Bupleurum
Botanical Description & Habitat
Bupleurum chinense, B. falcatum, B. kunmingense
Family
Umbelliferae
Common Names
Chinese thoroughwax
Tsai-Fu
Habitat
Throughout China and Asia
Medicinal Parts
Root
Historical Properties & Uses
Bupleurum root is one of the most popular Chinese herbs, and it is quickly becoming well-known and respected in Western circles. Bupleurum is used mainly as an anti-inflammatory and anti-hepatitis agent. It is also found in dozens of major Chinese herbal formulas.
Method of Action
The Pharmacology of Bupleurum
In routine screening trials, bupleurum exhibits sedative, antipyretic, anti-ulcerative, antitussive, and potent anti-inflammatory actions. It also prevents rises in blood cholesterol levels and helps reduce serum cholesterol levels.
Extracts from one bupleurum species showed the usual anti-inflammatory action, but was also a very potent inhibitor of Candida albicans.
Bupleurum has Significant Anti-inflammatory Action
The anti-inflammatory effects of bupleurum have been investigated fairly well. In typical anti-inflammatory screening trials the crude triterpenoid saikosides exhibited strong inhibition of the inflammatory response, formation of stress ulcers, and capillary hyperpermeability. Saikogenin A increased serum ACTH and corticosterone levels, suggesting the substance involved effects on the hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal gland system. It did not affect the direct release of corticosterone, but it facilitated the ACTH-induced release. Saikogenin A directly inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells, and also inhibited increased permeability after injection with acetic acid.
Bupleurum Inhibits the Formation of Kidney Disease
In animal studies, bupleurum (saikosaponin D) prevents the development of proteinuria under the influence of toxic drugs. Untreated animals experienced up to 50% dumping rates of protein, while treated animals was significantly lower.
Bupleurum has Hepatoprotective Properties
In carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity tests, bupleurum has shown a significant protective effect. The fatty degeneration around the central vein area and necrosis of the central lobule were moderately decreased by bupleurum.
Summary of Miscellaneous Bupleurum Actions
1. a moderate antipyretic effect
2. oral preparations can inhibit the increase in capillary permeability caused by histamine and serotonin
3. a bacteriostatic effect against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, influenza and poliomyelitis viruses
4. oral ingestion has tranquilizing effects in mice antitussive (centrally mediated)
5. slightly decreased blood pressure in animals, along with a negative inotropic effect on the heart
One of the problems with bupleurum is that the saikosides are largely insoluble in water. Testing always involves combining them with surfactants. But it has been learned the saponins in ginseng (saponins are, essentially, surfactants) remarkably increase the water solubility and biologically availability of saikosides in bupleurum. The Chinese have been combining bupleurum with ginseng for thousands of years. Other plants commonly found in bupleurum combinations also contain saponins.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Possible Interactions
The anti-inflammatory activity of bupleurum can be seriously inhibited by phenobarbital and certain other sedatives and hypnotics (chloral hydrate, meprobamate, etc.), as well as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, such as propanolol. Colchicine may increase sensitivity or enhance the response to this herb. Bupleurum should not be used with methotrimeprazine, a potent CNS depressant analgesic.
Comments
In the absence of other hard data, it may still be assumed observable interactions may occur between the many central nervous system drugs and the psychoactive principles in bupleurum.
There is evidence combining bactericidal and bacteriostatic agents will lower the effectiveness of the '-static' variety. How this finding applies to herbal antibiotics is not known.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Bupleurum is non-toxic, but may cause gastrointestinal distress in some.
Preparation & Administration
Use 3-12g as desired, either as tea or in capsules
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Abe, et. al. European Journal of Pharmacology, 120(2), 171-8, 1986.
Actes - Collog. Int. Plant. Aromat. Med. Maroc., 1st, 1985, p. 271-84.
An Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicinal Substances (Ahong Yao Da Ci Dian), Jiansu College of New Medicine, 1977, made available for English readers by Bensky, D. & Gamble, A. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, Eastland Press, Seattle, 1986.
Aonuma, S., Mimura, T. & Tarutani, M. Effects of coptis, scutellaria, rhubarb, and bupleurum on the serum cholesterol and phospholipids of rabbits. 77(12), 1303, 1958(7?).
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 33(7), 2849-2853, 1985.
Cheng, J.T. & Tsai, C.L. Biochem. Pharmacol., 35, 2483, 1986.
Chiu, H.F., Lin, C.C., Yang, C.C. & Yang, F. The pharmacological and pathological studies on several hepatic protective crude drugs from Taiwan(I). American Journal of Chinese medicine, 16(3-4), 127-137, 1988.
Kubota, T. & Hinch, H. Tetrahedron Letter, 303, 1968.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Shibata, M., Isomura, A., Inoue, T. & Nagai, M. Some pharmacological studies on the crude drugs possessing antiinflammatory properties-on the root of bupleurum and leaves of fig. Shoyakugaku Zasshi, 30, 62, 1976.
Takagi, K. & Shibata, M. Yakugaka Zasshi, 89, 1367, 1969.
Takagi, K. Pharmacological studies of some oriental medicines. Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea, 17, 1-8, 1973.
Yamamoto, M., A. Kumagai & Y. Yamamura. Arzneimittel Forschung, 25, 1021, 1975.
Yamamoto, M, A. Kumagi & Y. Yamamura. Structure and actions of saikosaponins isolated from Bupleurum faculatum. II Metabolic actions of saikosaponins, especially a plasma cholesterol-lowering action. Arzneimittel Forschung, 25, 1240, 1975.
Wang, C.J., J. Lai & S. Shiow. Protective effect of bupleurum falcatum L. extract on the hepatic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride. Nat. Sci. Coun. Mon. (R.O.C.), 11,6, 1983.
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