Article: Uncaria tomentosa

?Uncaria tomentosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Gentianales Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Uncaria Species: U. tomentosa
Binomial name
Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Schult.) DC.

Uncaria tomentosa (Cat's Claw or Uña de Gato) is a flowering plant in the family Rubiaceae, native to Central and South America from Guatemala south to Peru, occurring in tropical rainforests.

It is a liana growing to 30 m tall, climbing by means of hooked thorns (the "cat's claws" of the common name) on the stems at the base of the leaves. The leaves are in opposite pairs or whorls of three, simple, with a smooth margin.

Uses

It has been used for a variety of purposes, and was first used by the natives of Peru over 2,000 years ago.

It is used in nootropic drugs, as well as in anti-cancer and anti-AIDS medicines. It contains several alkaloids that are responsible for its overall medical effect.

Some cultures refer to the plant as the "Sacred Herb of the Rain Forest".

IN www.microbiologyprocedure.com ( http://www.microbiologyprocedure.com/viral-diseases-of-human/cats-claw-possible-cure-for-AIDS.htm)

Cat's Claw - Possible Cure For AIDS - Recently a climbing plant, Uncaria tomentosa (Rubiaceae) has been claimed to be the elusive cure for this deadly scourage. The plant is found in the jungles of Amazon, South America and better known as eats claw by indigenous people as the plant is covered with hairy claw like spines. This plant is credited with magical powers. Its antiinflammatory propertIes are already known and is now being hailed as the new miracle drug that could cure cancer and even AIDS in 21st century.

Cat's claw has been used successfully to treat inflammations associated with gastrities and arthritis. It is now known to strengthen the body's immunological system. A Peruvian, Manual Moreyra claimed to have cured a malignant tumour in his head by the plant preparation. Dr. Roberto Inchastegui, President of the Peruvian Committee for Sexually Transmitted Diseases and AIDS in the Amazon city of Iquitos, 'claims to have cured' seven AIDS patients with a preparation made from eat's claw and other jungle plants. Several biologists and consultants at hospitals in Peru accept that this plant has antiinflammatory effects and is a powerful immunological stimulant. For instance, Dr. RumbertoMuro at the Lima Naval Hospital confirmed that several patients who were seriously ill with full blown AIDS are now merely carriers of the HIV .virus, after undergoing treatment with the plant Dr. Armando Luza of the naval hospital in Peru has successfully treated a patient.

According to a neurosurgeon, Fernando Cabieses, an expert on medicinal plants, tests conducted in Europe have shown that eats claw contain substances that inhibit growth of cancerous cells. Researchers at the Innsbruck University Pharmacological Institute in Austria discovered that the plant contains six alkaloids with powerful therapeutic effects. In some parts of Central Europe the plant is being used for patients suffering from allergies, cancer and AIDS.

The plant has already become a highly profitable item marketed and exported under 30 different brand names. Oscar Schulers family has been traditionally associated with this wonder drug plant. It is preferred to sell it powdered in capsules. Cat's claw comes in many shapes and forms (powder packed in small bags for infusions, in drops, tablets and capsules). It has become a lucrative business in the United States and Europit, and Peru may not even be asked to pay for a license to sell its own Uncaria. In 1986, the plants oxindalic alkaloids were patented in the U.S.A. by a group of European scientists.

According to some, there may develop Intellectual Property Rights problems and some experts insist that the American patent is only valid in the U.S.A. because it was never registered in Peru or in any other country. It seems that the humble eats claw could, in future, become a source of discord between nations, as well as a beacon of hope for millions of patients around the world.