Codonopsis pilosula explained

Codonopsis pilosula, also known as Dangshen, is a perennial species of flowering plant in the bellflower family. It is native to Asia, where it grows in forests, meadows, and scrub.^[1]

Description

The plant produces twining stems up to 21NaN1 long. It has lateral branches with alternately arranged leaves and small branchlets with oppositely arranged leaves. The ovate leaves are up to 7.3cm (02.9inches) centimeters long and are usually coated with short hairs. Solitary flowers occur at the branch tips. The bell-shaped flower is about 2cm (01inches) long and wide and is yellow-green with purple spots inside. The fruit capsule is up to 2.4cm (00.9inches) long.^[1]

Uses

Traditional

The roots of C. pilosula are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are carrot-shaped or cylindrical, sometimes branched, and up to 30cm (10inches) long by 3cm (01inches) wide.^[1] They are a constituent of Radix Codonopsis, a mixture used in herbal medicine.^[2]

Medicinal

The traditional medicinal use of Dangshen has inspired medical studies investigating the root's capabilities to treat cardiovascular, pulmonary and digestive conditions. Research into the effect of Condonopsis pilosula extract on gastric ulcers in rats showed a reduction in gastric acid production and severity of stress-induced ulcers.^[3]

Phytochemicals

Codonopsis pilosula contains the beta-carboline based compound Perlolyrine.^[4]

Subspecies

There are 3 subspecies:^[1]

• Codonopsis pilosula subsp. handeliana
• Codonopsis pilosula subsp. pilosula
• Codonopsis pilosula subsp. tangshen - widely cultivated

External links

• Wang ZT, Ng TB, Yeung HW, Xu GJ . Immunomodulatory effect of a polysaccharide-enriched preparation of Codonopsis pilosula roots . Gen. Pharmacol. . 27 . 8 . 1347–50 . December 1996 . 9304404 . 10.1016/s0306-3623(96)00084-5.
• Codonopsis Plants, National Council for The Conservation of Plants and Gardens

Notes and References

1. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200022921 Codonopsis pilosula.
2. 19004445. 2009. Li. C. Y. Quality assessment of Radix Codonopsis by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance. Journal of Chromatography A. 1216. 11. 2124–9. Xu. H. X. Han. Q. B. Wu. T. S. 10.1016/j.chroma.2008.10.080.
3. 1997. Wang. Z.-T.. Investigations on the Protective Action of Condonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) Extract on Experimentally-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats . General Pharmacology: The Vascular System. 28. 3. 469–473. Du. Q.. Xu. G.-J.. Wang. R.-J.. Fu . D.-Z. . Ng . T.-B. . 10.1016/s0306-3623(96)00047-x. 9068993.
4. Perlolyrine: A β-Carboline Alkaloid from Codonopsis pilosula . 10.1055/s-2006-962513 . 1988 . Liu . Tun . Liang . Wenzao . Tu . Guoshi . Planta Medica . 54 . 5 . 472–473 . 17265328 . 85320780 .