Advances in chemistry and bioactivity of the genus Uncaria

Abstract

The alkaloids of the pantropical genus Uncaria (Rubiaceae) were reviewed extensively by Phillipson et al. in (1978) Since then a host of papers with new results has been published. The compounds discovered are from three major groups: (1) alkaloids; (2) terpenoids; and (3) flavonoids. Some highly unusual structures have been reported. Although there are at least 35 species of Uncaria known, recent research focussed on a relatively small number of species. During recent years bioactivity of extracts and pure compounds isolated from Uncaria species have been increasingly investigated. These include anticonvulsive, antiinflammatory, antimutagenic, antioxidant, cytoprotective, hypotensive, and immunoregulatory effects. The literature since 1978 is reviewed and 133 references are given.

Uncarilic Acid and Secouncarilic Acid, Two New Triterpenoids from Uucaria sessilifructus

“…To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of non-alkaloids isolated from Uucaria sessilifructus Roxb. These oleanane-and ursane-type triterpenoids are also of chemotaxonomic significance as ursane-or oleanane-type triterpenoids were reported to be the characteristic metabolites of the genus Uncaria [4,5]. In addition, uncarilic acid is the second 6-oxo oleanane-type triterpenoid ever reported, while secouncarilic acid is the first oleanane-type 5,6-secotriterpenoid.…”

“…The remaining solution was adjusted to pH 3 using 10% H 2 SO 4 and then extract with EtOAc to give EtOAc and water extracts after concentration. The EtOAc extract (310 g) was then subjected to silica gel column chromatography (CC) eluted with petroleum ether/EtOAc (from 50:1 to 0:1) through EtOAc/MeOH (from 10:1 to 3:1) to yield five major fractions (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Fraction 3 (5.8 g) was subjected to silica gel CC (CHCl 3 /MeOH, 50:1→10:1) to give 3 (29 mg) and 4 (8 mg).…”

“…has been used by the Chinese people for the treatment of hypertension, headache and fever [2], and by the Red-headed Yao people in Jinping of Yunnan Province of China to treat fear, neurotic disorders, high blood pressure, giddiness, bellyache, hysteritis, rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis, hemiplegia, sciatica, injuries from falls, and ulcers [3]. Aside from alkaloids and flavonoids, species of the genus Uncaria also contain a variety of pentacyclic triterpenoids, typically derived from ursolic, oleanolic, or quinovic acid [4,5]. In U. sessilifructus, a total of fifteen pentacyclic or tetracyclic oxindole alkaloids were identified prior to Philipson's 1978 review of Uncaria alkaloids [6].…”

Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis an agronomic history to be written

“…This genus includes the tribe Coptosapelteae (LAUS, 2004), specifically subtribe Mitragyninae (KEPLINGER et al, 1999), subfamily Cinchonoidae (MUR et al, 2002), and family Rubiaceae.…”

Pharmacological effects of mitraphylline from Uncaria tomentosa in primary human monocytes: Skew toward M2 macrophages

“…The majority alkaloids of Uncaria are indole and oxindole families (Laus et al, 2004), which are well recognized as phytochemical markers of this species with relevant pharmacological activities (Heitzman et al, 2005). Mitraphylline (MTP) is an oxindole alkaloid and the most ubiquitous alkaloid being present in 20 of 34 Uncaria species (Heitzman et al, 2005).…”