Abuta

What Is Abuta?

Abuta is commonly known as the midwives herb.

This is because one of the most common uses of the plant is during pregnancy to keep symptoms like cramping and high blood pressure down.

It’s also popular with women who aren’t pregnant for regulating dysfunctional menstrual cycles and reducing the pain from cramping during menstruation.

Abuta grows in Southeast Asia, as well as parts of North America, and South America, but most of its traditional uses were documented from the perspective of Ayurvedic medicine in India. Here, it’s known as Patha.

Its high antioxidant content makes it useful as a general tonic and is useful as a hepatoprotective agent (liver protecting), and pain reliever.

The uses of abuta are many and depending on which part of the world you’re in, the uses may vary slightly but maintain the same general uses.

Most of the research on this herb has been on the neurological system, with only a small amount of research having been done on its most common traditional uses.

What Is Abuta Used For?

Abuta is mainly used during pregnancy to increase the chances of going full term. It’s also used during menstruation to ease pain and cramping.

Traditional Uses

Western Herbal Medicine

Abuta is also used to aid poor digestion, drowsiness after meals, and constipation ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}.

North American herbal practitioners use abuta for many of the same conditions as well as for testicular inflammation, and minor kidney problems ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, the root is used as medicine. It’s referred to as Xi Sheng Teng.

Ayurvedic Medicine

In India, the herb is called langhu patha. Its ethnomedical uses in this area include urinary problems, skin problems, cancer, bacterial infection, malaria, as a diuretic, convulsions ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}.

One tribal use of abuta in India is to prevent pregnancy ^{36,37,38Reference 36Bullough et al. · 1982Herbal medicines used by traditional birth attendants in Malawi — ethnobotanical reportReference 37Tiwari et al. · 1982Folklore information from Assam for family planning and birth control — ethnobotanical surveyReference 38Feng et al. · 1962In vitroPharmacological screening of some West Indian medicinal plants — animal/in vitro screening}. It’s commonly included in Ayurvedic formulas intended for conditions like rheumatism, ulcers, and fevers ^{8Reference 8Bafna et al. · 2010In vitroAntioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Cissampelos pareira Linn — in vitro and in vivo (mice)View study →}.

Traditional South American Medicine

Indigenous cultures throughout the Amazon have used virtually every part of this plant as medicine. It has been used for a few thousand years for a wide range of illnesses, and conditions and is still a popular choice in herbal medicine today. ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}.

Abuta is commonly referred to as the midwives herb throughout South America because of its long history, and high value for all types of women’s ailments. It has been used traditionally to prevent miscarriage, and stop uterine hemorrhages after childbirth. In the Amazon, it’s still fairly common to find midwives carrying this herb for menstrual cramps and both pre, and postnatal pains, excessive menstrual bleeding, and uterine hemorrhaging ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}.

Some Tribe-Specific Uses of Abuta:

• In Guyana, Palikur Indians use abuta leaves in the form of a poultice to reduce pain topically.
• The Wayãpi Indians make a decoction of the leaf and stem as an oral analgesic.
• Kettchwa tribes of Ecuador use a decoction of the leaves to treat eye infections and snakebites.
• Creoles in Guyana soak the leaves, bark, and roots in rum and use it as an aphrodisiac.
• Other Indigenous tribes throughout Peru use the seeds for snakebites, fevers, STIs, internal/external bleeding, as a diuretic, rheumatism, irregular heartbeat, and as an expectorant. ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}.

More modern day uses in Brazil includes its use as a general tonic, diuretic, reduce fevers, menstrual cramps, painful menstruation, excessive bleeding, uterine hemorrhages, fibroid tumors, prenatal and postnatal pain, colic, constipation, digestive difficulty, dyspepsia and to reduce pain. ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}.

In Mexico, Abuta is commonly used for very similar conditions including muscle inflammation, snakebite, rheumatism, diarrhea, dysentery, and menstrual problems ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}.

Worldwide Traditional Uses

• Gastrointestinal complaints such as diarrhea, dysentery, ulcers, colic, intestinal worms and digestive complaints, drowsiness after meals, constipation,
• Urogenital problems such as menstrual problems, venereal diseases, infertility, uterine bleeding, and threatening miscarriage, pre, and postnatal pains, excessive menstrual bleeding, and uterine hemorrhaging, fibroid tumors
• Cancer
• Topically to reduce pain and treat sores, boils, scabies, and childhood eczema.
• As an oral analgesic in the form of a decoction
• Infections such as eye infections, malaria, bacterial infections
• Snakebites
• As an aphrodisiac
• Fevers
• internal/external bleeding
• as a diuretic
• Rheumatism
• Muscle inflammation
• irregular heartbeat
• as an expectorant for coughs and phlegm
• Testicular inflammation
• Minor kidney problems

Botanical Information

Abuta is a woody rainforest vine found throughout the Amazon rainforest in Colombia, Peru, Brazil, and Ecuador. It has long (up to 30 cm) leaves and produces inedible, grape-sized berries.

The vine itself is brownish in color and has a waxy coating. Its flowers are greenish-yellow in color,

The leaves are palate or orbicular-reniform, ovate-sub-reniform with truncate cordate base, glabrous, or hairy ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}.

Cissampelos contains about 30-40 species, which are distributed throughout the tropics worldwide.

Confusion Around the Name Abuta

Just like many other botanicals, the common name “abuta” brings with it a lot of confusion.

The common name Abuta is actually shared by another botanical in the region with the botanical name Abuta grandiflora.

This plant is also medicinal but has a whole different set of uses and benefits and should not be substituted for Cissampelos pareira.

Other names for this same herb also bring some confusion. In India, the common name for Cissampelos pareira is Patha.

The common name patha is used to describe several plants including Cissampelos pareira, Cyclea peltata, and Stephania japonica ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}.

Habitat, Ecology & Distribution

Abuta is found growing throughout the Amazon rainforest and is also commonly cultivated in gardens. It can also be found throughout the tropics and subtropics worldwide and is widely considered a weed in tropical climates.

Pharmacology & Research

Abuta (Cissampelos pareira) carries a substantial phytochemical literature but a shallow pharmacological one: roughly 75 PubMed-indexed studies, dominated by alkaloid chemistry and by single-study, single-lab animal experiments. Two ethnopharmacology reviews anchor the field ^{1,2Reference 1Kanmani et al. · 2021ReviewCissampelos pareira L.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology — reviewView study →Reference 2Semwal et al. · 2014ReviewFrom arrow poison to herbal medicine — the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological significance of Cissampelos (Menispermaceae) — reviewView study →}, and the most complete efficacy dataset is a bioassay-guided dengue-antiviral programme that ran from cell assays into a mouse model ^{3Reference 3Sood et al. · 2015In vitroCissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse modelView study →}. There is no registered human clinical trial for any indication — every activity claim below rests on in vitro, in vivo rodent, or in silico work. A recurring caveat runs through all of it: activity is usually shown for a root or leaf extract, or for an isolated alkaloid concentrated far beyond what the whole plant supplies, so results do not transfer cleanly to the traditional decoction or tincture.

0. Evidence by indication

Support is an experimental score I’m building — a composite weighted by study type (human > animal > in vitro > review) and study volume. It’s a beta: a fast way to rank strength of evidence at a glance, not a validated metric, and I’ll keep honing the formula over time. Each indication name links down to its write-up.

Indication	Support	Rests on
Antiviral	███████░░░ 71%	Bioassay-guided dengue study, all 4 serotypes in vitro + AG129 mouse protection 3Reference 3Sood et al. · 2015In vitroCissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse modelView study →; in vitro anti-SARS-CoV-2 4Reference 4Haider et al. · 2022In vitroAnti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of Cissampelos pareira L. identified by connectivity map-based analysis and in vitro studies — in vitro and in silicoView study →. No human data.
Anti-inflammatory	███████░░░ 66%	50% ethanolic root extract, dose-dependent across acute/subacute/chronic rat models, non-ulcerogenic 5Reference 5Amresh et al. · 2007AnimalEvaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Cissampelos pareira root in rats — animal model (rat)View study →.
Analgesic	██████░░░░ 64%	Root extract antinociceptive + antiarthritic in mice/rats, dose-dependent 6,7Reference 6Amresh et al. · 2007AnimalAntinociceptive and antiarthritic activity of Cissampelos pareira roots — animal model (mouse/rat)View study →Reference 7Dhamija et al. · 2016AnimalComparative antipyretic and analgesic activities of Cissampelos pareira Linn. and Cyclea peltata — animal model (rat)View study →.
Antioxidant	██████░░░░ 62%	Consistent DPPH/superoxide/lipid-peroxidation scavenging in vitro; berberine-containing alkaloid fraction 8,9Reference 8Bafna et al. · 2010In vitroAntioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Cissampelos pareira Linn — in vitro and in vivo (mice)View study →Reference 92025In vitroPhytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant and anticancer evaluation of stem and leaf extracts of Cissampelos pareira L. — in vitroView study →. Ex vivo only.
Hepatoprotective	██████░░░░ 60%	CCl₄ model, root extract restored AST/ALT/ALP and antioxidant enzymes in rats + HepG2 10Reference 102011In vitroIn vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of Cissampelos pareira against carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage — in vitro and animal model (rat)View study →. Single lab.
Antipyretic	██████░░░░ 57%	Fever reduction in yeast-pyrexia rats; intrinsic antipyretic action noted in the dengue study 3,7Reference 3Sood et al. · 2015In vitroCissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse modelView study →Reference 7Dhamija et al. · 2016AnimalComparative antipyretic and analgesic activities of Cissampelos pareira Linn. and Cyclea peltata — animal model (rat)View study →.
Anxiolytic & antidepressant	██████░░░░ 55%	Two independent leaf-extract studies, standard rodent behavioural batteries 11,12Reference 112021AnimalAnti-depressant, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Cissampelos pareira Linn. leaves — animal model (mice)View study →Reference 122013AnimalEffect of Cissampelos pareira leaves on anxiety-like behavior in experimental animals — animal model (rat)View study →.
Cardioprotective	█████░░░░░ 53%	Two rat models (isoproterenol; thyroxin hypertrophy), same group; tetrandrine’s known cardiac action 15,16Reference 152013AnimalEffect of Cissampelos pareira root extract on isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction — animal model (rat)View study →Reference 162016AnimalCissampelos pareira Linn. ameliorates thyroxin-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats — animal model (rat)View study →.
Immunomodulatory	█████░░░░░ 52%	Alkaloidal fraction modulates T/B-cell responses in mice — note it was immunosuppressive, dose-dependent 8Reference 8Bafna et al. · 2010In vitroAntioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Cissampelos pareira Linn — in vitro and in vivo (mice)View study →.
Anticancer	█████░░░░░ 50%	One in vivo mouse lymphoma model 17Reference 172014In vitroAnticancer activity of Cissampelos pareira against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites-bearing mice — in vitro and animal model (mice)View study →; otherwise cytotoxic IC₅₀s in cell lines and isolated alkaloids 18,19,20,21,22Reference 18Kupchan et al. · 1965In vitroCissampareine, new cytotoxic alkaloid from Cissampelos pareira; cytotoxicity of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids — in vitroView study →Reference 19Morita et al. · 1993In vitroStructures and solid-state tautomeric forms of two novel antileukemic tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids (pareirubrines) from Cissampelos pareira — in vitroView study →Reference 202021In vitroCytotoxic polyhydroxylated pregnane glycosides from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitroView study →Reference 212022In vitroCytotoxic polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitroView study →Reference 222015In vitroCytotoxic agents for KB and SiHa cells from the n-hexane fraction of Cissampelos pareira — in vitroView study →.
Antifertility	█████░░░░░ 48%	Leaf extract altered estrous cycle and gonadotropins, reduced litters in mice 23Reference 23Ganguly et al. · 2007AnimalAntifertility activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Cissampelos pareira in female albino mice — animal model (mice)View study →; ERα modulation in vitro 24Reference 242021In vitroTranscriptome analysis and connectivity mapping of Cissampelos pareira L. provides molecular links of ESR1 modulation to viral inhibition — in vitro and in silicoView study →.
Antidiarrheal	█████░░░░░ 46%	Castor-oil model, dose-dependent reduction in rodents 25Reference 252004AnimalEthnomedical value of Cissampelos pareira extract in experimentally induced diarrhoea — animal modelView study →. Single study.
Antiurolithic & diuretic	████░░░░░░ 44%	Paired rat studies (ethylene-glycol lithiasis; Lipschitz diuresis), one group 26,27Reference 262014AnimalEvaluation of antiurolithic activity of alcoholic extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira in albino rats — animal model (rat)View study →Reference 272014AnimalEvaluation of diuretic activity of alcoholic extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira in albino rats — animal model (rat)View study →.
Cognitive / neuroprotective	████░░░░░░ 42%	Memory protection shown only for a combination formula with Anethum graveolens 13Reference 13Thukham-mee et al. · 2012AnimalEvaluation of safety and protective effect of combined extract of Cissampelos pareira and Anethum graveolens (PM52) against age-related cognitive impairment — animal model (rat)View study →; AChE-inhibitor alkaloid isolated 14Reference 142024In vitroN-Methylneolitsine as a new and potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor of Cissampelos pareira Linn. aerial parts — in vitro (bioassay-guided isolation)View study →.
Antimalarial	███░░░░░░░ 34%	Molecular docking of bisbenzylisoquinolines 28Reference 282023Bisbenzylisoquinolines from Cissampelos pareira L. as antimalarial agents: molecular docking, pharmacokinetics and molecular dynamics — in silicoView study → + a mixed antiplasmodial screen 29Reference 292009In vitroAnti-plasmodial activity of the extracts of some Kenyan medicinal plants — in vitroView study →. Constituent-level, no whole-extract in vivo.

1. Antiviral

The strongest efficacy dataset abuta has. A bioassay-guided Indian programme showed that an alcoholic extract of C. pareira (Cipa) potently inhibited all four dengue serotypes in cell-based assays, cutting viral titres by roughly an order of magnitude and reducing NS1 secretion, then conferred statistically significant protection in the AG129 mouse model while down-regulating TNF-α — a cytokine tied to severe dengue ^{3Reference 3Sood et al. · 2015In vitroCissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse modelView study →}. The extract also showed intrinsic antipyretic activity and no adverse effect on platelet counts. Separately, connectivity-map screening plus in vitro assays flagged anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity for the same extract ^{4Reference 4Haider et al. · 2022In vitroAnti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of Cissampelos pareira L. identified by connectivity map-based analysis and in vitro studies — in vitro and in silicoView study →}, and transcriptomic work links its antiviral signal to tetrandrine-class alkaloids acting through estrogen-receptor-α modulation ^{24Reference 242021In vitroTranscriptome analysis and connectivity mapping of Cissampelos pareira L. provides molecular links of ESR1 modulation to viral inhibition — in vitro and in silicoView study →}.

Gap: All animal/cell-level; no human antiviral trial despite patents having been filed on the dengue application.

2. Anti-inflammatory

A well-constructed rat study tested a 50% ethanolic root extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) across acute, subacute and chronic models: carrageenan-induced paw edema was reduced ~60-64%, with dose-dependent protection also against histamine-, serotonin- and prostaglandin-E₂-induced edema, formaldehyde edema and cotton-pellet granuloma ^{5Reference 5Amresh et al. · 2007AnimalEvaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Cissampelos pareira root in rats — animal model (rat)View study →}. Critically, the extract produced no gastric lesions up to 1000 mg/kg — distinguishing it from NSAIDs. Newer chemistry supports the mechanism: polyhydroxylated pregnane and oleanane compounds from var. hirsuta inhibit NO release in LPS-stimulated macrophages ^{20,21Reference 202021In vitroCytotoxic polyhydroxylated pregnane glycosides from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitroView study →Reference 212022In vitroCytotoxic polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitroView study →}.

Gap: Single primary in vivo study for the whole extract; the anti-inflammatory constituents are not standardised, and much mechanistic data comes from a different botanical variety.

3. Analgesic

A 50% aqueous-ethanolic root extract produced significant, dose-dependent antinociception in mice — reducing acetic-acid writhing by ~52% at 400 mg/kg and roughly tripling hot-plate latency — and gave 71% protection against complete-Freund’s-adjuvant arthritis, approaching dexamethasone’s effect ^{6Reference 6Amresh et al. · 2007AnimalAntinociceptive and antiarthritic activity of Cissampelos pareira roots — animal model (mouse/rat)View study →}. A comparative study against Cyclea peltata confirmed analgesic activity for both the powder and ethanolic extract in radiant-heat and writhing models, with the powder form performing well ^{7Reference 7Dhamija et al. · 2016AnimalComparative antipyretic and analgesic activities of Cissampelos pareira Linn. and Cyclea peltata — animal model (rat)View study →}.

Gap: Rodent-only; the arthritis result is promising but unreplicated, and the effective doses are high.

4. Antioxidant

The alkaloidal fraction of the roots (containing ~0.18% berberine) showed strong scavenging of DPPH and superoxide radicals and inhibited iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat-liver homogenate ^{8Reference 8Bafna et al. · 2010In vitroAntioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Cissampelos pareira Linn — in vitro and in vivo (mice)View study →}. Recent work on stem and leaf extracts found high total phenolic (up to ~96 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid content with corresponding in vitro antioxidant capacity ^{9Reference 92025In vitroPhytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant and anticancer evaluation of stem and leaf extracts of Cissampelos pareira L. — in vitroView study →}, and antioxidant-enzyme restoration recurs as a secondary finding in the hepatoprotective and cardioprotective studies ^{10,16Reference 102011In vitroIn vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of Cissampelos pareira against carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage — in vitro and animal model (rat)View study →Reference 162016AnimalCissampelos pareira Linn. ameliorates thyroxin-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats — animal model (rat)View study →}.

Gap: Entirely in vitro/ex vivo; no demonstration that oral dosing raises antioxidant status in a living system for this herb specifically.

5. Hepatoprotective

Against carbon-tetrachloride injury, a hydroalcoholic root extract (100-400 mg/kg) significantly lowered elevated AST, ALT, ALP and bilirubin toward normal, reduced lipid peroxidation, and raised SOD, catalase, GST, GPx and GSH — with a parallel dose-dependent protection of freshly isolated rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells in vitro ^{10Reference 102011In vitroIn vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of Cissampelos pareira against carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage — in vitro and animal model (rat)View study →}. Effect size compared favourably to silymarin.

Gap: One study from one group; no chronic or fibrosis model, no human data.

6. Antipyretic

Antipyretic activity is one of abuta’s classical uses and shows up consistently in preclinical work: C. pareira powder produced moderate fever reduction in the Brewer’s-yeast pyrexia model in rats ^{7Reference 7Dhamija et al. · 2016AnimalComparative antipyretic and analgesic activities of Cissampelos pareira Linn. and Cyclea peltata — animal model (rat)View study →}, and the dengue-antiviral study independently noted intrinsic antipyretic action in Wistar rats, proposing synergy with paracetamol ^{3Reference 3Sood et al. · 2015In vitroCissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse modelView study →}.

Gap: Modest effect sizes, rodent-only; no comparison to standard antipyretic dosing in humans.

7. Anxiolytic & antidepressant

Two independent leaf-extract studies support central nervous activity. A hydroalcoholic extract (200-400 mg/kg) showed antidepressant effects (reduced immobility in despair-swim and tail-suspension tests), anxiolytic effects (elevated-plus-maze, hole-board) and skeletal-muscle relaxation, with no mortality to 2000 mg/kg ^{11Reference 112021AnimalAnti-depressant, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Cissampelos pareira Linn. leaves — animal model (mice)View study →}. A separate 70% hydroethanolic leaf extract confirmed anxiolytic activity across elevated-plus-maze, light-dark and forced-swim models, comparable to diazepam at 200-400 mg/kg ^{12Reference 122013AnimalEffect of Cissampelos pareira leaves on anxiety-like behavior in experimental animals — animal model (rat)View study →}.

Gap: Rodent behavioural models only; the muscle-relaxant finding is consistent with the plant’s curare-alkaloid chemistry and warrants a safety, not efficacy, reading.

8. Cardioprotective

Two rat studies from the same group show cardioprotection. Root extract (100-200 mg/kg) attenuated isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction, restoring calcineurin, LDH, nitric oxide and glutathione-system markers and improving histology ^{15Reference 152013AnimalEffect of Cissampelos pareira root extract on isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction — animal model (rat)View study →}, and separately ameliorated thyroxin-induced cardiac hypertrophy ^{16Reference 162016AnimalCissampelos pareira Linn. ameliorates thyroxin-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats — animal model (rat)View study →}. Mechanistically this is plausible: the constituent tetrandrine is a well-characterised calcium-channel-blocking cardiotonic and hypotensive agent.

Gap: Both models from one lab, unreplicated; the traditional “irregular heartbeat” use rests on the isolated alkaloid, not the whole herb.

9. Immunomodulatory

An alkaloidal fraction of the roots modulated both T-cell and B-cell responses in mice, but the direction matters: it was significantly immunosuppressive at lower doses (25-50 mg/kg), lowering humoral antibody titre and delayed-type hypersensitivity, with no effect at higher doses ^{8Reference 8Bafna et al. · 2010In vitroAntioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Cissampelos pareira Linn — in vitro and in vivo (mice)View study →}. This bidirectional, dose-sensitive profile is often described for the plant but is easy to overstate as simple “immune boosting.”

Gap: The effect is suppressive and dose-limited; no disease-model or human immunological endpoint.

10. Anticancer

Mostly cell-line cytotoxicity plus one in vivo model. A methanol extract showed cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ ~95 µg/mL) and extended lifespan 54-72% in Dalton’s-lymphoma-bearing mice ^{17Reference 172014In vitroAnticancer activity of Cissampelos pareira against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites-bearing mice — in vitro and animal model (mice)View study →}. The classical isolate cissampareine was cytotoxic against nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells ^{18Reference 18Kupchan et al. · 1965In vitroCissampareine, new cytotoxic alkaloid from Cissampelos pareira; cytotoxicity of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids — in vitroView study →}, and pareirubrine A showed antileukemic activity ^{19Reference 19Morita et al. · 1993In vitroStructures and solid-state tautomeric forms of two novel antileukemic tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids (pareirubrines) from Cissampelos pareira — in vitroView study →}; more recent var. hirsuta pregnane glycosides and oleanane triterpenoids reach low-µM IC₅₀s against several human lines ^{20,21Reference 202021In vitroCytotoxic polyhydroxylated pregnane glycosides from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitroView study →Reference 212022In vitroCytotoxic polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitroView study →}, and n-hexane-fraction alkaloids (hayatinine, cycleanine) are active against KB/SiHa cells ^{22Reference 222015In vitroCytotoxic agents for KB and SiHa cells from the n-hexane fraction of Cissampelos pareira — in vitroView study →}.

Gap: One in vivo study; most activity is at concentrations the whole plant cannot deliver, and the strongest cytotoxic compounds come from a different variety.

11. Antifertility

This is the pharmacological correlate of abuta’s “midwives herb” reputation — and it cuts against the “pregnancy-support” framing. A methanolic leaf extract given orally to female mice prolonged the estrous cycle (extended diestrus), altered LH, FSH, prolactin and estradiol, and significantly reduced litter numbers, with an oral LD₅₀ of 7.3 g/kg ^{23Reference 23Ganguly et al. · 2007AnimalAntifertility activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Cissampelos pareira in female albino mice — animal model (mice)View study →}. In vitro, extract constituents down-regulate estrogen-response signatures through ERα ^{24Reference 242021In vitroTranscriptome analysis and connectivity mapping of Cissampelos pareira L. provides molecular links of ESR1 modulation to viral inhibition — in vitro and in silicoView study →}, a coherent mechanism.

Gap: One rodent antifertility study; the tension with traditional anti-abortive/pregnancy use is unresolved and clinically important (see Safety).

12. Antidiarrheal

An ethanolic root extract (25-100 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced fecal output (29-60% inhibition) and intestinal fluid accumulation in the castor-oil model, cut gastrointestinal transit, and preferentially reduced luminal Na⁺ — while also lowering lipid peroxidation ^{25Reference 252004AnimalEthnomedical value of Cissampelos pareira extract in experimentally induced diarrhoea — animal modelView study →}. This maps directly onto the widespread traditional use for dysentery and diarrhea.

Gap: Single study, acute model only.

13. Antiurolithic & diuretic

Paired rat studies from one group: an alcoholic root extract (100-400 mg/kg) reduced urinary calcium and uric acid and limited crystal deposition in ethylene-glycol/ammonium-chloride-induced lithiasis ^{26Reference 262014AnimalEvaluation of antiurolithic activity of alcoholic extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira in albino rats — animal model (rat)View study →}, and produced dose-dependent diuresis with increased Na⁺/K⁺/Cl⁻ excretion by the Lipschitz method ^{27Reference 272014AnimalEvaluation of diuretic activity of alcoholic extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira in albino rats — animal model (rat)View study →}. Together they support the traditional diuretic and “kidney/stone” uses.

Gap: Same lab, unreplicated; short duration; the antilithic tag on the page rests entirely on these two papers.

14. Cognitive / neuroprotective

The headline memory study used PM52, a combined extract of C. pareira and Anethum graveolens, not abuta alone — it attenuated AF64A-induced memory loss and hippocampal neurodegeneration in rats via AChE suppression and reduced oxidative stress ^{13Reference 13Thukham-mee et al. · 2012AnimalEvaluation of safety and protective effect of combined extract of Cissampelos pareira and Anethum graveolens (PM52) against age-related cognitive impairment — animal model (rat)View study →}. Standalone support is mechanistic: bioassay-guided isolation from the aerial parts yielded N-methylneolitsine, a potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (IC₅₀ ~12 µg/mL) ^{14Reference 142024In vitroN-Methylneolitsine as a new and potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor of Cissampelos pareira Linn. aerial parts — in vitro (bioassay-guided isolation)View study →}.

Gap: The in vivo cognitive benefit is a two-herb formula, so the effect cannot be attributed to abuta; the standalone data is a single enzyme-inhibition result.

15. Antimalarial

Despite strong traditional antimalarial use, direct experimental support is weak. Molecular-docking and dynamics studies predict that bisbenzylisoquinolines such as hayatinine and curine bind Plasmodium targets (dihydrofolate reductase, cGMP-dependent kinase, prolyl-tRNA synthetase) ^{28Reference 282023Bisbenzylisoquinolines from Cissampelos pareira L. as antimalarial agents: molecular docking, pharmacokinetics and molecular dynamics — in silicoView study →}, and a Kenyan antiplasmodial screen tested the genus among many plants with mixed potency ^{29Reference 292009In vitroAnti-plasmodial activity of the extracts of some Kenyan medicinal plants — in vitroView study →}.

Gap: No whole-extract in vivo antimalarial study; the claim is essentially in silico plus constituent-level inference.

Mechanisms

Mechanism	Drives	Key compounds
Ca²⁺-channel blockade, cytotoxicity, TNF-α ↓, antiplasmodial target binding	cardioprotective, anticancer, antiviral, antimalarial	tetrandrine, curine, hayatinine, cissampareine
antileukemic cytotoxicity	anticancer	pareirubrine A, grandirubrine
acetylcholinesterase inhibition, antioxidant	cognitive / neuroprotective	magnoflorine, N-methylneolitsine
free-radical scavenging, antimicrobial	antioxidant, antidiarrheal	berberine
ROS scavenging, NF-κB / cytokine damping, antitrypanosomal	anti-inflammatory, antioxidant	cissampeloflavone, flavonoids

Clinical trials

No registered clinical trials were identified for Cissampelos pareira on ClinicalTrials.gov for any indication — the evidence base is entirely preclinical.

Completed	Planned	Terminated	Preclinical
0	0	0	~75

Last checked: July 2026.

Phytochemistry

Abuta contains a group of chemicals called isoquinoline alkaloids.

These alkaloids run through the genus Cissampelos and are mostly bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}. The most-studied member, tetrandrine, has received the most attention and carries pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and fever-reducing activity, along with significant anti-cancer effects useful against leukemia. The catch is that the therapeutic range found useful against cancer is far higher than the natural plant supplies, so it must be extracted and concentrated to reproduce those study results ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}. Tetrandrine has also been well studied as a cardiotonic and hypotensive agent through numerous pathways in the body ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}.

Berberine is also present — a common alkaloid shared with plants such as barberry and goldenseal — contributing antifungal, hypotensive and antimicrobial actions, and used for conditions including irregular heartbeat, Candida, diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}. The alkaloid cissampeline has been used as a skeletal muscle relaxant ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}, while pareirubrine A, a novel tropoloisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the plant, was reported to have antileukemic activity ^{19Reference 19Morita et al. · 1993In vitroStructures and solid-state tautomeric forms of two novel antileukemic tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids (pareirubrines) from Cissampelos pareira — in vitroView study →}.

Two constituents have been characterised more recently: the quaternary benzylisoquinoline magnocurarine ^{32Reference 322019In vitroBioactive isoquinoline alkaloids from Cissampelos pareira — in vitroView study →}, part of the plant’s curare-type alkaloid group, and cissampeloflavone, a chalcone-flavone dimer with antitrypanosomal activity ^{34Reference 342003In vitroCissampeloflavone, a chalcone-flavone dimer from Cissampelos pareira (antitrypanosomal) — in vitroView study →}.

Constituent Summary

Abuta’s profile is overwhelmingly alkaloidal; specific quantitative figures for individual alkaloids in C. pareira are largely unpublished, so most entries read No Data. Classes are collapsible — the alkaloids carry the activity ^{33Reference 33Samanta et al. · 2012Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysisView study →}.

Alkaloids

Grouped by class · 34 compoundsExpand all|Collapse all

GroupCompoundAmount

Bisbenzylisoquinoline11 compoundsno data

BisbenzylisoquinolineTetrandrineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineCissampareineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineHayatineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineHayatinineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineCurineNo data

Bisbenzylisoquinoline4-methylcurineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineBebeerineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineIsochondodendrineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineCycleanineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineInsularineNo data

BisbenzylisoquinolineDimethyltetrandriniumNo data

Isoquinoline8 compoundsno data

IsoquinolineBisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloidsNo data

IsoquinolineBerberineNo data

IsoquinolineCissampelineNo data

IsoquinolineCissamineNo data

IsoquinolineMenismineNo data

IsoquinolinePareirineNo data

IsoquinolineNorimeluteineNo data

IsoquinolineNor-ruffscineNo data

Tropoloisoquinoline5 compoundsno data

TropoloisoquinolinePareirubrine ANo data

TropoloisoquinolinePareirubrine alkaloidsNo data

TropoloisoquinolinePareitroponeNo data

TropoloisoquinolineGrandirubrineNo data

TropoloisoquinolineIsomerubrineNo data

Aporphine7 compoundsno data

AporphineMagnoflorineNo data

AporphineBulbocapnineNo data

AporphineCorytuberineNo data

AporphineDicentrineNo data

AporphineDehydrodicentrineNo data

AporphineNuciferineNo data

AporphineN-methylneolitsineNo data

Protoberberine1 compoundno data

ProtoberberineCyclanolineNo data

Benzylisoquinoline2 compoundsno data

BenzylisoquinolineLaudanosineNo data

BenzylisoquinolineMagnocurarineNo data

Lipids & Other

Grouped by class · 5 compoundsExpand all|Collapse all

GroupCompoundAmount

Cyclitol1 compoundno data

CyclitolQuercitolNo data

Fatty acid3 compoundsno data

Fatty acidArachidic acidNo data

Fatty acidLinoleic acidNo data

Fatty acidStearic acidNo data

Flavonoid1 compoundno data

FlavonoidCissampeloflavoneNo data

Clinical Applications

The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory actions of abuta, make it useful for many conditions, including cancer.

By far the most well established use of this plant is during pregnancy and to treat pain and dysregulation with the female menstrual cycle.

Dosage

No clinical trial has established a human dose for abuta, and every quantitative dose in the research literature is an animal dose that does not translate directly to people. In Western herbal practice it is typically given as a 1:2 liquid extract at around 20–40 mL, and traditionally as a root decoction or tincture — figures that rest on practitioner custom, not trial evidence. For context, the preclinical studies behind the actions above used root or leaf extracts at roughly 100–400 mg/kg in rodents (the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective and antiurolithic work all sit in that range); those cannot be read across to a human amount. Treat any figure here as a guide, not a recommendation.

Safety

Acute and subacute toxicity screening of a 50% aqueous-ethanolic extract found no mortality and no biochemical or haematological changes in rats at oral doses up to 2 g/kg over 28 days, and antiviral studies used high doses without observed toxicity ^{30,3Reference 302008AnimalToxicological screening of traditional medicine Laghupatha (Cissampelos pareira) in experimental animals — animal model (acute/subacute)View study →Reference 3Sood et al. · 2015In vitroCissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse modelView study →}. On that basis the acute toxicity is low. The plant does, however, belong to the curare (arrow-poison) alkaloid family and carries skeletal-muscle-relaxant constituents ^{2,11Reference 2Semwal et al. · 2014ReviewFrom arrow poison to herbal medicine — the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological significance of Cissampelos (Menispermaceae) — reviewView study →Reference 112021AnimalAnti-depressant, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Cissampelos pareira Linn. leaves — animal model (mice)View study →}, so additive effects with sedatives or neuromuscular-blocking drugs are plausible at high intake.

Herb–drug interactions have not been formally studied for abuta and no CYP450 data exist, so the absence of interaction reports should not be read as evidence of safety. The one documented immune effect of the alkaloid fraction is immunosuppression at low doses ^{8Reference 8Bafna et al. · 2010In vitroAntioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Cissampelos pareira Linn — in vitro and in vivo (mice)View study →}, relevant for anyone who is immunocompromised or taking immunosuppressant medication.

Pregnancy & lactation

Traditionally used, but not clinically established — practitioner supervision only. Abuta is best known in Amazonian herbal medicine as the “midwives’ herb”: traditionally taken for menstrual and pre- and post-natal cramping, as a uterine tonic, to help prevent a threatened miscarriage, and to check uterine bleeding after childbirth ^{35Reference 35Taylor · 2005The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text}. That is a long, specific tradition — the plant has been carried by Amazon midwives for generations.

Running against it is an opposite tradition: in parts of India (Assam) the leaf is used the other way, as a folk contraceptive ^{36,37,38Reference 36Bullough et al. · 1982Herbal medicines used by traditional birth attendants in Malawi — ethnobotanical reportReference 37Tiwari et al. · 1982Folklore information from Assam for family planning and birth control — ethnobotanical surveyReference 38Feng et al. · 1962In vitroPharmacological screening of some West Indian medicinal plants — animal/in vitro screening}, and the one animal study to test this found a methanolic leaf extract disrupted the estrous cycle, shifted LH/FSH/prolactin/estradiol and reduced litters in mice ^{23Reference 23Ganguly et al. · 2007AnimalAntifertility activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Cissampelos pareira in female albino mice — animal model (mice)View study →}. The contradiction is probably real rather than a mistake — the two traditions use different plant parts, preparations and likely chemotypes, and a herb that acts on the uterus and reproductive hormones could plausibly work either way.

What is missing on both sides is human evidence: there are no clinical studies of abuta in pregnancy, for preventing miscarriage, or as a contraceptive. Given that genuine uncertainty and the plant’s uterine and hormonal activity, abuta is best used in pregnancy — or when trying to conceive — only under the guidance of an experienced practitioner, not self-prescribed. No lactation data exist.

Synergy

Cissampelos pareira and Anethum graveolens were suggested to be synergistic in preventing and treating age-related cognitive decline.

A combination of the two were found to possess significant neuroprotective effects through multiple factors ultimately leading to an increase in neuronal density of the hippocampus, and through antiacetylcholinesterase activity ^{13Reference 13Thukham-mee et al. · 2012AnimalEvaluation of safety and protective effect of combined extract of Cissampelos pareira and Anethum graveolens (PM52) against age-related cognitive impairment — animal model (rat)View study →}.

Abuta extract appeared to possess an intrinsic antipyretic activity which could be synergistic with that of paracetamol in regards to dengue virus treatment ^{3Reference 3Sood et al. · 2015In vitroCissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse modelView study →}.

References

1. Kanmani, S., et al. (2021). Cissampelos pareira L.: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology — review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33485976/
2. Semwal, D. K., et al. (2014). From arrow poison to herbal medicine — the ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological significance of Cissampelos (Menispermaceae) — review. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24997389/
3. Sood, R., et al. (2015). Cissampelos pareira Linn: Natural source of potent antiviral activity against all four dengue virus serotypes — in vitro and in vivo mouse model. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26709822/
4. Haider, S., et al. (2022). Anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential of Cissampelos pareira L. identified by connectivity map-based analysis and in vitro studies — in vitro and in silico. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35459166/
5. Amresh, G., et al. (2007). Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Cissampelos pareira root in rats — animal model (rat). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17097249/
6. Amresh, G., et al. (2007). Antinociceptive and antiarthritic activity of Cissampelos pareira roots — animal model (mouse/rat). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17240096/
7. Dhamija, I., et al. (2016). Comparative antipyretic and analgesic activities of Cissampelos pareira Linn. and Cyclea peltata — animal model (rat). Ayu. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28827957/
8. Bafna, A., & Mishra, S. (2010). Antioxidant and immunomodulatory activity of the alkaloidal fraction of Cissampelos pareira Linn — in vitro and in vivo (mice). Scientia Pharmaceutica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21179368/
9. (2025). Phytochemical screening and in vitro antioxidant and anticancer evaluation of stem and leaf extracts of Cissampelos pareira L. — in vitro. Mediators of Inflammation. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40689394/
10. (2011). In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of Cissampelos pareira against carbon-tetrachloride-induced hepatic damage — in vitro and animal model (rat). Indian Journal of Experimental Biology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22403868/
11. (2021). Anti-depressant, anxiolytic, and muscle relaxant activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Cissampelos pareira Linn. leaves — animal model (mice). Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33964866/
12. (2013). Effect of Cissampelos pareira leaves on anxiety-like behavior in experimental animals — animal model (rat). Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24716177/
13. Thukham-mee, W., & Wattanathorn, J. (2012). Evaluation of safety and protective effect of combined extract of Cissampelos pareira and Anethum graveolens (PM52) against age-related cognitive impairment — animal model (rat). Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23028394/
14. (2024). N-Methylneolitsine as a new and potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitor of Cissampelos pareira Linn. aerial parts — in vitro (bioassay-guided isolation). Natural Product Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37154600/
15. (2013). Effect of Cissampelos pareira root extract on isoproterenol-induced cardiac dysfunction — animal model (rat). Journal of Natural Medicines. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22415653/
16. (2016). Cissampelos pareira Linn. ameliorates thyroxin-induced cardiac hypertrophy in rats — animal model (rat). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26647106/
17. (2014). Anticancer activity of Cissampelos pareira against Dalton’s lymphoma ascites-bearing mice — in vitro and animal model (mice). Pharmacognosy Magazine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25210304/
18. Kupchan, S. M., et al. (1965). Cissampareine, new cytotoxic alkaloid from Cissampelos pareira; cytotoxicity of bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloids — in vitro. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5842344/
19. Morita, H., et al. (1993). Structures and solid-state tautomeric forms of two novel antileukemic tropoloisoquinoline alkaloids (pareirubrines) from Cissampelos pareira — in vitro. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8403090/
20. (2021). Cytotoxic polyhydroxylated pregnane glycosides from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitro. RSC Advances. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35424474/
21. (2022). Cytotoxic polyhydroxylated oleanane triterpenoids from Cissampelos pareira var. hirsuta — in vitro. Molecules. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35208972/
22. (2015). Cytotoxic agents for KB and SiHa cells from the n-hexane fraction of Cissampelos pareira — in vitro. Natural Product Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25430075/
23. Ganguly, M., et al. (2007). Antifertility activity of the methanolic leaf extract of Cissampelos pareira in female albino mice — animal model (mice). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17324540/
24. (2021). Transcriptome analysis and connectivity mapping of Cissampelos pareira L. provides molecular links of ESR1 modulation to viral inhibition — in vitro and in silico. Scientific Reports. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34635729/
25. (2004). Ethnomedical value of Cissampelos pareira extract in experimentally induced diarrhoea — animal model. Acta Pharmaceutica. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15050042/
26. (2014). Evaluation of antiurolithic activity of alcoholic extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira in albino rats — animal model (rat). Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25177580/
27. (2014). Evaluation of diuretic activity of alcoholic extract of roots of Cissampelos pareira in albino rats — animal model (rat). Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24995192/
28. (2023). Bisbenzylisoquinolines from Cissampelos pareira L. as antimalarial agents: molecular docking, pharmacokinetics and molecular dynamics — in silico. Computational Biology and Chemistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36848855/
29. (2009). Anti-plasmodial activity of the extracts of some Kenyan medicinal plants — in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19041710/
30. (2008). Toxicological screening of traditional medicine Laghupatha (Cissampelos pareira) in experimental animals — animal model (acute/subacute). Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18280070/
31. (2018). The effects of Cissampelos pareira extract on envenomation induced by Bothrops diporus snake venom — in vitro and in vivo. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28943445/
32. (2019). Bioactive isoquinoline alkaloids from Cissampelos pareira — in vitro. Natural Product Research. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29126362/
33. Samanta, J., et al. (2012). Phytochemical investigation and pharmacognostic standardization of Cissampelos pareira root — phytochemical analysis. Ancient Science of Life. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23661865/
34. (2003). Cissampeloflavone, a chalcone-flavone dimer from Cissampelos pareira (antitrypanosomal) — in vitro. Phytochemistry. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12943789/
35. Taylor, L. (2005). The Healing Power of Rainforest Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal Medicinals — reference text. Square One Publishers.
36. Bullough, C. H., & Leary, W. P. (1982). Herbal medicines used by traditional birth attendants in Malawi — ethnobotanical report. Tropical and Geographical Medicine, 34, 81–85.
37. Tiwari, K. C., Majumder, R., & Bhattacharya, S. (1982). Folklore information from Assam for family planning and birth control — ethnobotanical survey. International Journal of Crude Drug Research, 20, 133–137.
38. Feng, P. C., Haynes, L. J., Magnus, K. E., Plummer, J. R., & Sherratt, H. S. (1962). Pharmacological screening of some West Indian medicinal plants — animal/in vitro screening. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 14, 556–561.