Estudios sobre la «Uña de gato» (Uncaria tomentosa)

Uncaria derives from uncus {naif, or claw}, due to the spiny thorns of this plant. From the family of Rubiaceae, Cat' s claw is a enormous vine of more than 19 meters long, that grows in Peru and other pantropical zones of America. There were found 3 species. Uncaria tomentosa contains an alkaloidal fraction with rynchophyllin, lsorinchophillin, Hirsutein, Mitraphyllin, among others. Contains also chinovic acid glucosides, polyoxy genated triterpenes and a steroidal fraction. There were interesting studies about the virucidal, antimutagenic and antiinflammatory effects of cot's claw preparations in several diseases, like gostric ulcer