The genus Uncaria (Rubiaceae) comprises 34 species worldwide
with 11 of them endemic to China.1 The dried hooks of some
Uncaria species have been used as the well-known traditional
Chinese medicine “Gou-teng” to relieve hypertension, epilepsy,
preeclampsia, and associated symptoms such as headaches and
dizziness.2 These activities have been linked to the presence of
oxindole alkaloids.
The genus Uncaria (Rubiaceae) comprises 34 species worldwide
with 11 of them endemic to China.