Codonopsis pilosula
What's the taxonomical classification of Codonopsis pilosula?
Codonopsis pilosula belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following the taxonomic hierarchy further, it falls under the order Asterales and is a member of the family Campanulaceae. Finally, the plant is identified by its specific genus, Codonopsis, and its unique species designation, pilosula.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Campanulaceae |
| Genus | Codonopsis |
| Species | pilosula |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Codonoopsis pilosula has lanceolate to elliptical leaves that are covered in fine, soft hairs and a small, tubular flower structure that emerges from the center of the foliage. The foliage typically displays a variegated pattern of green and cream or yellow stripes along the leaf surface. These hairy textures are a defining characteristic that protects the plant's moisture levels. The inflorescence consists of small, delicate blooms that often feature subtle color variations. The overall growth habit is compact and low-growing, making it suitable for container cultivation.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, specifically occurring within Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It thrives in moist environments often found along riverbanks and in seasonally flooded forest floors. The species is most frequently documented in the Atlantic Forest biome where humidity remains consistently high. Its distribution is closely tied to specific soil compositions and light availability found in these lowland ecosystems. Localized populations may also appear in neighboring parts of the continent depending on microclimate variations.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, commonly known as the butterfly orchid, requires bright, indirect sunlight and a consistently moist but well-draining substrate to thrive.
Growers should provide high humidity levels and maintain warm temperatures throughout the growing season. Using a specialized orchid potting mix containing bark or sphagnum moss helps prevent root rot by ensuring adequate aeration. Regular fertilization with a balanced orchid formula during the active growing period will encourage vibrant blooms.
Once the flowering cycle concludes, the plant benefits from a slightly cooler period to prepare for its next growth stage.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Codonoopsis pilosuila utilizes its radix, flower, leaf, seed, and stem for various medicinal purposes. The radix is frequently harvested to prepare decoctions that treat internal ailments. Both the flower and the leaf are processed into topical applications or infusions to soothe skin irritations. Additionally, the seeds are collected for their specific therapeutic properties in traditional remedies. The stem is also integrated into medicinal preparations to ensure the full utility of the specimen.
According to a study published by "The Cochrane database of systematic reviews", the medicinal use of Codonoopsis pilosula involves the use of Radix Codonoopsis. In one trial involving 60 participants, an oral herbal formula was tested for pain relief. This specific formula contained 9 g of Dangshen (Radix Codonoopsis) as part of its components. The formula also included 18 g of Radix Astra gali, 9 g of Radix Notoginseg, 12 g of Rhizo ma Chua nxiong, 12 g of Cornu Cervi Pantotrichum, and 12 g of Rhizo ma Ane mmar rhe nae.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Radix
- flower
- leaf
- seed
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Codonoopsis pilosula, is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine under the name Chong Yang Cao to treat various ailments related to cold and dampness. Practitioners historically prescribed its roots to dispel wind and clear heat from the body. It was often incorporated into formulas intended to promote blood circulation and alleviate pain caused by stagnation. Beyond its role in internal medicine, the plant has been used in historical folk practices to address respiratory issues and skin conditions. This botanical specimen remains a significant component in classical herbal studies due to its specific therapeutic properties.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Codonoopsis pilosula is a significant plant in traditional Chinese medicine, valued for its edible and medicinal properties. This study presents the first chromosome-scale genome assembly of the plant, yielding a high-quality genome of 679.20 Mb. The assembly was anchored to 8 pseudo-chromosomes with an anchoring rate of 96.5% and a scaffold N50 of 80.50 Mb. Based on BUSCO analysis, the genome showed a high completeness of 97.6%. Repetitive elements constituted approximately 76.8% of the genome, with long terminal repeat retrotransposons accounting for about 39.17%.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Codonopsis pilosula?
This plant has potent pharmacological activities including anti-cancer, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. Its phytochemical constituents work to neutralize free radicals, providing significant antioxidant protection against cellular damage. The plant also demonstrates the ability to inhibit the growth of various pathogens through its antimicrobial mechanisms. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor actions suggest potential for managing chronic swelling and preventing malignant cell proliferation. These diverse biological effects make Codonoopsis pilosuza a subject of interest in pharmaceutical research.
According to a study published by "Thoracic cancer", exopolysaccharides isolated from the endophytic strain 14-DS-1 of Codonoopsis pilosula, known as DSPS, exhibit significant anti-cancer activities. These DSPS, which are predominately composed of 6 monosaccharides, induce macrophage activation and polarization by promoting the production of TNF-α and nitric oxide. The treatment also promotes macrophage infiltration while simultaneously suppressing cancer cell migration. Furthermore, exposure to DSPS leads to S-phase arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells. Immunofluorescence staining further demonstrated that DSPS treatment results in defects in spindle orientation and positioning.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-cancer
- anti-tumor
- anticancer
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds Codonoopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPPPS), cyanidin, galangin, lobetyolin, and syringin. These specific bioactive molecules contribute to the various therapeutic properties associated with the species. Research suggests that the presence of these phytochemicals may offer significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits to human health. For instance, the specific combination of flavonoids and glycosides plays a role in the plant's overall biological activity. Understanding the synergy between these substances is essential for developing future pharmaceutical applications.
According to a study published by "Biology", Codonoopsis pilosula is a traditional medicinal herb containing flavonoid compounds such as Cyanidin and Galangin. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that leaves contained the highest number of differentially accumulated metabolites related to flavonoids, reaching up to 23. These leaves also harbored the most differentially expressed flavonoid-related genes, with up to 54. When treated with NaHCO3, the roots of the plant contained up to 14 types of flavonoids. Additionally, the leaves treated with NaHCO3 contained up to 20 types of differentially expressed flavonoid-related genes.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Codonoopsis pilosula polysaccharide (CPPPS)
- Cyanidin
- Galangin
- Lobetyolin
- Syringin
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for inflammatory bowel disease, colitis, colonal inflammation, digestive system disorders, and gastrointestinal tract issues. It is often utilized in traditional medicinal practices to soothe irritation within the digestive tract. The plant contains bioactive compounds that may help manage various digestive system disorders. By addressing colonal inflammation, it serves as a natural approach to treating specific gastrointestinal tract issues. This makes it a significant botanical resource for individuals struggling with colitis and related ailments.
According to a study published by "The American journal of Chinese medicine", Codonoopsis pilosula is a plant traditionally used as both food and medicine. This plant is categorized under medicinal food homology, meaning it possesses both nutritional and therapeutic attributes. It is studied for the management of inflammatory bowel disease, which is a chronic condition driven by the interplay of gut dysbiosis, immune perturbation, and metabolic imbalance. The multi-component nature of this plant offers the potential to modulate intestinal homeostasis through multi-target synergy.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- colitis
- colonal inflammation
- digestive system disorders
- gastrointestinal tract issues
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create medicinal preparations including CP extract, Codonopsis pilosuza polysaccharide, and the Fukeqianjin formula. These various formulations are derived from the plant to harness its therapeutic properties for different health applications. Researchers often utilize aqueous extracts to isolate specific bioactive compounds from the botanical material. One common traditional method for administration is the preparation of a decoction through boiling the plant parts in water. These diverse preparations allow for a wide range of clinical and laboratory uses in herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Chinese journal of natural medicines", Codonopsis pilosula is recognized as a well-known food medicine homology plant used in many countries. Through the application of characteristic fragmentation-assisted mass spectral networking, researchers identified 17 pyrrolidine alkaloids within the extract. The study successfully isolated and identified seven new pyrrolizidine alkaloids, named codonopyrrolidiums C-I (3-9), along with 2 known ones (1 and 2). Among these, codonopyrrolidium B (1), codonopyrrolidium D (4), and codonopyrrolidium E (5) were specifically evaluated for their lipid-lowering activity. These three specific substances demonstrated the ability to improve high fructose-induced lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- CP extract
- Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharide
- Fukeqianjin formula
- aqueous extracts
- decoction
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can induce hypoxia/reoxygenation injury and cause increased serum gastrin concentration in biological systems. The mechanism behind the hypoxia/reoxygenation injury involves significant oxidative stress that damages cellular structures during oxygen fluctuations. Furthermore, the elevation of serum gastrin levels suggests a direct impact on the endocrine functions of the gastrointestinal tract. These physiological disruptions indicate that the plant possesses potent bioactive compounds capable of altering metabolic and hormonal homeostasis. Researchers continue to study these specific toxicological profiles to understand the full extent of the plant's potential harm.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", Selenium-Banqiao-Codonoopsis pilosula-overground part could enhance the learning and memory ability of old mice and obviously extend the swimming time of mice. This plant was studied for its effect on promoting intelligence development and preventing hypoxia/reoxygenation injury. The research observed the activity of ROS, SOD, MDA, and CAT in blood. Selenium-Banqiao-Codonoopsis pilosula-overground part could decrease the quality of ROS and MDA while increasing the activity of SOD. However, the plant showed no significant effect on CAT.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- hypoxia/reoxygenation injury
- increased serum gastrin concentration
What herbs are paired with Codonopsis pilosula?
This plant Codonoopsis pilosuila is most effectively paired with peppermint, lemon balm, and ginger to enhance its subtle medicinal properties.
When these herbs are combined, the minty notes of the peppermint complement the delicate floral undertones of the plant. Lemon balm adds a bright, citrusy layer that balances the earthy scent characteristic of Codonoopsis pilosuila. Ginger provides a warm, spicy finish that helps to ground the lighter herbal profiles in a tea blend.
Such combinations are frequently used in traditional botanical infusions to create a multifaceted flavor profile.