Wednesday 13 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Feng Fang (Radix Saposhnikoviae divaricatae)

Feng Fang is also known as Saposhniovia divaricate root. The sweet, warn and acrid herb has been used in TCM as antipyretic, antibiotoc, antiviral agent and to treat joint and muscle pain, blurry vision and headache, etanus, relieve pain, etc., as it expels Wind, releases the Exterior, disperses Dampness, calms pain, etc., by enhancing the functions of bladder, liver and spleen channels.

Ingredients
1. Fangfengalpyrimidine
2. Clemiscosin A
3. 5-hydroxy-8-methoxypsoralen
4. Sec-O-glucosylhamaudol
5. Hamaudol
6. Nodakenetin
7. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin
8. 4′-O-beta-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol
9. 5-O-methylvisamminol
10. Marmesin
11. Beta-sitosterol
12. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Antioxidative activity
In the investigation of the antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turez.) Schischk, found that Saposhnikovia polysaccharides had some functions of scavenging free radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and scavenging effects on DPPH* and OH* were especially significant. A-SPS had better effect among different Saposhnikovia polysaccharides, and the scavenging rate of DPPH* and OH* could approach to 70% when the experimental concentration was 8 mg/ml, according to “[Studies on the antioxidative activity of polysaccharides from radix Saposhnikoviae].[Article in Chinese]” by Zhang ZQ, Tian YJ, Zhang J.(1) 2. Analgesic effects
In the investigation of the analgesic components of Saposhnikovia root (Saposhnikovia divaricata Schischkin; Umbelliferae) identified to be chromones, coumarins, polyacetylenes and 1-acylglycerols, found that the most potent analgesia was observed in chromones such as divaricatol, ledebouriellol and hamaudol, which inhibited writhing inhibition at an oral dose of 1 mg/kg in mice. Acylglycerols also showed inhibition significantly at a dose of 5 mg/kg. In some pharmacological tests using sec-O-glucosylhamaudol, the compound showed analgesia by the tail pressure and the Randall & Selitto methods, and its writhing inhibition was not reversed by naloxone, according to “Analgesic components of saposhnikovia root (Saposhnikovia divaricata)” by Okuyama E, Hasegawa T, Matsushita T, Fujimoto H, Ishibashi M, Yamazaki M.(2)
3. Anti-inflammatory effects
In the investigation of the effects of volatie oil of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq herb and Saposhnikovia divaricata Schischke root (OSS) on proinflammatory cytokine expression and regulation in rats, found that volatie oil of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq herb and Saposhnikovia divaricata Schischke root significantly inhibited the expression of CD54, the activation of NF-kappaB p65, and the transcription of NF-kappaB p65 mRNA, according to “[Effects of volatie oil of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq herb and Saposhnikovia divaricata Schischke root on proinflammatory cytokine expression and regulation].[Article in Chinese]” by Ge WH, Guo JY, Shen YJ, Chen ML, Shi SL, Han YH, Lin J.(3)
4. Etc.

Side Effects
1. Do not use the herb in case of blood or yin deficiency with headache caused by heat
2. Do not use the herb in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without consulting with the related field specialist.
Sources
(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18619277
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11217101
(3) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17993000

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