Uncaria species have had a variety of uses in traditional herbal medicine, such as for lightheadedness, convulsions, numbness, and hypertension.[6] These uses have been associated with the presence of rhynchophylline and have encouraged its investigation as a drug candidate for several cardiovascular and central nervous system diseases; however, few clinically relevant studies have been conducted.[6]
^Kang TH, Murakami Y, Matsumoto K, Takayama H, Kitajima M, Aimi N, Watanabe H (2002). "Rhynchophylline and Isorhynchophylline Inhibit NMDA Receptors Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes". European Journal of Pharmacology. 455 (1): 27–34. doi:10.1016/S0014-2999(02)02581-5. PMID12433591.
^Kang TH, Murakami Y, Takayama H, Kitajima M, Aimi N, Watanabe H, Matsumoto K (2004). "Protective Effect of Rhynchophylline and Isorhynchophylline on in vitro Ischemia-Induced Neuronal Damage in the Hippocampus: Putative Neurotransmitter Receptors Involved in their Action". Life Sciences. 76 (3): 331–343. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2004.08.012. PMID15531384.
^ abZhou J, Zhou S (2010). "Antihypertensive and neuroprotective activities of rhynchophylline: the role of rhynchophylline in neurotransmission and ion channel activity". Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 132 (1): 15–27. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.08.041. PMID20736055.