Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper 1989 Jun;65(6):517-20

Phytochemical and biological study of Uncaria tomentosa

[Article in Italian]

Senatore A, Cataldo A, Iaccarino FP, Elberti MG.

The investigation on steroidic fraction of Uncaria tomentosa, commonly called Una de gato, showed the presence of beta-sitosterol (60%), stigmasterol, and campesterol. The percentage of sterols have been carried out by GLC. The spectroscopic data 1H-NMR and MS of the three compounds are also reported, with the beta-sitosterol as the main sterol. Preliminary pharmacological investigations prove a moderate antiinflammatory activity.