Rhus chinensis explained

Rhus chinensis, the Chinese sumac or nutgall tree, is a deciduous shrub or small tree in the genus Rhus. Growing to 6m (20feet) tall, it has downy shoots and leaves comprising several leaflets. These turn red in autumn before falling.[1]

The plant is common in East and South Asia, and is cultivated as an ornamental in temperate climates.

Galls produced on the species that are called Chinese gall (Galla chinensis), are a source of gallotannins,[2] [3] molecules of hydrolyzable tannins. Infestation of the tree by Chinese sumac aphids (Melaphis chinensis Bell) may lead to production of a gall that is valued as a commercial product in China.

Chinese galls are used in traditional Chinese medicine for coughs, diarrhea, night sweats, dysentery, and intestinal and uterine bleeding.[4] Some research has suggested that chemical compounds found in Rhus chinensis possess in vitro antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal, and antioxidant activities.[5] The aqueous extracts of the gall also inhibit alpha-glucosidase activity in vitro.[6]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rhus chinensis . RHS . 28 August 2021.
  2. 10.1016/j.lwt.2009.03.004. Identification and structure–activity relationship of gallotannins separated from Galla chinensis. LWT - Food Science and Technology. 42. 7. 1289. 2009. Tian. Fang. Li. Bo. Ji. Baoping. Zhang. Guizhi. Luo. Yangchao.
  3. 10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.07.062. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of consecutive extracts from Galla chinensis:The polarity affects the bioactivities. Food Chemistry. 113. 173–179. 2009. Tian. Fang. Li. Bo. Ji. Baoping. Yang. Jinhua. Zhang. Guizhi. Chen. Yang. Luo. Yangchao.
  4. "Aphid", Henry G. Stroyan, McGraw-Hill Encyclopedia of Science & Technology, 8th Edition, 1997,
  5. 20564459. 2010. Djakpo. O. Rhus chinensis and Galla Chinensis--folklore to modern evidence: Review. Phytotherapy Research. 24. 12. 1739–47. Yao. W. 10.1002/ptr.3215. 7167973.
  6. 12639753. 2003. Shim. Y. J. Inhibitory effect of aqueous extract from the gall of Rhus chinensis on alpha-glucosidase activity and postprandial blood glucose. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 85. 2–3. 283–7. Doo. H. K. Ahn. S. Y. Kim. Y. S. Seong. J. K. Park. I. S. Min. B. H. 10.1016/s0378-8741(02)00370-7.

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