Family

Menispermaceae

Genus

Stephania

Common Name

Fen Fang Ji

Plant Figure

Description

Stephania tetrandra is a herbaceous perennial vine of the Menispermaceae family native to China and Taiwan. The roots of S. tetrandra are used as traditional Chinese medicine. The roots of S. tetrandra, which have been recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, are widely used to treat hypertension, angina pectoris, fibrosis, and tumors. This species is rich in IQAs, of which tetrandrine and fangchinoline are major constituents. These IQAs possess significant antimicrobial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities.