Holistic Health Articles and Research Related to Herbal Medicines, Foods and Phytochemicals : Chinese Herbs – Xing Ren or Bei Xing Ren (Semen pruni armeniacae)

Wednesday 6 November 2013

Chinese Herbs – Xing Ren or Bei Xing Ren (Semen pruni armeniacae)

Xing Ren or Bei Xing Ren or Ku Xing Ren is also known as Bitter Apricot Kernel. The warm, bitter and slightly toxic herb has been used in TCM to treat coughing and asthma, enhance bowl movement. moisten the intestine, etc, as it calms cough and asthma, enhances expeling of phlegm, stop conspitation, etc., by enhancing the function of lung and large intestine channels.

Ingredients
1. Amygdalin
2. Fat
3. Emulsin
4. Amygdalase
5. Prunase
6, Estrone
7. α-estradiol
8. Desmasterol
9. Vitamin E
10. Vitamin C
11. Vitamin P
12. Valcium
13. Phosphorus
14. Etc.

Health Benefits
1. Hepatic steatosis
In the investigation of the protective effect of 10 % and 20 % apricot-containing feed on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic steatosis and damage, found that Hepatocytes showed an oedematous cytoplasmic matrix, large lipid globules and degenerated organelles. The area of liver injury was found significantly decreased with apricot feeding. Malondialdehyde and total glutathione levels and catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly changed in the CCl4 group and indicated increased oxidative stress. Apricot feeding decreased this oxidative stress and ameliorated histological damage(1)
2. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities
In the study of the in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of methanol and water extracts of sweet and bitter apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernels, showed that in contrast to extracts of the bitter kernels, both the water and methanol extracts of sweet kernels have antioxidant potential. The highest percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (69%) and total phenolic content (7.9 +/- 0.2 microg/mL) were detected in the methanol extract of sweet kernels (Hasanbey) and in the water extract of the same cultivar, respectively. the methanol extracts of the bitter kernels were very potent against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (0.312 mg/mL MIC value). Significant anti-candida activity was also observed with the methanol extract of bitter apricot kernels against Candida albicans, consisting of a 14 mm in diameter of inhibition zone and a 0.625 mg/mL MIC value(2)
3. Sources of protein
In the evaluation of Hamawy apricot seed kernels (sweet), Amar apricot seed kernels (bitter) and treated Amar apricot kernels (bitterness removed) found that . The Protein Efficiency Ratio data and blood analysis results showed the Hamawy apricot seed kernels to be higher in biological value than treated apricot seed kernels. The Net Protein Ratio data which accounts for both weight, maintenance and growth showed the treated apricot seed kernels to be higher in biological value than both Hamawy and Amar kernels. The Net Protein Ratio for the last two kernels were nearly equal(3)
4. Anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects
In the study of the effect of selected indigenous medicinal plants of Pakistan evaluated on the secretion of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a bid to rationalize their medicinal use and to examine the anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects in gastric epithelial cells, the results of the study revealed anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects of selected medicinal plants which could partially validate the traditional use of these plants in GI disorders particularly associated with Helicobacter pylori. Furthermore, results obtained may lead to possible future candidates of chemoprevention against peptic ulcer or gastric cancer(4)
4. Etc.

Side Effects
1. The herb is toxic if overdose, as the presence of hydrogen cyanide
2. Do not use Bei Xing Ren on new born, children or if you are pregnant or breast feeding without first consult with your doctor or related field specialist.
3. Etc.