Herbal Research

Dang Shen

RADIX CODONOPSIS PILOSULAE (TANGSHEN)

Dang Shen is the dried root of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., Codonopsis pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Franch.) Nannf. or Codonopsis tan gshen Oliv. (Campanulaceae). The root is collected in the autumn, washed clean and dried in the sun.

CHEMISTRY

The root of C. pilosula contains phytosterols and triterpenes including a-spinasterol and its b-D-glucopyranoside, Δ7-stigmasterol and its b-D-glucopyranoside, Δ5'22-stigmasterol, taraxerol, taraxeryl acetate and friedelin. Phenolic compounds syringaldehyde, vanillic acid, syringin and tangshenoside I, and the alkaloid perlolyrin together with furane and pyridine have also been isolated. In addition, the following compounds were also found in the root: butyloxycarbonylurea, 5-(hydroxymethyl)2-furaldehyde, 5-(methoxymethyl)-2-furaldehyde, 2-furancarboxylic acid, atractylenolides II and III, 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-benzaldehyde, alkanol- or alkenoiglycosides, ethyl-a-D-fructofuranoside, n-hexyl-b -D-glucopyranoside, (Z)-3-hexenyl-b-D-glucopyranoside and (EL)-2-hexenyl-b -D-glucopyra-noside 1,2. Furthermore, tetradeca-4E, 1 2E-diene-8, 10-diyne- 1,6,7-triol and its 6-O-b-D-glucoside, coniferyl alcohol, dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol, pinoresinol, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and q-cumaric acid were also identified in the root of C. pilosula2.
The main components of the essential oil of the root were identified as methyl palmitate, octadecane, nonadecane, heptadecane and long-chain carboxylic acid3.
From the root of C. tan gshen tangshenoside I and II, and tetradeca-4E, 12E-diene-8, 10-diyne- 1,6,7-triol 6-O-b-D-glucoside have been isolated2'4.

PHARMACOLOGY

Immunologic Stimulation

The herb increased both cellular and humoral immunity. Oral administration of 0.25 g of the decoction of the herb in mice for 1-2 weeks accelerated the clearance of intravenously injected 131I-plasma protein colloidal particles from the blood, suggesting an increase in reticuloendothelial phagocytosis5. Six days after the last dose, the phagocytosis of mice was still significantly higher than that of the control6.

Endocrine Effect

Plasma corticosterone level in mice was elevated after oral, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous administration of the decoction6. Reductions of corticosterone level after treatment with dexamethasone were reduced after administration of the n-butanolic fraction of the decoction, suggesting effects at the pituitary or superior central structures. The methanolic extract of the root caused a marked but not significant secretion of ACTH in primary cultures of rat pituitary cells7.

Antistress Effect

Oral administration of the decoction of the root prolonged the life span of mice under conditions of limited oxygen supply by reducing oxygen consumption. The n-butanolic fraction of the decoction decreased the incidence of drug- or stress-induced stomach ulcers7.

Effect on the CNS

A 20% ethanolic extract of the root improved memory capacities in experimentally compromised mice and rats subjected to a step-down test after oral administration of 30-60 g/kg for 3 days. Lower intraperitoneal dosage (0.2-0.6 g/kg in mice and 0.15-0.3 g/kg in rats) of the n-butanolic fraction revealed similar effects7.

Anti-ulcerative Effect

Pretreatment with the decoction of the herb reduced the incidence of ulcers in rats due to stress or pyiorus ligation. It also protected rats from gastric mucosal damage due to intragastical administration of absolute alcohol, 0.2 N NaOH or 0.6 N HC1. The anti-ulcerative effect may be mediated by increasing PGE2 and decreasing TXA2 contents in gastric mucosa8.

FUNCTIONS AND APPLICATIONS

Traditional Description

Dang Shen has a sweet taste and a neutral property, acting on the spleen and lung channels. It has the functions of reinforcing Qi and invigorating the functions of the spleen and lung, used in weakness of the spleen and the lung manifested by shortness of breath, cough, palpitation, anorexia, loose stools, and diabetes caused by intemal heat.

Applications

The herb has been used, alone or together with other herbs, in the treatment of neurosis, hematopoietic diseases, poor gastrointestinal function, gastric ulcer and nephritis5.

SIDE EFFECTS AND TOXICITY

Therapeutic doses do not produce side effects or toxic reactions. Over dosage (exceeding 60 g per dose) may cause precordial discomfort and arrhythmia. But these reactions disappeared spontaneously upon discontinuation of the medication.
Subcutaneous administration of 0.5 g of the herb to rats for 13 days caused no toxic reactions. Daily intraperitoneal dose of 1 g for 15 days did not produce toxic symptoms or changes in serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase level. The LD50 of the injection solution of the herb was 79.21±3.60 g/kg in mice by intraperitoneal administration5.

DOSAGE

9-30g.

REFERENCES

1. Tang, W., Eisenbrand, G. (1992) Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin Chemistry, pharmacology, and use in traditional and modern medicine, pp. 357-359. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer-Verlag.
2. Ndrr, H., Wagner, H. (1994) New constituents from Codonopsis pilosula. Planta Medico, 60, 494-495.
3. Liao, J., Lu, Y.Q. (1987) Chemical constituents of pilosa asiabell (Codonopsis pilosula). V. Studies of the essential oils. Chinese Traditional and Herbal Drugs, 18, 386-388.
4. Mizutani, K., Yuda, M., Tanaka, 0., Saruwasari, Y., Jia, MR., Ling, Y.K., et al. (1988) Tangshenosides I and 11 from chuandangshen, the root of Codonopsis tan gshen Oliv. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin,
36, 2726-2729.
5. Wang, Y.S. (1983) Pharmacology and Applications of Chinese Materia Medico, pp. 975-978. Beijing: People's Health Publisher.
6. Wang, J.M. (1985) Chinese Herbal Pharmacology, pp. 109-110. Shanghai: Shanghai Science & Technology Publisher.
7. Wagner, H., Niirr, H., Winterhoff, H. (1994) Plant adaptogens. Phytomedicine, 1: 63-76.
8. Wang, J.H. (1996) Private communication