(Fabaceae-Papilionoideae) Derris scandens (Roxb.)Benth.

Local name(s): ເຄືອ ອ້ອຍ ສາມ ສວນ (kheua oy sam suan)

Medicinal use(s): women’s tonic, treatment of coughs.

Part(s) used: liana (stem)

Field characters: Liana, stems twining and forming ropes, flowers greenish white, profuse, in spreading, loose terminal paniculate clusters. Masticated stem produces sweet sensation.

Localities:

  • Xieng Khoang Province, Kham District, Kham Medicinal Biodiversity Preserve, 15 km from Kham town. Ba Tha village, northern edge of MBP.

  • Luang Prabang Province, Pak Ou District, Biodiversity Preserve above Samsanouk village.

Habitats:

  • Broadleaved evergreen submontane forest. Edge of forest along road.

  • Subtropical monsoon forest on steep slope, ascending to the base of limestone mountain that rises precipitously to a peak of ~ 1000 m asl. Greater part of vegetation cover was leafless at the time of collection.

Altitude: 390 - 1440 m asl

Collector(s): D.D. Soejarto, K. Sydara, M. Xayvue

Collection numbers: DDS 14977, DDS 15432

Collection date: May 16, 2014, February 10, 2020

Additional information:

Voucher specimens are in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA under accession no. 2313851, 2330002.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description:

Plants of the World online Flora of China Vol. 10 Page 2, 166

Useful references:

Chaichamnong, N. et al. Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors from Derris scandens. Planta Med. 2018;84(15):1134-1140.
Madhiri, R. & Panda, J. A review on phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth. Innorig. Internat. J. Sci. 2018; 5(3):1-4.
Puttarack, P. et al. Efficacy and safety of Derris scandens (Roxb.) Benth. for musculoskeletal pain treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.J. Ethnopharmacol. 2016; 194:316-323.
Sriklung, K. et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of Lupalbigenin from Derris scandens in RAW 264.7 cells. 4th International Conference and Exhibition on Natural Products Medicinal Plants & Marine Drugs June 11-12, 2018, Rome, Italy. Nat. Prod. Chem. Research 2018; vol. 6, online.