Dipsacus asper
What's the taxonomical classification of Dipsacus asper?
Dipsacus asper belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. Its hierarchical lineage continues through the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, placing it under the order Dipsacales. As a member of the family Caprifoliaceae, this plant is further categorized into the genus Dipsacus, ultimately defining its specific identity as the species asper.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Dipsacales |
| Family | Caprifoliaceae |
| Genus | Dipsacus |
| Species | asper |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Dipsacus asper has an erect, branched stem that typically reaches heights of 20 to 60 centimeters and is covered in coarse, spreading hairs. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem, featuring an ovate to lanceolate shape with serrated margins and a rough, scabrid texture. Small, tubular flowers emerge from terminal or axillary inflorescences, often appearing in dense, head-like clusters. These blossoms are usually white or pale pink and possess a distinct calyx with narrow, pointed lobes. The plant's overall structure is characterized by its rugged, hairy appearance which helps it adapt to its rocky habitats.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the mountainous regions of Central and Southern Europe, specifically ranging from the Alps through the Balkan Peninsula. It thrives in high-altitude environments such as rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and subalpine scrublands. Its distribution follows specific limestone-rich habitats found across countries like Austria, Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia. Localized populations are often restricted to particular mountain ranges where the soil composition and climate meet its niche requirements. The species generally avoids low-lying plains in favor of more rugged, elevated terrains.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, moist soil and a location with full sun to partial shade to thrive in garden settings.
It is a hardy perennial that can withstand moderate drought once its root system is firmly established. Growers should provide consistent moisture during the early stages of growth to ensure successful development. Periodic weeding and minimal fertilization are typically sufficient to maintain its vigorous growth habit.
Once mature, the plant adds texture to landscapes with its tall, flowering spikes.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Dipsacus asper provides medicinal value through its rhizome, root, leaf, flower, and inflorescence. The underground rhizome and root are often harvested to prepare decoctions for various traditional treatments. Leaves are collected and utilized in topical applications or herbal preparations. Both the flower and the complex inflorescence contain bioactive compounds that contribute to its healing properties. These specific components are processed according to traditional knowledge to address different health concerns.
According to a study published by "Pharmaceuticaals (Basel, Switzerland)", Dipsaci Radix, which is the root of Dipsacus asper, is used as a traditional medicine in Korea and China for various bone-associated diseases. The medicinal effects were evaluated using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages from 5 week old male ICR mice. The root extracts of Dipsacus asper decreased osteoclastic bone resorption and inhibited TRAP-positive cell formations in a dose-dependent manner. This study provides scientific names for the species to be used in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopoeia.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- flower
- leaf
- rhizome
- root
- inflorescence
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Dipascus asper, is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine primarily to treat ailments related to blood circulation and to alleviate pain. Historical practitioners often employed the plant's roots and stems to address conditions such as menstrual irregularities and various types of swelling. In some regional folk traditions, it has also been used as a remedy for digestive issues and to reduce inflammation. These medicinal applications rely on the plant's specific chemical properties to restore internal balance within the body. Such long-standing uses highlight the plant's significant role in historical botanical pharmacology.
According to a study published by "Chinese medicine", a herbal paste named DAEP includes Dipsaci Radix for topical application. This paste was tested on an OA rat model after 2 weeks of treatment. Radiographic images showed less destruction at the posterior tibial plateau in the DAEP group compared to the Control. The treatment significantly suppressed the upregulation of gene expression for IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS. DAEP also exhibited its effect via the NF-κB pathway by suppressing the phosphorylation of p-IKKαβ and COX-2 protein expression.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Dipsacus asper?
This plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and tumoricidal pharmacological activities. Research indicates that its bioactive compounds can effectively reduce pain and suppress inflammatory responses in biological systems. Furthermore, the presence of specific phytochemicals allows the plant to neutralize free radicals through its potent antioxidant properties. Studies also demonstrate that extracts from this species exhibit significant cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines. These inhibitory actions contribute to its potential tumoricidal capacity by disrupting the growth and survival of malignant cells.
According to a study published by "Chinese medicine", the topical application of a herbal paste containing Dipsaci Radix, named DAEP, showed effectiveness in relieving osteoaartritic knee pain in rats. After 2 weeks of treatment, radiographic images of the DAEP group showed less destruction at the posterior tibial plateau compared to the Control. DAEP treatment significantly increased the Print Area and Maximum Intensity when compared to the Control group during gait analysis. The paste significantly suppressed the upregulation of gene expression for interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Furthermore, DAEP exhibited its effect via the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway by suppressing the phosphorylation of IκB kinase αβ (p-IKKαβ) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- cytotoxic
- tumoricidal
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains medicinal compounds such as asperosaponin VI, dipsacoside B, dipsacus saponins B, dipsacus saponins C, and dipsalignan A. These specific chemical constituents contribute to the complex pharmacological profile of the species. Researchers study these various saponins and lignans to understand their potential therapeutic applications. The presence of these distinct molecules highlights the biological richness of the Dipasacus asper genus. Identifying these bioactive substances is essential for advancing natural product chemistry.
According to a study published by "Journal of separation science", the plant Dipsacus asper contains medicinal compounds including 4-caffeoylquinic acid, loganic acid, chlorogenic acid, loganin, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, dipsacoside B, asperosaponin VI, and sweroside. The study applied a quantification approach to 20 batches of raw and wine-processed samples of Dipsacus asper. Intra- and interassay variability for all analytes were 2.8-4.9% and 1.7-4.8%, respectively. Recovery rates for each analyte determined by the standard addition method ranged from 96.8-104.6%. After wine-processing, loganic acid, chlorogenic acid, dipsacoside B, and asperosaponin VI were upregulated, whereas 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, loganin, and sweroside were downregulated.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- asperosaponin VI
- dipsacoside B
- dipsacus saponins B
- dipsacus saponins C
- dipsalignan A
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for the treatment of threatened abortion, traumatic hematoma, uterine bleeding, inflammatory diseases, and bone-associated diseases. Its medicinal properties are often applied to stabilize pregnancies and manage complications related to uterine blood loss. Additionally, it serves as a remedy for managing internal swelling and various inflammatory conditions within the body. The plant also provides therapeutic benefits for healing injuries like hematomas and addressing ailments related to the skeletal system. These diverse applications highlight its significance in traditional medicinal practices.
According to a study published by "Journal of pharmaceuatical and biomedical analysis", the dried root of Dipsacus asper, known as Radix Dipsaci, is utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for bone fractures, traumatic hematoma, threatened abortion, and uterine bleeding. Chemical characterization of the root identified 21 compounds, which consist of 12 iridoid glycosides, 4 furofuran lignans, and 5 phenolic acids. Within these identified components, 3 iridoid glycosides were previously unreported. The study also involved the simultaneous determination of 11 compounds across 20 batches of the root collected from various regions in China.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- threatened abortion
- traumatic hematoma
- uterine bleeding
- bone fractures
- bone-associated diseases
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create various medicinal herbal preparations including a 70% (v/v) ethanol extract, Paeng-Jo-Yeon-Nyeon-Baek-Ja-In-Hwan, decoction, herbal paste, and wine processed products. The 70% (v/v) ethanol extract is often utilized to isolate specific bioactive compounds for concentrated therapeutic use. Traditional practitioners also formulate the complex Paeng-Jo-Yeon-Nyeon-Baek-Ja-In-Hwan pill to address multifaceted health concerns. Aqueous decoction serves as a fundamental method for extracting water-soluble properties for immediate consumption. Additionally, the plant is integrated into herbal paste and wine processed products to enhance stability and facilitate different modes of administration.
According to a study published by "Phytotherapy research : PTR", the PJBH prescription is a dried decoctuum consisting of a mixture of 18 medicinal herbs that include Radix Dipsaci. The effects of PJBH extracts, which include this plant, were examined on the rat pheochromocytoma line PC12 after a 30 min exposure to H2O2 at 150 microM. Pretreatment of the cells with PJBH at concentrations of 0.5-10 microg/ml significantly elevated cell survival and antioxidant enzyme activities. The PJBH showed a remarkable elevating effect on catalase and GSH-Px activities to combat H2O2-induced PC12 cell injury. These results suggest the formulation has potential for use as a novel neuronal therapeutic agent.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 70% (v/v) ethanol extract
- Paeng-Jo-Yeon-Nyeon-Baek-Ja-In-Hwan
- decoction
- herbal paste
- wine processed products
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can nourish the kidney and improve renal function according to traditional medicinal practices. It is frequently used in herbal remedies to address issues related to urinary health and water metabolism. Beyond its primary use for the kidney, certain preparations are believed to help regulate bodily fluids. Practitioners often incorporate it into complex formulas to balance internal heat and promote overall vitality. However, users should always consult a professional to ensure safe application.
According to a study published by "Journal of chromatography. B, Analytical technologies in the biomedical and life sciences", wine-processing Dipsacus asper by sauteing with rice wine will strengthen its effects of nourishing liver and kidney. This process leads to remarkably elevated Cmax and AUC0-t values (p<0.05) for six bioactive constituents, including loganin, loganic acid, chlorogenic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4-caffeoylquinic acid, and asperosaponin VI, in the rat liver and kidney. Conversely, the Cmax and AUC0-t of asperosaponin VI decreased in the rat heart and spleen when compared to the raw group. The study utilized an approach where calibration curves displayed good linear regression with r2>0.9991. Analyte recovery rates were determined to be between 88.3-100.1%, while intra- and inter-assay variability ranged from -4.62 to 4.93% and -4.98 to 4.92%, respectively.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- nourishing kidney
What herbs are paired with Dipsacus asper?
This plant Dipsacus asper pairs effectively with aromatic herbs such as lavender, sage, and rosemary to create a balanced garden aesthetic.
The tall, architectural spikes of the teasel provide a structural contrast to the soft, silvery foliage of sage. Pairing it with lavender enhances the visual texture through a combination of spiked blooms and mounded shrubs. Rosemary can be used as a sturdy base to ground the airy movements of the Dipsacus stems.
These combinations also attract a diverse range of pollinators like bees and butterflies to the landscape.