Rhus chinensis
Encyclopedia
Rhus chinensis, the Chinese sumac or nutgall tree, is a plant species in the genus Rhus.
The species is used to produce gall
s, called Chinese gall, Galla Chinensis or Wu Bei Zi (五倍子) in Chinese, which are rich in gallotannin
s, a type of hydrolysable tannins. The infestation by Chinese sumac aphid
s (Melaphis chinensis
Bell) can lead to a gall which is valued as a commercial product. Chinese galls are used in Chinese medicine to treat cough
s, diarrhea
, night sweats, dysentry and to stop intestinal and uterine bleeding.
Rhus chinensis compounds possess strong antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities. The gall of Rhus chinensis, Galla chinensi, has long been considered to possess many medicinal properties.
Gallic acid
(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid),isolated from Rhus chinensis, induces apoptosis
in human monocytic lymphoma cell line U937 and may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent against lymphoma
.
The gall
of Rhus chinensis inhibits alpha-glucosidase
activity.
In Australia "Rhus" is the common name for Toxicodendron
succedaneum a prohibited, noxious weed in some States.
Plants for a Future
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhus%20chinensis
The species is used to produce gall
Gall
Galls or cecidia are outgrowths on the surface of lifeforms caused by invasion by other lifeforms, such as parasites or bacterial infection. Plant galls are abnormal outgrowths of plant tissues and can be caused by various parasites, from fungi and bacteria, to insects and mites...
s, called Chinese gall, Galla Chinensis or Wu Bei Zi (五倍子) in Chinese, which are rich in gallotannin
Gallotannin
A gallotannin is a class of molecules belonging to the hydrolysable tannins. Gallotannins are polymers formed when gallic acid, a polyphenol monomer, esterifies and binds with the hydroxyl group of a polyol carbohydrate such as glucose.-Metabolism:...
s, a type of hydrolysable tannins. The infestation by Chinese sumac aphid
Aphid
Aphids, also known as plant lice and in Britain and the Commonwealth as greenflies, blackflies or whiteflies, are small sap sucking insects, and members of the superfamily Aphidoidea. Aphids are among the most destructive insect pests on cultivated plants in temperate regions...
s (Melaphis chinensis
Melaphis chinensis
Melaphis chinensis, the Chinese sumac aphid, is an aphid species in the genus Melaphis.The species produce galls on the Chinese sumac . The gall is called Chinese gall, Galla Chinensis or wu bei zi in Chinese. It is rich in gallotannins, a type of hydrolysable tannins...
Bell) can lead to a gall which is valued as a commercial product. Chinese galls are used in Chinese medicine to treat cough
Cough
A cough is a sudden and often repetitively occurring reflex which helps to clear the large breathing passages from secretions, irritants, foreign particles and microbes...
s, diarrhea
Diarrhea
Diarrhea , also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having three or more loose or liquid bowel movements per day. It is a common cause of death in developing countries and the second most common cause of infant deaths worldwide. The loss of fluids through diarrhea can cause dehydration and...
, night sweats, dysentry and to stop intestinal and uterine bleeding.
Rhus chinensis compounds possess strong antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities. The gall of Rhus chinensis, Galla chinensi, has long been considered to possess many medicinal properties.
Gallic acid
Gallic acid
Gallic acid is a trihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid, a type of organic acid, also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, found in gallnuts, sumac, witch hazel, tea leaves, oak bark, and other plants. The chemical formula is C6H23COOH. Gallic acid is found both free and as part of...
(3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid),isolated from Rhus chinensis, induces apoptosis
Apoptosis
Apoptosis is the process of programmed cell death that may occur in multicellular organisms. Biochemical events lead to characteristic cell changes and death. These changes include blebbing, cell shrinkage, nuclear fragmentation, chromatin condensation, and chromosomal DNA fragmentation...
in human monocytic lymphoma cell line U937 and may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent against lymphoma
Lymphoma
Lymphoma is a cancer in the lymphatic cells of the immune system. Typically, lymphomas present as a solid tumor of lymphoid cells. Treatment might involve chemotherapy and in some cases radiotherapy and/or bone marrow transplantation, and can be curable depending on the histology, type, and stage...
.
The gall
Gall
Galls or cecidia are outgrowths on the surface of lifeforms caused by invasion by other lifeforms, such as parasites or bacterial infection. Plant galls are abnormal outgrowths of plant tissues and can be caused by various parasites, from fungi and bacteria, to insects and mites...
of Rhus chinensis inhibits alpha-glucosidase
Alpha-glucosidase
Alpha-glucosidase is a glucosidase acting upon 1,4-alpha bonds. This is in contrast to beta-glucosidase.The term maltase, which refers to an enzyme cleaving maltose, is nearly equivalent.Types include:* Acid alpha-glucosidase* neutral** GANAB** GANC...
activity.
In Australia "Rhus" is the common name for Toxicodendron
Toxicodendron
Toxicodendron a genus of flowering plants in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae. It contains woody trees, shrubs and vines, including poison ivy, poison oak, and the lacquer tree. All members of the genus produce the skin-irritating oil urushiol, which can cause a severe allergic reaction...
succedaneum a prohibited, noxious weed in some States.
External links
Plants for a Future
http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rhus%20chinensis