Wednesday 30 October 2013

Chinese Herbs – Yu Zhu (Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati)

Yu Zhu is also known as Fragrant Solomonseal Rhizome. The sweet and slightly bitter herb has been used in TCM to lower blood lipids, treat arteriosclerosis, lower blood pressure, etc., as it nourishes Yin, moistens the Lungs, promotes generation of Body Fluids. nourishes the Stomach, etc., by enhancing the functions of lung and stomach channels.

Ingredients
1. Convallamarin
2. Convallarin
3. Quercitol
4.  Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid
5.  Vitamin A
6. Kaempferol
7. Chelidonic acid
8. Etc.

Health benefits
1. Improved glucose tolerance
The study of the effect of  water extracts of Radix scutellariae (RS), Fructus schisandrae chinensis (FSC), Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), and HLJDT supplemented with FSC, and Rhizoma Polygonati odorati (HLJDT-M) indicated that HLJDT-M improved glucose tolerance in an oral glucose tolerance test in Px rats. HLJDT-M also potentiated first- and second-phase insulin secretion, but RS and HLJDT elevated only the second phase at hyperglycemic clamp. RS and HLJDT increased beta-cell mass by hyperplasia and hypertrophy, while HLJDT-M increased it only by hyperplasia. The rise in hyperplasia was associated with elevated IRS2 and PDX-1 expression in the islets. In conclusion, HLJDT-M worked as an anti-diabetic prescription by enhancing insulinotropic actions in diabetic rats(1).
2. Antihyperglycemic effects
Rhizoma Polygonati Odorati, well-known Chinese traditional medicine, is widely used for treatment of diverse diseases, including diabetes. In the study of TFP extracted by 70% ethanol and purified by macroreticular resin, showed that FP possess significant dose-dependent anti-diabetic activity. TFP is one of the primary hypoglycemic active compounds of Polygonatum odoratum which would worth further study and development(2).
3. Immunopotentiator
Dr, Xiao J and the research team at the Second Military Medical College, in the study of the effect of the alcohol extract from Polygonatum odoratum (Mill.) Druce and Cuscuta australis R. Br., indicated that the extract increases the percentage of phagocytosis and the index of phagocytosis of macrophages as well as hemolysin and proliferation of lymphocytes up to normal level in mice with II+ burn injury covering 5% body surface(3).
4. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Dot to use in cases of damp phlegm and qi stagnation in the stomach
2. Etc.



Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19897925
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19454312
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2092718

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