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

Friday 1 November 2013

Chinese Herbs– Wu Hua Gou (Fructus fici)

Wu Hua Gou is also known as fig. The sweet and cool herb has been used in TCM to treat coarse voice, dry coughs, constipation, weak digestion, hemorrhoids, prolapse of rectum, etc., as it strengthens the Stomach, clears the Intestine, disperses swelling, removes Toxin, etc. by enhancing the functions of Lung, Spleen and Stomach channels.
Ingredients
1. Citric acid
2. Ffumaric acid
3. Ssuccinic acid
4. Malonic acid
5. Proline
6. Oxalic acid
7. Malic acid
8. Shikimic acid
9. Quinic acid
10. Alkaloids
11. Glucosides
12. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Antioxidant activities and anthocyanin content
Fig fruit has been a typical component in the health-promoting Mediterranean diet for millennia. Extracts of darker varieties showed higher contents of phytochemicals compared to lighter colored varieties. Fruit skins contributed most of the above phytochemicals and antioxidant activity compared to the fruit pulp. Antioxidant capacity correlated well with the amounts of polyphenols and anthocyanins (R2 = 0.985 and 0.992, respectively). In the dark-colored Mission and the red Brown-Turkey varieties, the anthocyanin fraction contributed 36 and 28% of the total antioxidant capacity, respectively. C3R contributed 92% of the total antioxidant capacity of the anthocyanin fraction. Fruits of the Mission variety contained the highest levels of polyphenols, flavonoids, and anthocyanins and exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity, according to Dr. Solomon A, and researcher team at the Institute of Horticulture, ARO, The Volcani Center(1)
2. Human melanoma
In the examine the effects of Coumarin and fatty acid content in F. carica leaves, bark and woody parts and compared by capillary GC and GC/MS, found that this type of fig tree may constitute an excellent source of bioactive compounds, such as phenolics, coumarins and fatty acid and offers a new perspective in developing others formulations potentially useful in photodynamic therapy for treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers(2).
3. Antiproliferative activity
In the study of Changes in the phenolic and lipophilic composition, in the enzyme inhibition and antiproliferative activity of Ficus carica L. cultivar Dottato fruits during maturation, showed that the total extracts of F. carica cv. Dottato exhibited a significant dose-dependent antiradical and inhibition of lipid peroxidation activity, particularly fruits of the first harvest (June) that showed the highest activity with IC50 of 1.64 mg/mL and 0.004 mg/mL, respectively. Among single fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction from the second harvest (July) showed the highest antiradical activity with an IC50 value of 0.05 mg/mL while the dichloromethane fraction showed the best inhibition of lipid peroxidation with an IC50 value of 0.02 mg/mL. Dichloromethane fractions showed the highest photodynamic cytotoxicity with an IC50<5 μg/mL(3).
4. Antibacterial activity
In the study of Hexane extract of the Tunisian common Jrani caprifig latex for sts antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, showed that 36 compounds of the extract were identified, 90.56% of the total area of peaks were coumarins. A strong bactericidal effect was demonstrated. The most sensitive bacteria were Staphylococcus saprophyticus clinical isolate, and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, with a MIC of 19 µg/mL(4).
5. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of spleen deficiency with diarrhea.
2. Prolonged period of using of the herb may cause loss of appettite
3. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
4. Etc.

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Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17002444
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22469077
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22222929
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22136172

Chinese Herbs – Wu Jia Pi (Cortex Acanthopanacis Gracilistyli Radicis)

Wu Jia Pi is also known as acanthopanax root bark. The bitter, spicy and warm herb has been used in TCM to treat rheumatism, weakness in joints and muscles, urination difficulty, edema, etc., as it dispels cold, relieves dampness pain, reduces swelling, etc. by enhancing the functions of kidney and liver channels.

Ingredients
1. Syringin
2. (-)ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid,
3. 16 aplpha hydroxy-I-kauran-19-oic acid,
4. Stearic acid
5. D-sesamin
6. Calcium oxalate
7. Palmic acid
8. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Fulminant hepatitis
In the study to evaluate Triterpenoid Acankoreanogenin A (AA) which is extracted from the leaves of the Acanthopanax gracilistylus W.W. Smith (AGS) has shown its inhibiting effect on TNF-α, IL-1β and HMGB1 release in vitro, showed that the post-treatment of AA could significantly attenuate the release of HMGB1, but not the TNF-α and IL-1β. AA inhibits the systemic release of pro-inflammatory cytokine HMGB1, and dose-dependently rescue the mice from lethal GalN/LPS-induced fulminant hepatitis, which suggests this component as a candidate therapy for fulminant hepatitis(1).
2. Etc,

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in casr of Yin deficiency with excessive heat.
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
3. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21356341

Chinese Herbs – Wu Mei (Fructus Pruni Mume)

Wu Mei is also known as Japanese Apricot Fruit. The sour and warm herb has been used in TCM to get rid of ascaris worms, c, promotes generation of Body Fluids, calms roundwormsand pain of the abdomen, etc. by enhancing the functions of liver, large intestine, lung and spleen channels.

Ingredients
1. N-hexanal, trans-2-hexenal
2. N-hexanol, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, cis-2-hexen-1-ol,
3. Linalool
4. A-terpineol
5. Geranio
6. Trimethyltetrahydronaphthalene drivs
7. Tetradecanoic acid
8. Benzaldehyde
9. Terpinen-4-ol
10 Benzylalcohol
11. Beta-sitosterol
12. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
In the study to observe the different effects between Mahuang (Herba Ephedra Sinicae) and Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) on the pathological changes of rats with bleomycin A(5)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, showed that Herba Ephedra Sinicae combined with Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis can restrain pulmonary artery injury. The nuclear density and microvessel density can be reduced by Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis, while Herba Ephedra Sinicae can increase the inner diameter(1).
2. Improved insulin sensitivity
In the study to determine which fractions of Fructus Schisandrae (FS) improved peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ activity and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in cell-based experiments. researchers at the Korean Food Research Institutes, found that FS-60, a lignan-rich fraction, improves glucose homeostasis by increasing glucose disposal rates and enhancing hepatic insulin sensitivity by working as a PPAR-γ agonist in type-2 diabetic rats(2).
3. Hypoglycemic drugs
Glucose uptake assay-guided fractionations of the methanol extract of Schisandra chinensis led to the isolation of the dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans: gomisin J (1), gomisin N (2), wuweizisu B (3), wuweizisu C (4), gomisin C (5), gomisin D (6), (+)-schisandrin A (7), schisandrin C (8), schisandrol A (9), gomisin H (10), angeloylgomisin H (11), gomisin A (12), and schizandrin (13). Among these, 1, 2, 7, and 8 significantly improved basal glucose uptake in HepG2 cells, according to the study of Jilin Agricultural University(3).
4. Synergistic hepatoprotective effect
In the study to investigate the synergistic hepatoprotective effect of lignans from Fructus Schisandrae chinensis (LFS) with Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on chronic liver injury in male Sprague-Dawley rats, showed that LFS and APS display hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties and act in a synergistic manner in CCl(4) induced liver injury in rats(4).
5. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of fever with infection or in case of unresolved exterior diseases
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
3. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21565143
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21440615
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20334133
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19345075

Chinese Herbs – Wu Shao She (Zaocys dhumnades)

Wu Shao She is also known as Chinese rat snake. The sweet, neutral and non toxic herb has been used in TCM to treat rheumatoid arthritis, numbness in skin and muscles, TB in bones and joints, paralysis, blurry vision, rashes and rabies, leprosy, epilepsy, etc., as it expels Wind, eliminates accumulations, calms convulsions, etc. by enhancing the functions of liver channels.

Ingredients
1. Protein
2. Fat
3. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase
4. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Anti tumors
In the study to evaluate the effect of soluble total proteins of Zaocys dhumnades on the expressions of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-10 in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) cultured in vitro, showed that the protein and mRNA levels of IL-1beta and TNF-alpha in the supernatant of the FLS exposed to 150 and 450 microg/ml of the soluble total proteins of Zaocys dhumnades decreased, while IL-10 protein and mRNA increased significantly as compared with those in the negative control group (P<0.01)(1).
2. Snake insulin
In the primary structure of snake insulin, the presence of B5 Arg, B29 Arg, B16 Phe, B25 Tyr and B18 Ile is unusual in comparison with insulins from mammals, birds and fishes. However, the snake insulin we studied is very similar to rattle snake insulin, with the exception that A15 is glutamic acid instead of glutamine and B30 is threonine instead of serine, according to Dr.Zhang YS, Dr. Cao QP, and Dr. Zhang YS(2).
3. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of Yin deficiency without heat
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
3. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19861243
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7029709

Chinese Herbs – Wu Tou ( Radix Aconiti Carmichaeli)

Wu Tou is also known as Aconite Root. The acrid, hot and toxic herb has been used in TCM use as sedative, analgesic, anti inflammatory, anti cancer agent and to treat muscle spasm in cholera; instant sweating, pain and cold in chest and abdomen, chronic diarrhea, etc., as it strongly expels Wind-Damp, disperses Cold, calms pain, etc. by enhancing the functions of heart, kidney and spleen channels.

Ingredients
1. Hypaconitine
2. Aconitine
3. Mesaconitine
4. Talatisamine
5. Chuan-wu-base A
6. Chuan-wu-base B
7. Carmichaeline
8. Atisines
9. Aminophenols
10. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Energy metabolism
Herbs with hot property such as Radix aconiti lateralis preparata and Rhizoma zingiberis could improve the energy metabolism in rats, through influencing the metabolic process of sugar, lipid, and amino acid. It could also promote the production, storage, and utilization of energy by regulating the gene expression related to metabolism, according to the study of Dr. Yu HY, and the researchers at the Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine(1).
2. Antibacterial effect
In the study to investigate the crude monkshood polysaccharide isolated from Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata on polysaccharide on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, showed that microcalorimetry is a fast, simple, and more sensitive technology that can be easily performed to study the effect of drugs on bacteria(2).
3. Portal hypertension
High dose of Zhi-Fuzi exerted more portal hypotensive effects than propranolol and simultaneously ameliorated the systemic arterial hypotension in PVL rats. The late administration of Zhi-Fuzi also significantly reduced the elevated portal pressure (14.56 +/- 0.19 vs. 19.50 +/- 0.31 mm Hg in control, P < 0.05). There were no adverse effects seen in normal rats receiving Zhi-Fuzi. The results suggest that Zhi-Fuzi is a potential drug for the prophylaxis and treatment of portal hypertension, according to the study of China Medical University(3).
4. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of not cold and weak
2. Raw Wu tou is very toxic
3. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
4. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22231706
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21726063
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17392492

Chinese Herbs – Wu Yao (Radix Linderae)

Wu Yao is also known as Spicebush Root. The acrid and warm herb has been used in TCM as increased metabolism, antibiotic, anti-viral agent andto harmonize peristalsis of digestive tract, release intestinal gas, etc., as it moves Qi, warms the Kidneys. calms pain, etc. by enhancing the functions of lung, spleen, kidney and bladder.channels.

Ingredients
1. Hydrocarbon
2. Ester
3. Acidic sesquiterpenoid
4. Linderol (borneol)
5. α-terpinene
6. Isolinderoxide
7. Linderene
8. Isogermafurene
9. Linderane
10. Linderalactone
11. Isolinderalactone
12. Neolinderalactone
13. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Arthritis
In the study to investigate the therapeutic potential of norisoboldine, the major isoquinoline alkaloid present in Radix Linderae, in collagen II -induced arthritis (CIA) of mice as well as the possible mechanisms, showed that norisoboldine might be a potential therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, and it functions through protecting joint destruction as well as regulating the abnormal immune responses(1).
2. Reduced pro inflammatory effects
In the study to explore the effects of norisoboldine on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines from macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide, researchers at the China Pharmaceutical University, showed that the preventive effects of norisoboldine on the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines were correlated with the inhibitory action on the phosphorylations of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases including p38, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-jun NH(2)-terminal kinase (JNK), but not on the activation and translocation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)(2).
3. Antioxidant activity
In the study to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and quality of traditional Chinese medicines using TLC-bioautography. indicated that Radix Linderae cultivated in Tiantai (Zhejiang province), Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis cultivated in Liangshan (Sichuan province), and Fructus Perillae acquired in Shanghai have the highest scavenging properties towards DPPH in their respective TLC-autographic assays. Norisoboldine, magnolol and honokiol, luteolin, apigenin and an unknown compound “U” proved to be the major antioxidant components in the corresponding crude drugs as they contribute the dominating peak areas to the total ones(3).
4. Diabetic nephropathy
In the study to examine a possible preventive effect of Linderae radix (LR), the root of Lindera strychnifolia, on the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Water extract of Linderae radix (LR extract) was orally administered to the C57BL/KsJ-db/db (db/db) mice, a model of genetic diabetes, at a dose of 730 mg/kg/day for 12 week, researchers at the Gifu University School of Medicine, found that the LR extract treatment did not affect glucose metabolism and systolic pressure. However, it resulted in a better renal function as evaluated by creatinine clearance (Ccr) and serum creatinine than the control; Ccr and serum creatinine were progressively worsened in controls (0.13+/-0.01 (l/day) and 0.69+/-0.04 (mg/dl), respectively) whereas unchanged in the treated group (0.24+/-0.03 (l/day), p<0.05 and 0.53+/-0.04 (mg/dl), p<0.05, respectively)(4).
5. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use in case of Yin or Qi deficiency
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
3. Etc.

Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20363113
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20352482
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17184113
(4) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15925389

Chinese Herbs – Wu Zhi Mao Tao (Radix Fici Simplicissimae)

Wu Zhi Mao Tao is also known as Hairy fig. The acrid, sweet and warm herb has been used in TCM as antibiotic, anti-virus, anti blood coagulation, anti-tumor agent and to treat rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis with cough, chronic bronchitis, night sweating, weakness after the illnesses, etc. as it tonifies the spleen, expel toxins, calm pain, etc. by enhancing the functions of lung, liver and spleen channels.

Ingredients
1. Diisobutyl phthalate
2. Amino acid
3. Saccharides
4. β-sitosterol
5. Coumarin
6. Osoralen
7. Bergapten
8. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Anti cancer
in the study to investigate the anticancer effect of extracts of Wuzhimaotao on cytotoxic and apoptosis of HeLa cell lines, showed that Wuzhimaotao extracts exert antiproliferative action and growth inhibition on HeLa cells through apoptosis induction which indicates its anticancer properties and deserves further investigation(1).
2. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consulting with the related field specialist.
2. Etc.