Coptis chinensis

Chinese goldthread
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Coptis
Species: C. chinensis
Binomial name
Coptis chinensis
Franch.[1]

The Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis) is a species of goldthread native to China.

Contents

Etymology

Chemical constituents

The rhizomes of Coptis chinensis are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and serve as a source for the isoquinoline alkaloids berberine,[3] palmatine, hydrastine, and coptisine among others.[4]

Traditional uses

Coptis chinensis is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called duǎn è huánglián (Chinese: 短萼黄连). In Chinese medicine it clears heat and drys dampness, 'purging fire to eliminate toxin'.

Pharmacology

A 1996 study found Coptis chinensis to be effective against the gastrointestinal parasite Blastocystis hominis.[5] A study in rats suggested Coptis and berberine (the primary alkaloid in Coptis) are potential agents for preventing intestinal injury.[6] Berberine may also have anti-atherosclerosis effects.[7] Berberine and basic extacts of Coptis chinensis also have demonstrated positive effects in an animal model of neurodegeneration.[8] Animal studies suggest Coptis chinensis rhizomes may help with the pain of irritable bowel syndrome.[9] In rats, it significantly reduced the serotonin (5HT) concentration from the distal colon.

Other uses

Because of the strong coloring quality of berberine, it has been traditionally used as a dye, especially for wool and other fibers.[10]

Links

WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants

Footnotes

  1. ^ USDA ARS/GRIN
  2. ^ a b Coptis chinensis in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
  3. ^ Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases [1]
  4. ^ Complementary and Alternative Healing University (Chinese Herbology)
  5. ^ Yang, L.Q.; Singh, Mulkit; Yap, E.H.; Ng, G.C.; Xu, H.X.; Sim, K.Y. (1996). "In vitro response of Blastocystis hominis against traditional Chinese medicine". Journal of Ethnopharmacology 55 (1): 35–42. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(96)01471-7. PMID 9121165. 
  6. ^ Zhang, Q; Piao, XL; Piao, XS; Lu, T; Wang, D; Kim, SW (2011). "Preventive effect of Coptis chinensis and berberine on intestinal injury in rats challenged with lipopolysaccharides". Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association 49 (1): 61–9. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2010.09.032. PMID 20932871. 
  7. ^ Wu, M; Wang, J; Liu, LT (2010). "Advance of studies on anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of berberine". Chinese journal of integrative medicine 16 (2): 188–92. doi:10.1007/s11655-010-0188-7. PMID 20473748. 
  8. ^ Zhang, J; Yang, JQ; He, BC; Zhou, QX; Yu, HR; Tang, Y; Liu, BZ (2009). "Berberine and total base from rhizoma coptis chinensis attenuate brain injury in an aluminum-induced rat model of neurodegenerative disease". Saudi medical journal 30 (6): 760–6. PMID 19526156. 
  9. ^ Tjong, Y; Ip, S; Lao, L; Fong, HH; Sung, JJ; Berman, B; Che, C (2011). "Analgesic effect of Coptis chinensis rhizomes (Coptidis Rhizoma) extract on rat model of irritable bowel syndrome". Journal of ethnopharmacology 135 (3): 754–61. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.04.007. PMC 3100428. PMID 21511022. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=3100428. 
  10. ^ Gibbs, Peter J.; Seddon, Kenneth R. (1998). Berberine and Huangbo: Ancient Colorants and Dyes. London: British Library. ISBN 978-0-7123-0649-2. 

See also

External links