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

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Li Zhi He (Semen Litchi)

Li Zhi He is also known as litchi seed. The sweet, astringent, slightly bitter and warm herb has been sued in TCM as Antioxidant, anti viral and anti mutagenic agent and to lower blood sugar, blood cholesterol, etc., as it regulates the Qi, stops pain, disperses cold and stagnation, etc., by enhancing the functions of liver and stomach channels.

Ingredients

1. Saponins
2. Tannins
3. 3-acetoin
4. 2, 3-butanediol
4. Copaene
5. Cis-caryophyllene
6. Allo-aromadendrene
7. Humulene
8. δ-cadinene
9. Calamenene
10. Etc.

Health Benefits

1. Antioxidant activity

In the study of four different polysaccharide-enriched fractions were isolated from litchi pulp tissue and partially purified by a stepwise method of ethyl alcohol (EtOH) precipitation, showed that These four polysaccharide-enriched fractions exhibited a dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity as shown by their DPPH radical, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical inhibition, chelating ability and reducing power. Among the different fractions, LFP-III showed the strongest scavenging activity against DPPH radical, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and chelating ability(1)

2. Immunomodulatory and anticancer activities

In the examination of the litchi pericarp extract was subjected to partition by hexane, ethyl acetate and water, for the isolation and purified from the ethyl acetate fraction by reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatographyof Epicatechin, proanthocyanidin B2 and proanthocyanidin B4, found that all these samples had much higher stimulatory effects on splenocyte proliferation than that of the reference, rutin. Epicatechin and the ethyl acetate fraction showed a significantly (P<0.05) stimulatory effect when the concentration was up to 12.5 micro g/ml. Proanthocyanidin B2 and proanthocyanidin B4 exhibited little lower stimulatory effects than epicatechin and the ethyl acetate fraction. The anti-breast cancer activities of epicatechin, proanthocyanidin B2, proanthocyanidin B4 and the ethyl acetate fraction were also evaluated. Epicatechin and proanthocyanidin B2 had lower cytotoxicities to human breast cancer cell MCF-7 and human embryolic lung fibroblast than paclitaxel(2)

3. Antiplatelet, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects

In the investigation of investigated the effects of a 70% ethanol extract from Litchi chinensis (LCE) on platelet aggregation, coagulation and fibrinolysis, found that LCE dose-dependently inhibited collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in rat platelet-rich plasma. LCE at 4 mg/ml had a maximal inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. In particular, the LCE 4 mg/ml-treated group showed almost complete inhibition in the collagen-induced platelet aggregation assay. It also significantly prolonged coagulation times, such as the activated partial thromboplastin and prothrombin time, in rat platelet-poor plasma. LCE also increased fibrinolytic activity in a dose-dependent manner(3)

4. Hepatoprotective effects

In the investigation of Gimjeng and Chakapat lychee (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) for theirs hepatoprotective activity on CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, indicated that Antioxidant properties of the Gimjeng and Chakapat lychees as evidenced by the vitamin C and phenolic compounds, anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-apoptosis could explain the hepatoprotective effects in CCl(4)-induced hepatotoxicity(4)

5. Anti proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells

In the observation of the effect of Semen Litchi containing serum on proliferation and apoptosis of HepG2 cells found that Semen Litchi can inhibit the proliferation of HepG2 cells, the acting mechanism may be concerned with cell apoptosis.(5)

6. Anti diabetes

In the investigation of the pharmacological mechanism of Semen Litchi water extract (SL) on enhancing insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic rats (T2DR) with insulin resistance (IR), showed that In T2DR-IR, SL lower concentrations of FSG, TC, TG, FFA, leptin, TNF-alpha and Fins (P < 0.05-0.01), increase ISI (P < 0.01), reform the hyperinsulinemia and insulin sensitivity, decrease the levels of BUN, Cr and the activities of ALT, AST, increase concentration of TP, A (P < 0.05-0.01), recover the hepatic and nephric functions, increase the activity of SOD and decrease content of MDA (P < 0.01)(6)

Side Effects

1, Do not use the herb in case of no symptoms of wind cold or in case of Qi deficiency

2. Do not use the in newborn, children, aur if you are pregnant or breast feeding
without consulting with your doctor or related field specialist.

3. Etc.