ABSTRACT
The family Menispermaceae consists of 70 genera and approximately 400 species of tropical climbers that have attracted a great deal of interest on account of their ability to elaborate a series of diterpenes, benzylisoquinoline, and aporphine alkaloids. Berberine inhibits the growth of HepG2 cells by direct interaction with DNA in which it intercalates. This intercalating property of berberine and congeners explains the broad range of antibacterial and antiprotozoal effects elicited by the alkaloids and the medicinal properties. Palmatine, berberine, jatrorrhizine, and dihydroberberine inhibit the growth of Babesia gibsoni cultured in vitro at very small doses. Stephania japonica is a climber that is found in a geographical area ranging from India, South China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. In Japan and Taiwan decoction of the Stephania japonica plant is used as a drink to treat malaria and to invigorate. In Indonesia, the roots are used to assuage stomachaches, and a paste of the fruit is applied to cancer of the breast.
