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Aristolochia

(Genus)

Overview

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Aristolochia is a large plant genus with over 500 species. Collectively known as birthworts, pipevines or Dutchman's pipes, they are the namesake of the family (Aristolochiaceae). They are widespread and occur in the most diverse climates. Some species, like A. utriformis and A. westlandii, are threatened with extinction.

Isotrema is usually included here, but might be a valid genus. If so, it contains those species with a three-lobed calyx.

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Calico Flower (A. littoralis): habit

Aristolochia is a genus of evergreen and deciduous woody vines and herbaceous pere nnials. The smooth stem is erect or somewhat twining. The simple leaves are alternate and cordate, membranous, growing on leaf stalks. There are no stipules.

The flowers grow in the leaf axils. They are inflated and globose at the base, continuing as a long perianth tube, ending in a tongue-shaped, brightly colored lobe. There is no corolla. The calyx is one to three whorled, and three to six toothed. The sepals are united (gamosepalous). There are six to 40 stamens in one whorl. They are united with the style, forming a gynostemium. The ovary is inferior and is four to six locular.

These flowers have a specialized pollination mechanism. The plants are aromatic and their strong scent[2] attracts insects. The inner part of the perianth tube is covered with hairs, acting as a fly-trap. These hairs then wither to release the fly, covered with pollen.

The fruit is dehiscent capsule with many endospermic seeds.

The comm on names "Dutchman's Pipe" and "Pipevine" (e.g. Common Pipevine, A. durior) are an allusion to old-fashioned meerschaum pipes at one time common in the Netherlands and Northern Germany. "Birthwort" (e.g. European Birthwort, A. clematitis) refers to these species' flower shape, resembling a birth canal. Some reference books[3][4] state that the scientific name Aristolochia was developed from Ancient Greek aristos (???st??) "best" + locheia (???e?a), "childbirth" or "childbed".

Aristolochic acid, the main toxin of pipevines

Medicinal us e and toxicity

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The species A. clematitis was highly regarded as a medicinal plant since the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and on to until the Early Modern era; it also plays a minor role in traditional Chinese medicine. Due to its resemblance to the uterus, the doctrine of signatures held that "birthwort" was useful in childbirth. A preparation was given to women in labor to expel the placenta, as noted by the herbalist Dioscurides in the first century AD. Despite its presence in ancient medicine, Aristolochia is known to contain the lethal toxin aristolochic acid.

Aristolochia has been shown to be both a potent carcinogen and kidney toxin. Herbal compounds containing Aristolochia are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.[5] Epidemiological and laboratory studies have identifie d Aristolochia to be a dangerous kidney toxin; Aristolochia has been shown associated with more than 100 cases of kidney failure.[6] Furthermore, it appears as if contamination of grain with European Birthwort (A. clematitis) is a cause of Balkan nephropathy, a severe renal disease occurring in parts of southeast Europe.[7]

In July 1999, two cases of nephropathy associated with the use of Chinese botanical preparations were reported in the United Kingdom[citation needed]. These preparations were shown to contain aristolochic acid. Biopsy samples showed extensive loss of cortical tubules with interstitial fibrosis. In 1993, a series of end-stage renal disease cases had been reported[8][9] from Belgium associated with a weight loss treatment, where Stephania tetrandra in a herbal preparation was suspected of being substituted with Aristolochia fangchi.[10][11] More than 105 patients were identified with nephropathy following the ingestion of this preparation from the same clinic from 1990-1992. Many required renal transplantation or dialysis. Subsequent follow up of these patients has shown[citation needed] they are at an increased risk of urological cancer.

Note that in TCM neither plant is used for prolonged weight loss treatments. Therefore, the term "Chinese-herb nephropathy" that was coined by Nortier et al. (N Engl J M ed 2000; 342:1686-1692) is inaccurate. It gives the false impression that TCM promotes the use of such a herb, when in fact the Aristolochia was introduced into TCM formulations by subterfuge or error, and without the knowledge of TCM practitioners. See also Name confusion

Despite the toxic properties of aristolochic acid, naturopaths claim that a decoction of birthwort stimulates the production and increases the activity of leukocytes (white blood cells), or that pipevines contain a disinfectant which assists in wound healing. Also, Aristolochia bracteolata is colloquially known as "Worm Killer" due to supposed antihelminthic activity.

Aristolochia has also been used as a reptile repellent. A. serpentaria (Virginia Snakeroot) is thus named because the root was used to treat snakebite, as "so offensive to these reptiles, that they not only avoid the places where it grows, but even flee from the traveler who carries a piece of it in his hand".[12] A. pfeiferi, A. rugosa and A. trilobata are also used in folk medicine to cure snakebites. Aristolochic acid does indeed appear to bind and deactivate the Phospholipase A2 of certain snake venoms[verification needed][citation needed].

Aristolochia didyma, or "yawar panga" by its local name, is traditionally used in South America as a powerful purgative. It is sometimes taken to purify the body a few days before an Ayahuasca session.

Ornamental Aristolochia ringens

Garden history

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Due to their spectacular flowers, several species are used as ornamental plants., notably the hardy A. durior of eastern North America, which was one of John Bartram's many introductions to British gardens; in 1761 Bartram sent seeds he had collected in the Ohio River Valley to Peter Collinson in London, and Collinson gave them to the nurseryman James Gordon at Mile End to raise. The vine was soon adopted for creating for arbors "a canopy impenetrable to the rays of the sun, or moderate rain," as Dr John Sims noted in The Botanical Magazine, 1801.[13]

Rajah Brooke Birdwing: its caterpillars f eed on Aristolochia foveolata

Swallowtail butterflies

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Many species of Aristolochia are food for larvae of Lepidoptera, namely swallowtail butterflies. These become unpalatable to most predators by eating the plants. Lepidoptera feeding on pipevines include:

Choreutidae

Papilionidae

In Australia the invasive Aristolochia littoralis is fatal to the caterpillars of Ornithoptera euphorion and O. richmondia and threatens to displace their proper host, A. tagala.

Selected species

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Formerly placed here

See also

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  • Nepenthes aristolochioides, a carnivorous plant with pitchers resembling Aristolochia flowers
  • Opodeldoc

Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Genus: Aristolochia L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009-01-30. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?970. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
  2. ^ "sometimes with a very disagreeable odour" remarks the Royal Horticultural Society, Dictionary of Gardening.
  3. ^ Jepson Manual: Aristolochia
  4. ^ Missouri Botanical Garden
  5. ^ ACS (2006)
  6. ^ J.P. Cosyns, "Aristolochic acid and 'Chinese herbs nephropathy': a review of the evidence to date."
  7. ^ Grollman et al. (2007)
  8. ^ Vanherweghem et al. (1993)
  9. ^ Depierreux et al. (1994)
  10. ^ Apparently due to a confusion between han fang ji (???, "Chinese fang ji" - S. tetrandra) and guan fang ji (???, "Broad fang ji" - A. fanchi ).
  11. ^ Stiborova et al. (1999)
  12. ^ A.B. Freeman-Mitford, The Bamboo Garden (1896) quoted in Alice M. Coats, Garden Shrubs and Their Histories (1964) 1992, s.v. "Aristolochia".
  13. ^ Quoted in Coats (1964) 1992.
  14. ^ a b "GRIN Species Records of Aristolochia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?970. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
  15. ^ "Aristolochia". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=18328. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
>Aristolochia is a large plant genus with over 500 species. Collectively known as birthworts, pipevines or Dutchman's pipes, they are the namesake of the family (Aristolochiaceae). They are widespread and occur in the most diverse climates. Some species, like A. utriformis and A. westlandii, are threatened with extinction.

Isotrema is usually included here, but might be a valid genus. If so, it contains those species with a three-lobed calyx.

[ Back to top ]
Calico Flower (A. littoralis): habit

Aristolochia is a genus of evergreen and deciduous woody vines and herbaceous perennials. The smooth stem is erect or somewhat twining. The simple leaves are alternate and cordate, membranous, growing on leaf stalks. There are no stipules.

The flowers grow in the leaf axils. They are inflated and globose at the base, continuing as a long perianth tube, ending in a tongue-shaped, brightly colored lobe. There is no corolla. The calyx is one to three whorled, and three to six toothed. The sepals are united (gamosepalous). There are six to 40 stamens in one whorl. They are united with the style, forming a gynostemium. The ovary is inferior and is f our to six locular.

These flowers have a specialized pollination mechanism. The plants are aromatic and their strong scent[2] attracts insects. The inner part of the perianth tube is covered with hairs, acting as a fly-trap. These hairs then wither to release the fly, covered with pollen.

The fruit is dehiscent capsule with many endospermic seeds.

The common names "Dutchman's Pipe" and "Pipevine" (e.g. Common Pipevine, A. durior) are an allusion to old-fashioned meerschaum pipes at one time common in the Netherlands and Northern Germany. "Birthwort" (e.g. European Birthwort, A. clematitis) refers to these species' flower shape, resembling a birth canal. Some reference books[3][4] state that the scientific name Aristolochia was developed from Ancient Greek aristos (???st??) "best" + locheia (???e?a), "childbirth" or "childbed".

Aristolochic acid, the main toxin of pipevines

Medicinal use and toxicity

[ Back to top ]

The species A. clematitis was highly regarded as a medicinal plant since the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, and on to until the Early Modern era; it also plays a minor role in traditional Chinese medicine. Due to its resemblance to the uterus, the doctrine of signatures held that "birthwort" was useful in childbirth. A preparation was given to women in labor to expel the placenta, as noted by the herbalist Dioscurides in the first century AD. Despite its presence in anc ient medicine, Aristolochia is known to contain the lethal toxin aristolochic acid.

Aristolochia has been shown to be both a potent carcinogen and kidney toxin. Herbal compounds containing Aristolochia are classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.[5] Epidemiological and laboratory studies have identified Aristolochia to be a dangerous kidney toxin; Aristolochia has been shown associated with more than 100 cases of kidney failure.[6] Furthermore, it appears as if contamination of grain with European Birthwort (A. clematitis) is a cause of Balkan nephropathy, a severe renal disease occurring in parts of southeast Europe.[7]

In July 1999, two cases of nephropathy associated with the use of Chinese botan ical preparations were reported in the United Kingdom[citation needed]. These preparations were shown to contain aristolochic acid. Biopsy samples showed extensive loss of cortical tubules with interstitial fibrosis. In 1993, a series of end-stage renal disease cases had been reported[8][9] from Belgium associated with a weight loss treatment, where Stephania tetrandra in a herbal preparation was suspected of being substituted with Aristolochia fangchi.[10][11] More than 105 patients were identified with nephropathy following the ingestion of this preparation from the same clinic from 1990-1992. Many required renal transplantation or dialysis. Subsequent follow up of these patients has shown[citation needed] they are at an increased risk of urological cancer.

Note that in TCM neither plant is used for prolonged weight loss treatments. Therefore, the term "Chinese-herb nephropathy" that was coined by Nortier et al. (N Engl J Med 2000; 342:1686-1692) is inaccurate. It gives the false impression that TCM promotes the use of such a herb, when in fact the Aristolochia was introduced into TCM formulations by subterfuge or error, and without the knowledge of TCM practitioners. See also Name confusion

Despite the toxic properties of aristolochic acid, naturopaths claim that a decoction of birthwort stimulates the production and increases the activity of leukocytes (white blood cells), or that pipevines contain a disinfectant which assists in wound healing. Also, Aristolochia bracteola ta is colloquially known as "Worm Killer" due to supposed antihelminthic activity.

Aristolochia has also been used as a reptile repellent. A. serpentaria (Virginia Snakeroot) is thus named because the root was used to treat snakebite, as "so offensive to these reptiles, that they not only avoid the places where it grows, but even flee from the traveler who carries a piece of it in his hand".[12] A. pfeiferi, A. rugosa and A. trilobata are also used in folk medicine to cure snakebites. Aristolochic acid does indeed appear to bind and deactivate the Phospholipase A2 of certain snake venoms[verification needed][citation needed].

Aristolochia didyma, or "yawar panga" by its local name, is traditionally used in South America as a powerful purgative. It is sometimes taken to purify the body a few days before an Ayahuasca session.

Ornamental Aristolochia ringens

Garden history

[ Back to top ]

Due to their spectacular flowers, several species are used as ornamental plants., notably the hardy A. durior of eastern North America, which was one of John Bartram's many introductions to British gardens; in 1761 Bartram sent seeds he had collected in the Ohio River Valley to Peter Collinson in London, and Collinson gave them to the nurseryman James Gordon at Mile End to raise. The vine was soon adopted for creating for arbors "a canopy impenetrable to the rays of the sun, or moderate rain," as Dr John Sims noted in The Botanical Magazine, 1801.[13]

Rajah Brooke Birdwing: its caterpillars feed on Aristolochia foveolata

Swallowtail butterflies

[ Back to top ]

Many species of Aristolochia are food for larvae of Lepidoptera, namely swallowtail butterflies. These become unpalatable to most predators by eating the plants. Lepidoptera feeding on pipevines include:

Choreutidae

Papilionidae

In Australia the invasive Aristoloc hia littoralis is fatal to the caterpillars of Ornithoptera euphorion and O. richmondia and threatens to displace their proper host, A. tagala.

Selected species

[ Back to top ]

Formerly placed here

See also

[ Back to top ]

Footnotes

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  1. ^ "Genus: Aristolochia L.". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2009-01-30. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?970. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
  2. ^ "sometimes with a very disagreeable odour" remarks the Royal Horticultural Society, Dictionary of Gardening.
  3. ^ Jepson Manual: Aristolochia
  4. ^ Missouri Botanical Garden
  5. ^ ACS (2006)
  6. ^ J.P. Cosyns, "Aristolochic acid and 'Chinese herbs nephropathy': a review of the evidence to date."
  7. ^ Groll man et al. (2007)
  8. ^ Vanherweghem et al. (1993)
  9. ^ Depierreux et al. (1994)
  10. ^ Apparently due to a confusion between han fang ji (???, "Chinese fang ji" - S. tetrandra) and guan fang ji (???, "Broad fang ji" - A. fanchi).
  11. ^ Stiborova et al. (1999)
  12. ^ A.B. Freeman-Mitford, The Bamboo Garden (1896) quoted in Alice M. Coats, Garden Shrubs and Their Histories (1964) 1992, s.v. "Aristolochia".
  13. ^ Quoted in Coats (1964) 1992.
  14. ^ a b "GRIN Species Records of Aristolochia". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?970. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 
  15. ^ "Aristolochia". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=18328. Retrieved 2011-01-08. 

References

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External links

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Taxonomy

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The Genus Aristolochia is further organized into finer groupings including:

References

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External links

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ Vandaveer (2002)
  2. ^ ACS (2006)
  3. ^ Apparently due to a confusion between han fang ji (漢防己, "Chinese fang ji" - S. tetrandra) and guan fang ji (廣防己, "Broad fang ji" - A. fanchi).
  4. ^ Grollman et al. (2007)

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 14:03:01