Bupleurum chinense

Bupleurum chinense (Chai Hu, Chinese: 柴胡; pinyin: chaí hú; Jyutping: caai4 wu4, Thorowax) is a plant of the family Apiaceae.

Bupleurum chinense
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Bupleurum
Species:
B. chinense
Binomial name
Bupleurum chinense
DC.

Distribution and appearance

Bupleurum chinense is native to East Asia. The leaves of the plant are long and thin and resemble fennel.

Use in traditional Chinese medicine

The root of B. chinense, known as Radix Bupleuri, is used in traditional Chinese medicine.[1] It is a primary ingredient in the preparation Xiao Chai Hu Tang, which was first recorded in the Treatise on Cold Induced Febrile Disease (Shang Han Lun) circa 280 AD. It is also an ingredient of Xiao Yao San, which was first seen in the Tai Ping Hui Min He Ji Ju Feng (Imperial Grace Formulary of the Tai Ping Era) 1078–85. This formula is used to soothe irritability.

Bupleurum can be used for a number of health benefits. is a herbal medicine for harmonizing and soothing gan (liver) qi stagnation. Substantial pharmacological studies have been conducted on Chaihu and its active components (saikosaponins). One of the active components of Chaihu, saikosaponin-d, exhibited anticancer effects via autophagy induction. See linked article for reviews of the pharmacological findings for the roles of autophagy in the pharmacological actions of Chaihu and saikosaponins.[2]

Precautions

Consumption of B. chinense may increase the risk of liver damage.[3] This formula should not be taken without a prescription from a licensed practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine and should not be taken for prolonged periods of time and could cause headache, dizziness and bleeding of the gums. Chai Hu might slightly reduce white blood count.

Chemical constituents

Bupleurum chinense roots, also known as Radix Bupleuri, contain polyacetylenes and saponins/triterpenoids.[4]

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References
  1. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies. Eastland Press. 1990. ISBN 978-0-939616-10-7.
  2. Law, Betty Yuen-Kwan; Mo, Jing-Fang; Wong, Vincent Kam-Wai (11 September 2014). "Autophagic effects of Chaihu (dried roots of Bupleurum Chinense DC or Bupleurum scorzoneraefolium WILD)". Chinese Medicine. 9: 21. doi:10.1186/1749-8546-9-21. PMC 4165614. PMID 25228909.
  3. Lee, Chang-Hsing; Wang, Jung-Der; Chen, Pau-Chung; Yuen, Man-Fung (12 January 2011). "Risk of Liver Injury Associated with Chinese Herbal Products Containing Radix bupleuri in 639,779 Patients with Hepatitis B Virus Infection". PLOS ONE. 6 (1): e16064. Bibcode:2011PLoSO...616064L. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0016064. PMC 3020221. PMID 21264326.
  4. Abe, Hiroko; Sakaguchi, Machiko; Odashima, Shizuo; Arichi, Shigeru (1982). "Protective effect of saikosaponin-d isolated from Bupleurum falcatum L. on CCl4-induced liver injury in the rat". Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology. 320 (3): 266–271. doi:10.1007/BF00510139. PMID 7133157.
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