Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Saturday, 9 November 2013

Chinese Herbs - Gua Lou (Radix Trichosanthis)

Gua Lou or gua lou gen or tian hua fen, is also known as trichosanthes root. The sweet, slightly bitter and cold herb has been used in TCM as anti HIV, anti tumor, anti bacteria, etc. agent and to enhance the immune system, promote abortion, lower blood sugar, etc., as it clears lung heat, dissolves phlegm, gets rid of toxicity, expels pus, etc., by enhancing the functions of lung and stomach channels.

Ingredients

1. Trichosanthin

2. Karasurin
3. α-momorcharin
4. Polysaccharides

5. Agglutinin

6. β-sitosterol
7. α-spinasteryl-beta-D-glucoside
8. α-spinasterol- palmitate
9. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Hepatitis B
In the investigation of the effect of extracts with water and alcohol from Radix Trichosanthis on the cell survival and the expression of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B e-antigen (HBeAg) in HepG2.2.15 cell supernatant, found that the therapeutic index of extracts with water from Radix Trichosanthis was better than that in the alcohol group. Conclusion: The activity of water-soluble extract from Radix Trichosanthis is stronger on antihepatitis B virus than that of the alcohol-soluble extract, according to “[Effect of extracts from Radix Trichosanthis on the expression of HBsAg and HBeAg in HepG2.2.15 cells].[Article in Chinese]” by Chen J, Xu Z, Ouyang H, Peng M, Wu T, Liu J, Liu Y, Yan H.(1) 2. Anti diabetes
In the review of many studies show of TCM with hypoglycaemic effects, for example Radix Astragali, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Trichosanthis, Panax Ginseng, Fructus Schisandrae, Radix Ophiopogonis, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Radix Puerariae, Fructus Lycii, Poria, Rhizoma Coptidis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Rhizoma Polygonati, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Semen Trigonellae, Momordica charantia, Allium sativum, Opuntia stricta, Aloe vera, Cortex Cinnamomi, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, and so on, have nearly independent anti-inflammatory action, indicated that Studies of TCM add new evidences, which indicate that diabetes may be an inflammatory disease and slight or moderate inhibition of inflammation might be useful to prevent the development of diabetes. Through this review, we aim to develop more perspectives to indicate that diabetes may be an inflammatory disease and diverse TCM may share a common antidiabetic property: anti-inflammatory action. Further studies should focus on and validate inflammation-regulating targets of TCM that may be involved in inhibiting the development of diabetes, according to “Diabetes is an inflammatory disease: evidence from traditional Chinese medicines” by Xie W, Du L.(2)
3. Melanogenesis
in the evaluation of the effects of Radix Ginseng (RG) and Radix Trichosanthis (RT) on the melanogenesis in the B16 melanoma cells, found that Treatment with RT alone dose-dependently suppressed tyrosinase activity and melanin content compared with untreated control, and significantly inhibited cell proliferation. However, RG at various concentrations did not exhibit any significant change of them. Treatment with RT in the presence of various concentrations of RG suppressed tyrosinase activity and melanin content, similar to treatment with RT alone, but slightly increased cell proliferation, according to “Effect of Radix Ginseng and Radix Trichosanthis on the melanogenesis” by Im SJ, Kim KN, Yun YG, Lee JC, Mun YJ, Kim JH, Woo WH.(3)
4. Immune function
In the determination of Various red cell immune functions were determined in 60 mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma treated and untreated with Radix Trichosanthis(RT), and compared with these of 30 normal mice, found that In mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma treated with RT, the rosette formation of red cell C3b receptor, the rosette formation of red cell immune complex, the rosette formation rate of red cell round cancer, the rate of PMN phagocytosis were enhanced, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was satisfactory higher than those in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma untreated with RT, and almost same as those in normal mice, while the rosette inhibition rate of red cell C3b receptor in serum was satisfactory lower than that in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma untreated with RT, and almost same as that in normal mice, according to “[Enhancement of the therapeutic effect and red cell immune function by radix Trichosanthis in mice bearing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma].[Article in Chinese]” by Guo F.(4)
5. Birth control
In the examination of a contraceptive prevalence study conducted in September, 1982. 118 million of the 170 million married women of child bearing age use birth control. IUD insertion accounts for 50.2% of birth control methods used, tubal ligation accounts for 25.4%, vas deferens ligation 10.0% oral contraceptives (OCs) 8.2%, and condoms 2.0%, indicated that Radix Trichosanthis and lilac daphne terpine, traditional abortifacients, anre acceptable for 1st trimester abortions. Prostaglandins are also used, according to “Birth control techniques in China” by Xiao B, Wang M.(5)

6. Etc.

Side Effects

1. Overdoses can damage kidney as the herb is toxic
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without consulting first with the related field specialist.

3. Do not use the herb in case of spleen and/or stomach deficiency
4. Etc.