Ampelocissus (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Ampelocissus Planchon

Protologue: Vigne amér. 8: 371 (1884).

Family: Vitaceae

Chromosome number: x= 20

Ampelocissus consists of about 100 species and occurs in all tropical regions. Tropical Africa and Asia are richest in species. At least several dozens of species have been recorded for Malesia, and about 8 for Vietnam.

Some Ampelocissus species are used in traditional medicine in Peninsular Malaysia and Vietnam, mainly in decoctions of the roots or leaves which are used externally in poultices to treat wounds, oedema, orchitis, rheumatism, lumbago, and during childbirth. Sometimes a root or leaf decoction is used internally, e.g. to treat venereal diseases or cholera.

Some other Ampelocissus species are used in traditional medicine in India: the sliced and dried tuberous rootstocks of A. araneosa (Dalz. & Gibson) Planchon possess astringent and cooling properties; the root juice of A. indica (L.) Planchon (synonym: A. arnottiana (Wight & Arnott) Planchon), mixed with coconut oil, is employed as a depurative, aperient and diuretic, and to treat eye diseases and ulcers; the juice of tender leaves of A. latifolia (Roxb.) Planchon is used to treat toothache and ulcers, whereas a decoction of the roots is taken against chronic dysentery, and the roots and bark of A. tomentosa (Heyne ex Roth) Planchon are used to treat swellings and haemorrhoids. In China, the tuberous rootstocks of A. artemisiaefolia Planchon are applied externally to sores, wounds, burns and fractures.

Very little is known about the phytochemistry and biological activities of Ampelocissus . Ellagic acid, kaempferol and myrcetin have been isolated from A. cinnamomea leaves. The flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin and several phenolic acids have been identified in leaves of some Indian species ( A. latifolia and A. rugosa (Wallich) Planchon); however, proanthocyanidins, which are often present in other Vitaceae , were lacking in the leaves. Poultices made from the leaves or roots seem to act as slight irritants, promoting the local blood flow and thus accelerating healing.

Perennial climbing herbs or lianas, sometimes erect shrubs, with tuberous rootstock, climbing by tendrils on the peduncles. Leaves alternate, simple and entire to more or less deeply lobed or digitately 3-11-foliolate, margin shallowly serrate or entire; stipules triangular, inconspicuous, caducous. Inflorescence consisting of cymes or heads forming a lax to condensed leaf-opposed panicle. Flowers usually bisexual, 4-5-merous; calyx cup-shaped, more or less distinctly lobed; petals free, spreading; stamens inserted on the receptacle, opposite the petals; disk adnate to and entirely surrounding the ovary, 5-10-ridged; ovary superior, 2-locular, style short, conical, stigma minute. Fruit a fleshy berry, 2-4-seeded. Seeds elliptical, flattened, with marked longitudinal keel or ridge on one side and a median furrow or pit on the other side.

Ampelocissus is often difficult to distinguish from other Vitaceae genera. It is characterized by paniculate inflorescences bearing a tendril and by a disk adnate to the ovary. However, authors mention different characters as being characteristic, depending on the region.

Ampelocissus species are climbers in lowland forest, and can be locally common. They are often found at forest edges or in gaps in the forest, where they may cover the trees completely.

The Ampelocissus species treated here are common, at least locally, and do not seem to be under threat of genetic erosion.

Too little is known about the properties and phytochemistry of Ampelocissus species to judge their potential as medicinal plants. Research could be worthwhile, as the related grape ( Vitis vinifera L.) has interesting pharmacological activities (particularly the procyanidins present in the seeds) such as vascular protective activity. Ampelocissus is, like other genera in Vitaceae , in urgent need of a taxonomic revision.

121, 182, 943.

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Nguyen Huu Hien