Corydalis yanhusuo
What's the taxonomical classification of Corydalis yanhusuo?
Corydalis yanhusuo belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is categorized within the phylum Streptophyta. Moving through its hierarchical classification, it is placed in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. It falls under the order Ranunculales and is a member of the family Papaveraceae. Within this family, it is classified under the genus Corydalis, with the specific identifier being the species yanhusuo.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Ranunculales |
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Genus | Corydalis |
| Species | yanhusuo |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Corydalis yanhusuo has a fleshy, tuberous rhizome that serves as its primary storage organ, supporting a herbaceous plant structure with deeply pinnate or bipinnate leaves. The foliage features multiple leaflets that are often divided into smaller segments, giving the plant a delicate and lacy appearance. During its flowering stage, it produces terminal racemes of zygomorphic flowers that are typically yellow or pale in color. These flowers possess a distinctive nectar-producing spur that characterizes the genus. The plant's overall morphology is adapted for seasonal growth cycles within moist, shaded forest environments.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to China, where it is primarily distributed across provinces such as Anhui, Fujian, Gansu, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Zhejiang, and Sichuan. It typically inhabits moist environments found in mountainous or hilly regions. These plants are often located in shaded areas such as forest edges or along stream banks. The specific altitudinal range and soil preferences within these provinces dictate its local density. Consequently, its presence is most concentrated in the temperate and subtropical zones of eastern and central China.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter and a cool, moist environment with dappled shade to thrive.
Growers should maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season while ensuring that water does not pool around the rhizomes to prevent rot. Spring is the ideal time for planting, as the species benefits from the natural cooling of the earth. Because it is a perennial, it establishes a robust root system that can withstand seasonal temperature fluctuations.
Regular mulching helps regulate soil temperature and suppresses competing weeds during the active growth period.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Corydalis yanhusuo is utilized medicinally through its rhizoma, bulb, roots, tuber, and seed components. The underground rhizoma and bulb serve as the primary sources for extracting alkaloids used in traditional remedies. These structures, which are often referred to as the roots or tuber depending on their specific morphology, contain the highest concentration of active medicinal compounds. Practitioners also utilize the seed in certain preparations to achieve specific therapeutic effects. Each of these plant parts contributes unique chemical profiles to the overall medicinal application of the species.
According to a study published by "Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica", the medicinal use of Corydalis yanhusuo involves the oral administration of the total alkaloid extraction of Rhizoma Corydalis. This extraction contains components such as tetrahydropalmatine (THP) and dehydrocorydaline (DHC). For THP, the AUC values were (1.90 +/- 0.04), (2.58 +/- 0.08), and (4.34 +/- 0.19) mg x L(-1) h for low, medium, and high doses, respectively. Regarding DHC, the concentrations in plasma for low and medium doses were too low to be detected, but the AUC of the high dose was (0.0896 +/- 0.0002) mg x L(-1) h.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Rhizoma
- bulb
- roots
- tuber
- seed
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Corydalis yanhusuo has been utilized for centuries within Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat pain, blood stagnation, and menstrual irregularities. Practitioners historically prepared the rhizomes to address various ailments involving the liver and gallbladder meridians. It was commonly prescribed in decoctions to alleviate acute abdominal pain and to promote the movement of stagnant blood. Beyond its use in formulaic combinations, historical applications often focused on its sedative and analgesic properties to manage discomfort. These traditional methods rely on the plant's ability to regulate energy flow and relieve physical tension throughout the body.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Corydalis yanhusuo is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine that has been commonly applied as an analgesic agent in clinic using for thousands of years. Recent research showed that the quaternary ammonium alkaloids from Corydalis yanhusuo have a significant effect on myocardial ischemia. Chemical fingerprints of quaternary ammonium alkaloids were extracted from Corydalis yanhusuo samples from 37 different sources and identified using UPLC-Q-TOF MS. The protective effects of these 37 samples with respect to H9C2 cell hypoxia-reoxygenation were detected by MTT assays. The results showed that the source of the Corydalis yanhusuo has an important influence on both the chemical fingerprint and efficacy.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Corydalis yanhusuo?
This plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, and gastroprotective pharmacological activities. Its bioactive alkaloids work to reduce pain and swelling by modulating various inflammatory pathways in the body. Researchers have also observed its ability to combat oxidative stress through potent antioxidant mechanisms. Additionally, the plant demonstrates potential in inhibiting tumor cell growth and protecting the gastric mucosa from damage. These diverse properties make it a significant subject for pharmacological research and therapeutic development.
According to a study published by "The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology", Corydalis yanhusuo has therapeutic effects on cardiovascular diseases and an analgesic effect with l-tetrahydropalmatine as the main active principle. In a rat model, the ethanolic extract was orally administered at doses of 50, 100, or 200 mg kg(-1) daily starting from the 7th day after surgery. Following 8 weeks of treatment, the plant led to a significant reduction in infarct size and improved cardiac function by lowering left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and elevating +/-dp/dt(max). Additionally, Corydalis yanhusuo significantly reduced the left ventricular (LV)/body weight ratio and the lung/body weight ratio while inhibiting neurohormonal activation. These results indicate that the plant exerts salutary effects on heart failure induced by myocardial infarction in rats.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-tumor
- anti-oxidant
- gastroprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse array of bioactive isoquinoline alkaloids, specifically berberine, palmatine, corydaline, glaucine, and protopine. These medicinal compounds are primarily concentrated within the rhizomes of the species. Each constituent plays a distinct role in the plant's pharmacological profile, contributing to its traditional uses in various medicinal practices. Research suggests that the synergistic interaction of these alkaloids may provide significant therapeutic potential. Scientists continue to study these specific molecules to better understand their individual effects on human health.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Corydalis yanhusuo contains major alkaloids such as berberine and dehydrocorydaline. Among the extracts tested, the chloroform extract known as CECY showed the maximum in vitro antibacterial activity. Dehydrocorydaline is an active alkaloid compound isolated from Corydalus yanhusuo that warrants further investigation for its potential anti-H. pylori activity. Berberine and dehydrocorydaline exhibited obvious anti-H. pylori activity with a MIC of 25 and 12.5 μg/mL, respectively. The study evaluated three extracts including WECY, EECY, and CECY to identify these bioactive constituents.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 1. Berberine
- 2. Protopine
- 3. Palmatine
- 4. Glaucine
- 5. Corydaline
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for the treatment of acute pain, chronic pain, inflammatory pain, neuropathic pain, and general pain. It contains various alkaloids that interact with the central nervous system to alleviate physical discomfort. These bioactive compounds help reduce the sensation of pain across different physiological mechanisms. Research suggests its efficacy in managing both sudden injuries and long-term suffering. By targeting specific pathways, it serves as a natural approach to addressing diverse painful conditions.
According to a study published by "Pharmaceuticaals (Basel, Switzerland)", Corydalis yanhusuo has been used as an analgesic in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The extract has been shown to promote analgesia in animal models of acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain. It may be advantageous to manage addiction by inhibiting the dopamine D2 receptor. When coadministered with morphine, YHS inhibits morphine tolerance, dependence, and addiction. Furthermore, in animals treated for several days with morphine, YHS can reverse morphine dependence and addiction.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- acute pain
- chronic pain
- inflammatary pain
- neuropathic pain
- pain
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Corydalis yanhusuo, a medicinal herb used to create various preparations including Yanhusuo extraction, minute powder of processed rhizome with vinegar, decoction, external patch, and 90% ethanol extract. The minute powder of the vinegar-processed rhizome is frequently utilized to enhance its analgesic properties. For systemic relief, practitioners often administer a traditional decoction prepared by boiling the rhizome in water. Topical applications can be achieved through the use of an external patch containing the plant's active components. Furthermore, laboratory and pharmaceutical applications often utilize a 90% ethanol extract to isolate specific alkaloids.
According to a study published by "Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica", a pharmacokinetic study was conducted on the total alkaloid extraction of Rhizoma Corydalis (Yanhusuo) after oral administration. The study utilized an LC-MS/MS method to quantify tetrahydropalmatine (THP) and dehydrocorydaline (DHC) with a linearity range of 1-1 000 ng x mL(-1). For THP, the AUC values were (1.90 +/- 0.04), (2.58 +/- 0.08), and (4.34 +/- 0.19) mg x L(-1) h for low, medium, and high doses, respectively. Regarding DHC, the concentrations in plasma for low and medium doses were too low to be detected, but the AUC for the high dose was (0.0896 +/- 0.0002) mg x L(-1) h. The method used for these components achieved low limits of quantification of 1 ng x mL(-1).
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Yanhusuo extraction
- minute powder of processed rhizome with vinegar
- decoction
- external patch
- 90% ethanol extract
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause severe health issues including arsenic toxicity, liver damage, muscle tremors, inhibiting platelet aggregation, and activating blood. The presence of toxic alkaloids may lead to significant liver damage if consumed in improper amounts. Users may also experience neurological symptoms such as muscle tremors. Because the plant's components act on the circulatory system, it can result in inhibiting platelet aggregation and activating blood. These combined effects pose serious risks to the body's internal stability and detoxification processes.
According to a study published by "Journal of trace elements in medicine and biology : organ of the Society for Minerals and Trace Elements (GMS)", the total As content in the decoction of Corydalis yanhusuo did not meet the safety standard. However, regarding the bioaccessible As contents, the plant did not exceed the daily permissible intake of As of 0.12mg. There is no risk of adverse health effects resulting from an overdose of Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn for almost all individuals by ingesting the recommended maximum daily dose. The study notes that the total content of each element did not show linearity with its bioaccessible content. This research suggests that the risk of toxicity might be overestimated when only the total concentration is considered instead of the bioaccessible content.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- arsenic toxicity
- liver damage
- muscle tremors
- inhibiting platelet aggregation
- activating blood
What herbs are paired with Corydalis yanhusuo?
This plant is frequently paired with herbs like Radix Bupleuri, Radix Glycyrrhizae, and Radix Paeoniae Alba to enhance its analgesic and sedative properties.
These combinations are often formulated to address various neurological and pain-related conditions within traditional medicinal frameworks. By combining Corydalis yanhusuo with herbs that regulate liver qi or calm the spirit, practitioners aim to balance its potent moving effects. Such synergistic pairings help to mitigate potential side effects while maximizing the efficacy of the sedative components.
These specific herbal formulas are carefully adjusted based on the individual patient's symptoms and constitutional needs.