Cāng zhú
Encyclopedia
Cāng zhú also known as black atractylodes rhizome or Rhizoma Atractylodes, is a Chinese herbal medicine. It is the dried rhizome
of Atractylodes lancea
(Thunb.) DC., Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz, or certain other local species including Atractylodes japonica Koidz. (One study suggested that A. chinensis is a subspecies of A. lancea, and A. chinensis var. liaotungensis is a subspecies of A. coreana) The medicine is distinguished from bái zhú (白术 or 白朮, white atractylodes rhizome from Atractylodes macrocephala), which is typically cultivated, whereas cāng zhú more often tends to be collected from the wild. It is believed that the distinction between cāng zhú and bái zhú emerged in relatively modern times; a single drug "zhú" described in the Shen nong ben cao jing
probably included many Atractylodes species.
the herb is described as spicy or pungent, bitter, warm, and aromatic, acting on the spleen and stomach meridians
.
A number of effects of the herb are described as ways of "drying dampness":
It is also used:
, marigolds
, daisies
, or related herbs (Asteraceae
). It should not be used by pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
states that there is "insufficient evidence" for use of Atractylodes against "indigestion, stomach ache, bloating, edema, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rheumatism, and other conditions," and also not sufficient evidence of the herb's safety. A small number of reports in the primary scientific literature support the possibility of several medical uses, but pending confirmation they must be evaluated cautiously.
Atractylodes rhizomes showed possible hepatoprotective activity in an in vitro assay of a hepatocyte cell line treated with carbon tetrachloride
or galactosamine
, with significant hepatoprotective activity from the isolated sesquiterpenoid components atractylon, beta-eudesmol, and hinesol. One review stated that the volatile oil contains the important chemical components, and that beta-eudesmol and hinesol are its active ingredients.
Compounds isolated from a hexane
extract of A. lancea included atractylochromene, a potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 3.3 micromolar) and cyclooxygenase
(IC50 0.6 micromolar); 2-[(2E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl]-6-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione, a selective inhibitor of lipoxygenase (IC50 0.2 micromolar); atractylon and osthol
, weak inhibitors of lipoxygenase, and atractylenolides I, II, and III. Atractylenolide I from bai zhú was reported to help with cachexia
(a side effect of stomach cancer) and alter cytokine levels in a small non-blinded study. It was found to bind competitively
with lipopolysaccharide
for cell surface receptors with IC50 values of 5 to 7 micromolar for inhibiting TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and nitric oxide
production.
A few sources have reported antimicrobial activity for the herb when burned as an incense: one coil of antiseptic atractylodes incense per 45 cubic meters of space significantly reduced the transmission of viruses and microbes, with an effect similar to formalin or ultraviolet light exposure. A study of the phototoxicity of Chinese herbal medicines found that in mice treated with UVA ultraviolet radiation, A. japonica increased sunburn edema and formation of sunburn cells, and decreased local immune responses by decreasing epidermal Lagerhans cells and contact hypersensitivity; but it also exerted its phototoxic effects on Candida albicans
, a potential therapeutic use.
A prenylated dihydrobenzofuran derivative isolated from A. lancea, trans-2-hydroxyisoxypropyl-3-hydroxy-7-isopentene-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carboxylic acid, was found to be cytotoxic to two cancer cell lines tested.
Other components of the rhizome include:
Rhizome
In botany and dendrology, a rhizome is a characteristically horizontal stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes...
of Atractylodes lancea
Atractylodes lancea
Atractylodes lancea Thunb. is a species of Atractylodes that grows in central China . It is one source of cāng zhú, a Chinese herbal medicine that acts primarily on the digestive system....
(Thunb.) DC., Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz, or certain other local species including Atractylodes japonica Koidz. (One study suggested that A. chinensis is a subspecies of A. lancea, and A. chinensis var. liaotungensis is a subspecies of A. coreana) The medicine is distinguished from bái zhú (白术 or 白朮, white atractylodes rhizome from Atractylodes macrocephala), which is typically cultivated, whereas cāng zhú more often tends to be collected from the wild. It is believed that the distinction between cāng zhú and bái zhú emerged in relatively modern times; a single drug "zhú" described in the Shen nong ben cao jing
Shen nong ben cao jing
The Shénnóng Běn Cǎo Jīng is a Chinese book on agriculture and medicinal plants. Its origin has been attributed to the mythical Chinese emperor Shennong, who was said to have lived around 2800 BC. Researchers hypothesize this is a compilation of oral traditions written between about 300 BC and...
probably included many Atractylodes species.
Cultivation
- A. lancea is grown mainly in HubeiHubei' Hupeh) is a province in Central China. The name of the province means "north of the lake", referring to its position north of Lake Dongting...
and JiangsuJiangsu' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located along the east coast of the country. The name comes from jiang, short for the city of Jiangning , and su, for the city of Suzhou. The abbreviation for this province is "苏" , the second character of its name...
. - A. chinensis and A. japonica are grown in JilinJilinJilin , is a province of the People's Republic of China located in the northeastern part of the country. Jilin borders North Korea and Russia to the east, Heilongjiang to the north, Liaoning to the south, and Inner Mongolia to the west...
, LiaoningLiaoning' is a province of the People's Republic of China, located in the northeast of the country. Its one-character abbreviation is "辽" , a name taken from the Liao River that flows through the province. "Níng" means "peace"...
, ShandongShandong' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
, Inner MongoliaInner MongoliaInner Mongolia is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China, located in the northern region of the country. Inner Mongolia shares an international border with the countries of Mongolia and the Russian Federation...
, and KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
.
Harvesting
The rhizome is dug up in the spring. After cleaning, it can be sliced and stir baked to a yellow brown color.Traditional attributes
In traditional Chinese medicineTraditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
the herb is described as spicy or pungent, bitter, warm, and aromatic, acting on the spleen and stomach meridians
Meridian (Chinese medicine)
The meridian is a path through which the life-energy known as "qi" is believed to flow, in traditional Chinese medicine. There is no physically verifiable anatomical or histological basis for the existence of acupuncture points or meridians.- Main concepts :...
.
A number of effects of the herb are described as ways of "drying dampness":
- As a stomachicStomachicA stomachic medicine is one that serves to tone the stomach, improving its function and increasing appetite. While many herbal remedies claim stomachic effects, modern pharmacology does not have an equivalent term for this type of action....
- for "Damp obstruction or accumulation in the Middle Jiao", with symptoms such as low appetite, abdominal distension, epigastric distress and fullness, indigestion, dyspepsia, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, weariness, a heavy sensation in the body, and a thick greasy tongue coating. - To eliminate exopathogens - to "dispel wind-damp-cold (bi-syndrome)", explained as "headaches and body aches, fever, chills, blocked nasal passages, and an absence of sweating"
- To treat "damp heat conditions" in the lower JiaoThree jiaosThe identification of disease according to the Three Burners was first described in the Qing Dynasty by Wu Ju Tong in his book "A Systematic Identification of Febrile Diseases". The system is often combined with Four Stages theory when diagnosing and treating an externally contracted disease...
, including "Damp Leg Qi, aching and swollen joints, and vaginal discharge" (leukorrheaLeukorrheaLeukorrhea or leucorrhoea is a medical term that denotes a thick, whitish or yellowish vaginal discharge.There are many causes of leukorrhea, the usual one being estrogen imbalance...
). This includes relieving arthralgiaArthralgiaArthralgia literally means joint pain; it is a symptom of injury, infection, illnesses or an allergic reaction to medication....
, swollen knees, and foot pain. Treatment of these conditions can involve combinations such as San Miao San or Er Maio San. - To induce sweating.
It is also used:
- To treat night blindness or optic atrophy, either alone or as a component of Shi Ju Ming.
- To relieve stagnant liver qiQiIn traditional Chinese culture, qì is an active principle forming part of any living thing. Qi is frequently translated as life energy, lifeforce, or energy flow. Qi is the central underlying principle in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts...
, reducing stress and relieving depression, in mixtures such as Jue Ju Wan.
Contraindications
"Yin deficiency, deficiency of essence, and external asthenia and sweating" (due to Wei Qi deficiency) are traditional contraindications. It has been noted to interfere with drugs for diabetes. It can cause allergic reactions in those who are allergic to ragweedRagweed
Ragweeds are flowering plants in the genus Ambrosia in the sunflower family Asteraceae. Common names include bitterweeds and bloodweeds....
, marigolds
Tagetes
Tagetes is a genus of 56 species of annual and perennial mostly herbaceous plants in the sunflower family . The genus is native to North and South America, but some species have become naturalized around the world. One species, T...
, daisies
Bellis perennis
Bellis perennis is a common European species of Daisy, often considered the archetypal species of that name. Many related plants also share the name "Daisy", so to distinguish this species from other daisies it is sometimes qualified as Common Daisy, Lawn Daisy or occasionally English daisy. It is...
, or related herbs (Asteraceae
Asteraceae
The Asteraceae or Compositae , is an exceedingly large and widespread family of vascular plants. The group has more than 22,750 currently accepted species, spread across 1620 genera and 12 subfamilies...
). It should not be used by pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding.
Biochemical analysis
There has been relatively little scientific study of cāng zhú. The popular medical site WebMDWebMD
WebMD is an American corporation which provides health information services. It was founded in 1996 by Jim Clark and Pavan Nigam as Healthscape, later Healtheon, and then acquired WebMD in 1999 to form Healtheon/WebMD...
states that there is "insufficient evidence" for use of Atractylodes against "indigestion, stomach ache, bloating, edema, diarrhea, loss of appetite, rheumatism, and other conditions," and also not sufficient evidence of the herb's safety. A small number of reports in the primary scientific literature support the possibility of several medical uses, but pending confirmation they must be evaluated cautiously.
Atractylodes rhizomes showed possible hepatoprotective activity in an in vitro assay of a hepatocyte cell line treated with carbon tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride
Carbon tetrachloride, also known by many other names is the organic compound with the formula CCl4. It was formerly widely used in fire extinguishers, as a precursor to refrigerants, and as a cleaning agent...
or galactosamine
Galactosamine
Galactosamine is a hexosamine derived from galactose with the molecular formula C6H13NO5. This amino sugar is a constituent of some glycoprotein hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone...
, with significant hepatoprotective activity from the isolated sesquiterpenoid components atractylon, beta-eudesmol, and hinesol. One review stated that the volatile oil contains the important chemical components, and that beta-eudesmol and hinesol are its active ingredients.
Compounds isolated from a hexane
Hexane
Hexane is a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C6H14; that is, an alkane with six carbon atoms.The term may refer to any of four other structural isomers with that formula, or to a mixture of them. In the IUPAC nomenclature, however, hexane is the unbranched isomer ; the other four structures...
extract of A. lancea included atractylochromene, a potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 3.3 micromolar) and cyclooxygenase
Cyclooxygenase
Cyclooxygenase is an enzyme that is responsible for formation of important biological mediators called prostanoids, including prostaglandins, prostacyclin and thromboxane. Pharmacological inhibition of COX can provide relief from the symptoms of inflammation and pain...
(IC50 0.6 micromolar); 2-[(2E)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl]-6-methyl-2,5-cyclohexadiene-1,4-dione, a selective inhibitor of lipoxygenase (IC50 0.2 micromolar); atractylon and osthol
Osthol
Osthol is a calcium channel blocker which is found in the plants Cnidium monnieri and Angelica pubescens....
, weak inhibitors of lipoxygenase, and atractylenolides I, II, and III. Atractylenolide I from bai zhú was reported to help with cachexia
Cachexia
Cachexia or wasting syndrome is loss of weight, muscle atrophy, fatigue, weakness, and significant loss of appetite in someone who is not actively trying to lose weight...
(a side effect of stomach cancer) and alter cytokine levels in a small non-blinded study. It was found to bind competitively
Competitive inhibition
Competitive inhibition is a form of enzyme inhibition where binding of the inhibitor to the active site on the enzyme prevents binding of the substrate and vice versa.-Mechanism:...
with lipopolysaccharide
Lipopolysaccharide
Lipopolysaccharides , also known as lipoglycans, are large molecules consisting of a lipid and a polysaccharide joined by a covalent bond; they are found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, act as endotoxins and elicit strong immune responses in animals.-Functions:LPS is the major...
for cell surface receptors with IC50 values of 5 to 7 micromolar for inhibiting TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and nitric oxide
Nitric oxide
Nitric oxide, also known as nitrogen monoxide, is a diatomic molecule with chemical formula NO. It is a free radical and is an important intermediate in the chemical industry...
production.
A few sources have reported antimicrobial activity for the herb when burned as an incense: one coil of antiseptic atractylodes incense per 45 cubic meters of space significantly reduced the transmission of viruses and microbes, with an effect similar to formalin or ultraviolet light exposure. A study of the phototoxicity of Chinese herbal medicines found that in mice treated with UVA ultraviolet radiation, A. japonica increased sunburn edema and formation of sunburn cells, and decreased local immune responses by decreasing epidermal Lagerhans cells and contact hypersensitivity; but it also exerted its phototoxic effects on Candida albicans
Candida albicans
Candida albicans is a diploid fungus that grows both as yeast and filamentous cells and a causal agent of opportunistic oral and genital infections in humans. Systemic fungal infections including those by C...
, a potential therapeutic use.
A prenylated dihydrobenzofuran derivative isolated from A. lancea, trans-2-hydroxyisoxypropyl-3-hydroxy-7-isopentene-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-carboxylic acid, was found to be cytotoxic to two cancer cell lines tested.
Other components of the rhizome include:
- taraxerol acetate and phi-taraxasteryl acetate
- beta-sitosterol
- stigmasterol and stigmasterol 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside
- beta-eudesmol
- atractylenolide IV
- daucosterol
- several acylsucrose derivatives in which sucrose is modified by three to four 3-methylbutanoyl moieties.
- additional sesquiterpenes
See also
- 苍术 entry in Hudong (Chinese) autotranslation
- 苍术 entry in Baike Baidu (Chinese) autotranslation