my country has discovered a new COVID-19 drug and obtained a patent! It is extracted from this plant! Many people have seen it, but they can't name it.

Expert of this article: Li Ting, Master of Plant Protection, member of China Science Writers Association

Reviewer of this article: Shi Jun, researcher of botany, member of the Science Communication Working Committee of the Chinese Society of Botany

Recently, a new drug for the treatment of COVID-19 discovered by Chinese scientists was granted a national invention patent, and it is said that the drug's ability to inhibit the coronavirus ranks high among all coronavirus inhibitors discovered by humans.

As a result, the drug, cephalothin, became a hot topic and attracted people's attention.

Image source: Weibo screenshot

Many people are curious about which plant Stephania truncatula is extracted from? What does this plant look like? Many people may have seen it but can't name it. Today we will simply popularize this plant and take you to find out.

What plant does cephalaenopsis come from?

Main producer:

Stephania tetrandra is an alkaloid and an active ingredient extracted from the vine of the genus Stephania of the family Menispermaceae.

At present, more than 60 species of plants belonging to the genus Stephania of the Menispermaceae family have been discovered, such as white-line potato, herbaceous Stephania, Taiwan Stephania, groundhog, golden-line hanging turtle, glossy-leaved groundhog, southern groundhog and Rulan. These plants contain more or less stephaniain and can all become raw materials for extracting stephaniain.

Image source: Reference [3]

Studies have found that the content of cephalaenopsis in the plant Dipostemona is very high, while the content of cephalaenopsis in Dipostemona is relatively low. Therefore, cephalaenopsis is currently mainly extracted from Dipostemona.

The ground ivy is a perennial vine of the genus Stephania in the Menispermaceae family with similar tuberous roots. It has many common names, such as "Jinbuhuan", "Mountain Turtle", "Money Hanging", etc.

What does this plant look like?

Features

The enlarged tuberous roots of the ground-breaking plant often grow above the ground, and even the land cannot accommodate it, so people figuratively call this plant "ground-breaking plant".

According to investigations, the diameter of the tuberous roots of the ground lettuce can generally reach about 20 cm, and the longest can even reach about 50 cm.

The shape is spherical or irregularly spherical, the surface color is dark gray-brown or brown (similar to the color of soil), and the inside of the tuber is white or yellow fleshy.

Image source: Reference [3]

Growing Place

It mainly grows under forests or on both sides of valleys in mountainous areas such as Yunnan, Hainan and Sichuan. Its leaves are like wide triangles, with a relatively round base, and the leaves are soft and thin. It is more common in rural areas in the south, but many plants have leaves similar to ground worms, such as the wormwood of the genus wormwood of the family Menispermaceae, which need to be carefully distinguished.

Flowering and fruiting period

The flowering period is from March to April. The flowers are small and orange-yellow in color. The female and male flowers grow on different plants. The male plants have compound umbels, which grow axillary, and often have several flowers growing on short branches. The female plants have capitate cymes, and the perianth is bilaterally symmetrical.

The fruiting season is from April to July. The fruit is green when unripe and bright red when ripe. When it bears fruit, it looks like grapes, in bunches.

What other uses does this plant have?

Clinical drugs

Stephania tetrandra has a clinical history of more than 80 years, and has been widely studied at home and abroad. In 1934, Japanese scientists first extracted this ingredient from Stephania capitata, and have long used it in experimental treatments for anti-tumor, anti-malaria and pneumoconiosis, with certain results.

Warm reminder: Although the preparation method of cephalothin is not difficult, please do not extract and use it privately without professional guidance.

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Bonsai or potted plants

It is easy to plant, has clear green stems and leaves, and huge rhizomes. With just a little pruning, it can be made into a beautiful bonsai or potted plant with a high artistic value.

New pesticides

All parts of the plant have high contact activity against brown planthoppers, which often harm rice. Deep development of the plant to make new pesticides can promote rice growth and maintain food security.

References:

[1] Deng Yecheng, Xu Hanhong. Study on the insecticidal activity and active ingredients of Guangxi Diburong[J]. Chinese Agricultural Science, 2005, (03): 523-527.

[2] Chen Man, Chen Xinrui, Feng Xiaoyue, Yu Xurun, Xiong Fei, Ran Liping. Study on the morphology and physicochemical properties of starch in the tubers of Dioscorea serrata[J]. Journal of the Chinese Cereals and Oils Association: 1-10.

[3] Zheng Dinghua, Pan Denglang, Huang Jianxiong, Pan Jian, Wang Jun, Wang Xiuquan. Intercropping technology in rubber plantations[J]. Chinese Journal of Tropical Agriculture, 2020, (06): 107-111+66.

[4] Zou Yuezhi. Improvement of the method for extracting cephalothin from celery[J]. Pharmaceutical Information Bulletin, 1988(01):47.

[5] Li Xing. Pharmacognosy and chemical constituents of Dibaobab from the genus Stephania[D]. Southwest University, 2009.

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