Menolyte
Tao Ren
SEMEN PERSICAE (PEACH SEED)
Tao Ren is the dried seed of Prunuspersica (L.) Batsch or Prunus davidiana (Carr.) Franch. (Roasceae). The herb is collected when the fruit is ripe in the summer, removed from sarcocarp endocarp (the hard shell) and dried in the sun.
CHEMISTRY
The seed contains amygdalin, 2,4.-methylenecycloartanol, multiflorins A and B, campesterol, and a- and b-sitosterol. It also contains allantoinase, emulsin and large amounts of fatty oil1.
PHARMACOLOGY
The decoction of the herb inhibited thrombosis in vitro. It increased blood flow in the ear veins of rabbits. Intravenous administration of the decoction to anesthetized dogs caused vesodilation, increased blood flow in femoral artery and decreased blood pressure. Injection of 1-100 mg of the extract of the herb into the splenic artery improved microcirculation of the surface of the liver and promoted bile secretion. The alcoholic extract of the herb had anticoagulation effect. Oral dose of the extract to mice inhibited passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice, suggesting an antiallergic effect1.
FUNCTIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Traditional Description
Tao Ren has bitter and sweet tastes and a neutral property, acting on the heart, liver and large intestine channels. It has the functions of:
(i) promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, used
in amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea due to blood stasis, postpartum abdominal
pain due to retention of blood stasis and masses in the abdomen,
and traumatic injuries; and
(ii) relaxing the bowels, used in constipation due to dryness of
the intestines.
Applications
Hepatocirrhosis
The extract solution of the herb has been used in the treatment of schistosomial hepatocirrhosis and posthepatitic hepatocirrhosis. In a clinical research involving 40 patients of schistosomial hepatocirrhosis, with 20 in the treatment group and another 20 as control. The patients in the treatment group received intravenous instillation of 500 mg of the extract in 500 ml of 5% glucose injection every two days for 90 days, and the control patients were given only 500 ml of 5% glucose injection every two days for 90 days. The results are shown in Table 12.
Table 1 Effect of Semen Persicae for hepatocirrhosis.
| Left hepatomegaly (cm) | Spleen volume (cm3) | Urine hydroxyproline (mg/24h) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treatment | |||
| Before | 6.55a | 1033 | 24.34 |
| After | 4.68b | 433b | 30.53C |
| Change | -1.87!0.48d | -600±145 | 6.19±2.95 |
| Control | |||
| Before | 5.50 | 819 | 20.68 |
| After | 445e | 716 | 19.06 |
| Change | -1.05±0.29 | -103±76 | -1.62±2.80 |
a The measurements are expressed in the mean value
b P<0.00l as compared to the pretreatment value
c P<0.05 as compared to the pretreatment value
d The mean ± SEM
e P<0.0l as compared to the pretreatment value
In another study involving 85 patients of posthepatitic cirrhosis. The patients were treated in the same profile as the above study, with 65 in the treatment group and remaining 20 as control. Improvements in serum albumin, immunological parameters, diameters of portal vein and splenic vein and spleen volume, and patho-morphology were observed. No adverse reactions were observed in the course of treatment3.
DOSAGE
4.5-9g.
REFERENCES
1. Hu, S.L., Chi, Q. Zhao, Z.-Z. (1989) The Indigenous and Superior
Chinese Herbal Drugs, pp. 424-426. Harhin: Heilongjiang Science & Technology
Press.
2. Yu, G.S., Tang, MG., Ruan, W.C., Hong, J.H., Zhang, Z.B., Hu,
Y.Z., er al. (1986) A study on the effect of Semen Persicae in the
treatment of schistosomial hepatocirrhosis. Journal of Traditional
Chinese Medicine, 424-425.
3. Liu, C., Liu, P., Xu, L.M., Zhu, J.L., Yu, G.S., Xue, H.M., et
al. (1991) Effect of Semen Persicae with cordyceps in the treatment
of posthepatitic hepatocirrhosis. Journal of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, 404-
407.