Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Chinese Herbs– Lai Fu Zi (Semen Raphani)

Lai Fu Zi is also known as Radish Seed. The acrid, sweet and neutral herb has been used in TCM to treat burping with acidic gas, cough and wheezing with phlegm, chronic asthmatic
bronchitis, etc., as it promotes digestion, transforms food retention and Phlegm, moves Qi downwards, etc., by enhancing the functions of spleen, stomach and lung channels.

Ingredients

1. Methyl- mercaptan

2. α,β-methylbutanol

3. β, γ－hexenol

4. Eruci acid

5. Linoleic acid

6. Linolenic acid

7. Polysaccharide

8. Phenol

9. Alkaloid,

10 Flavonoid

11. Phytosterols

12. Etc.

Health Benefits

1. Multipotent chemopreventive agent

In the investigation of the chemo0preventive effects of Kaiware Daikon (Raphanus sativus L.) extract, showed that 4-methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (GRH-ITC) and 4-methylsulfinyl-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (GRE-ITC), released by the GLs purified from Japanese (Kaiware) Daikon (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds and sprouts, had selective cytotoxic/apoptotic activity on three human colon carcinoma cell lines prompted further research on the potential chemopreventive role of a standardized Kaiware Daikon extract (KDE), containing 10.5% w/w GRH and 3.8% w/w GRE, compared to its isolated components(1)

2. Cytotoxic and antioxidant activity

In the interest in the chemopreventive potential of Brassica vegetables (cruciferae), particularly due to their content in glucosinolates (GL), which upon myrosinase hydrolysis release the corresponding isythiocyanates (ITC), as Japanese daikon ( Raphanus sativus L.) is possibly the vegetable with the highest per capita consumption within the Brassicaceae family, found that GRH-ITC has interesting antioxidant/radical scavenging properties, associated with a selective cytotoxic/apoptotic activity toward three human colon carcinoma cell lines, and very limited toxicity on normal human T-lymphocytes.

3. Cirrhotic ascites

In the investigation of the efficacy of Xiaozhang Tie, a traditional Chinese herbal cataplasm composed of dahuang (Rheum palmatum L.), laifuzi (Raphanus sativus L.), concocted gansui (Euphorbia kansui T.N. Liou ex T.P. Wang), chenxiang [Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg], dingxiang (Eugenia caryophyllata Thunb.), bingpian (Borneolum syntheticum) and shexiang (artificial Moschus), as an adjuvant in treating cirrhotic ascites, indicated that Xiaozhang Tie as an adjuvant to primary therapy of cirrhotic ascites is safe and shows a remarkable efficacy on relieving abdominal distention(3)

4. Anti diabetic effect

In the study of study screening the glycemic attributes of Raphanus sativus L. (Brassicaceae) root juice in normal as well as sub- and mild-diabetic models, found that the dose of 300 mg kg(-1)bw was identified as the most effective dose which lowers the blood glucose level (BGL) by 33.4% (p < 0.001) at 6 h during fasting blood glucose (FBG) studies in normal rats. However, the glucose tolerance test (GTT) revealed the maximum reduction of 15.9% (p < 0.001) in BGL at 3 h in normal rats with the same dose, whereas the reduction observed was by 23.8 and 28.3% (p < 0.001) in sub- and mild-diabetic rats, respectively, at the same interval of time(4)

5. Antioxidant and choleretic properties

In the examination of the Antioxidant and choleretic properties of Raphanus sativus L. sprout (Kaiware Daikon) extract, showed that contribution of GRH to KDE’s antioxidant activity was considered in two chemical assays (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and Briggs-Rauscher methods). The total phenol assay by Folin-Ciocalteu reagent was performed to quantify the reducing capacity of KDE. Finally, on the basis of the putative choleretic properties of antioxidant plant extracts, the effect on the bile flow of KDE administration was investigated in an animal experimental model. The findings showed that KDE has antioxidant properties and significantly induced bile flow in rats administered 1.5 g/kg of body weight for 4 consecutive days(5)

6. Etc.

Side Effects

1. Do not use the herb in case of Qi and spleen deficiency

2. No not use Lai Fu Zi in newborn, children or if you are pregnant or hreast feeding without first consult with your doctor or related field specialist.

3. Etc.