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Ancistrocladus is a genus of woody lianas in the monotypic family Ancistrocladaceae. The branches climb by twining other stems or by scrambling with hooked tips. They are found in the tropics of the Old World.
The species of Ancistrocladus are native to tropical Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
Scientific interest in this genus has grown considerably because the canopy liana Ancistrocladus korupensis is considered a potential anti-AIDS source by the National Cancer Institute because of its highly effective mode of action against HIV. This plant was discovered in Cameroon and subsequently recognized as a species new to science. Its ingredient michellamine B, an acetogenic napthyl isoquinoline alkaloid, contained in mature leaves, is the active principle. Also, korupensamine E is a new antimalarial drug extracted from the same plant.
Kardal · Ancistrocladus korupensis · Ancistrocladus letestui · Ancistrocladus tectorius
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Ancistrocladus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
