Cortex Uncariae: A Review on Pharmacology, Toxicology, Precautions, and Dosage

Cortex Uncariae is the stem of Uncaria tomentosa plant, which belongs to the family Rubiaceae. Cat's thorn and unha de gato are the famous names of Cortex Uncariae. Uncaria tomentosa plant is widely geographically distributed in Central and South American countries. The aim of this review was to focus on pharmacology, toxicology, precautions, and dosage of Cortex Uncariae. The indole alkaloids such as speciophylline, mitraphylline, pteropodine, uncarine F, and isomitraphylline, as well as tetracyclic alkaloids oxindoles such as isorhynchophylline and rhynchophylline are the major Cortex Uncariae chemical constituents. There are many medical applications of Cortex Uncariae, such as immunostimulant agents, increases the white blood cells and immunity, treatment of gastrointestinal ulcers, rheumatism, arthritis, viral infection, urinary tract infections, fever, asthma, abscesses, high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and high total cholesterol. Pharmacology of Cortex Uncariae includes experimental pharmacology and clinical pharmacology. Experimental pharmacology contains anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, neuroprotection, antitumor, immune-stimulating, and anti-obesity activities, while clinical pharmacology contains immune-stimulating activity. No acute or chronic toxicity was recorded after Cortex Uncariae water extract administration. Cortex Uncariae extract did not accompany loss of food intake, body or organ weight decrease, and no histopathological changes were recorded in the main body organs such as kidney, liver, spleen, and heart after Cortex Uncariae intake. Cortex Uncariae must store in a closely black container to avoid heat and light. In conclusion, Cortex Uncariae had anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and neuroprotection, antitumor, immune-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity activities without acute or chronic toxicity.