropalmatine 72301 Click to see COC1=C(C2=C(CC3C4=CC(=C(C=C4CCN3C2)OC)OC)C=C1)OC 355.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds
(4aR,16aS)-3,4,4a,5,16a,17,18,19-Octahydro-9,21,26-trimethoxy-4,17-dimethyl-2H-1,24:12,15-dietheno-6,10-metheno-16H-pyrido(2',3':17,18)(1,10)dioxacycloeicosino(2,3,4-ij)isoquinolin-22-ol 99620 Click to see 608.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
> Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Aminosaccharides / Aminoglycosides / Aminocyclitol glycosides
(2R,3S,4R,5R,6R)-5-amino-6-[(1R,2R,3S,4R,6S)-6-amino-2-[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-4-[(2R,3R,4R,5S,6R)-3-amino-6-(aminomethyl)-4,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxy-3,4-dihydroxycyclohexyl]oxy-2-(aminomethyl)oxane-3,4-diol 13423454 Click to see 615.60 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Benzylisoquinolines
Reticuline 439653 Click to see 329.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP50054A017
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Isoquinolines and derivatives / Isoquinolones and derivatives
2,9,10-Trimethoxy-5,6-dihydroisoquinolino[2,1-b]isoquinolin-3-one 10065647 Click to see 337.40 unknown https://doi.org/10.1055/S-2006-960858

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