Fritillaria cirrhosa
What's the taxonomical classification of Fritillaria cirrhosa?
Fritillaria cirrhosa belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this lineage, it is categorized under the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Following its placement in the order Liliales, the plant is nested within the family Liliaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Fritillaria, and its unique biological designation is completed by its species name, cirrhosa.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Liliales |
| Family | Liliaceae |
| Genus | Fritillaria |
| Species | cirrhosa |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Friitillaria cirrhosa has bulbous rhizomes with fleshy scales, slender upright stems reaching up to 60 centimeters, and lanceolate leaves arranged in whorls. The nodding, bell-shaped flowers feature a distinct tessellated pattern of dark brownish-purple spots on a yellowish-green base. Each petal is characterized by a recurved tip and often displays a subtle checkered texture. The plant's reproductive structures include long filaments and an ovary that develops into a three-sided capsule. These morphological features allow the species to thrive in high-altitude alpine environments.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, spanning across countries such as China, Nepal, Bhutan, India, and Tibet. It primarily thrives in alpine and subalpine zones where rocky slopes and meadows are abundant. These populations are typically found at elevations ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 meters above sea level. The distribution is closely linked to the moist, cool climates found in these specific mountain ranges. Because of its specialized habitat requirements, it remains confined to these distinct eastern Asian montane ecosystems.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-draining, humus-rich soil and a cool, alpine environment with high humidity and consistent moisture to thrive.
It should be planted in a location that receives partial shade to protect its delicate foliage from intense direct sunlight. During the growing season, ensure the substrate stays moist but never waterlogged to prevent bulb rot. Providing ample ventilation is essential to mimic its natural mountain habitat and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
Once the flowering period ends, allow the foliage to die back naturally before storing the bulbs in a cool, dry place for dormancy.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant utilizes its bulb, leaf, root, stem, and seed for various medicinal applications in traditional practices. The bulb is most frequently harvested and dried to treat conditions such as coughs and inflammation. Practitioners may also process the leaf and stem to create topical applications for skin ailments. The roots are often prepared into decoctions to balance internal bodily functions. Finally, the seeds are occasionally used in specific formulations to address digestive irregularities.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", the medicinal parts of the plant are the bulbus. The study determined the contents of alkaloids and saponins in 4 species of Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae. For these species, each specie included 3 samples. The researchers used two-phase titration to determine alkaloids and a weight method to determine saponins.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Bulb
- Leaf
- Root
- Stem
- Seed
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as Fritillaria cirrhosa, is utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda to treat respiratory ailments and regulate bodily functions. In the Chinese medicinal system, the bulb is frequently prescribed to relieve coughs, resolve phlegm, and clear heat from the lungs. Ayurvedic practitioners have also historically employed various parts of the plant to address inflammatory conditions and support overall vitality. These traditional systems rely on the plant's specific chemical properties to manage diverse physiological imbalances. Through these long-standing practices, the species has maintained a significant role in herbal pharmacology across different cultures.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Friitillaria cirrhosa D.Don, also known as Kshirakakoli, is a critically endangered Himalayan medicinal plant documented in Ayurveda for therapeutic uses against disorders such as jvara (fever) and kasa (respiratory tract disease). Its bulbs are used as Szechuan-Pei-Mu in traditional Chinese medicine for their antipyretic properties. Extracts from the bulbs showed antiplasmodial activity with IC50 values of 2.71-19.77 μg/mL for the CQ-resistant Pf INDO strain and 1.76-21.52 μg/mL for the CQ-sensitive Pf 3D7 strain. Four marker compounds responsible for this activity were identified via UPLC-IM-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based biochemometric analysis: peimine (m/z 432.3448), peimisine (m/z 428.3504), puqiedinone (m/z 414.3379), and puqiedine (m/z 416.3509). This study provides scientific evidence for the ethnopharmacological usage of F. cirrhosa bulbs in fever related conditions such as malaria.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ayurveda
- Chinese medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Fritillaria cirrhosa?
This plant has anti-asthma, anti-inflammatory, antitussive, and expectorant pharmacological activities used primarily to treat respiratory ailments. The bioactive compounds within the species help to suppress cough reflexes and reduce bronchial inflammation. By acting as an expectorant, it facilitates the thinning and removal of mucus from the airways. These combined properties make it a significant component in traditional medicinal formulas for managing lung congestion. Such therapeutic actions contribute to its widespread use in addressing various obstructive pulmonary conditions.
According to a study published by "Fitoterapia", Fristillaria cirrhosa bulbus is a Chinese folk herb known for its antitussive, expectorant, anti-asthma and anti-inflammatory properties used to treat respiratory diseases. The study investigated the potential effect of 6 isosteroid alkaloids from the bulb on protection against cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress in RAW264.7 macrophages. These 6 isosteroid alkaloids reduced reactive oxygen species production, elevated glutathione levels, and promoted heme oxygenase expression by inducing NrF2 nuclear translocation and up-regulating NrF2 expression. Among these, verticinone, verticine, imperialine-3-β-D-glucosides, delavine and peimisine exhibited more potent effects against oxidative stress than imperialine. These findings demonstrate that the plant may play a protective role in cellular oxidative stress by activating the NrF2-mediated antioxidant pathway.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-asthma
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-tussive
- asthma-alleviating
- expectorant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains a diverse range of bioactive alkaloids including imperialine, imperialine-3-beta-glucoside, verticine, verticinone, and puqiedinone. These specific medicinal compounds are primarily classified as isoquinoline alkaloids found within the plant's tissues. Researchers study these substances because they exhibit various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The presence of these chemical constituents contributes significantly to the traditional medicinal uses of the species. Understanding the precise concentrations of these alkaloids helps in the development of new therapeutic agents.
According to a study published by "Fitoterapia", Fri tillaria cirrhosa bulbus is a Chinese folk herb used for its antitussive, expectorant, anti-asthma and anti-inflammatory properties. The study investigated the potential effect and mechanism of 6 isosteroid alkaloids with different chemical structures from Fri tillaria cirrhosa bulbus. These 6 isosteroid alkaloids reduced reactive oxygen species production, elevated glutathione levels and promoted heme oxygenase expression. Among these alkaloids, verticinone, verticine, imperialine-3-β-D-glucoside, delavine and peimisine exhibited a more potent effect against cigarette smoke-induced oxidative stress than that of imperialine. These findings demonstrated that Fri tillaria cirrhosa bulbus may play a protective role in cellular oxidative stress by activating the NrF2-mediated antioxidant pathway.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Imperialine
- Imperialine-3-β-D-glucoside
- Verticine
- Verticinone
- Puqiedinone
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating asthma, cough, fever, lung diseases, and various respiratory diseases. Its medicinal properties are frequently utilized to alleviate congestion and soothe irritation in the airways. By addressing inflammation, the plant helps manage chronic conditions related to the lungs. Practitioners often rely on its components to reduce high temperatures associated with illness. This makes the species a significant resource in traditional medicine for stabilizing breathing difficulties.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Fritillaria cirrhosa is a traditional Chinese medicine used for more than 2000 years to treat cough, expectoration and asthma. The extracts of Fritillaria cirrhosa were tested for antitussive, expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects in mice. In studies involving ammonia liquor, the extract significantly increased the latent period of cough and inhibited cough frequency. The plant also demonstrated efficacy in expectorant assessment by enhancing tracheal phenol red output. Furthermore, the extract was evaluated for its ability to inhibit the development of ear edema in an anti-inflammatory evaluation assay. In acute toxicity tests, the maximum feasible dose (MFD) value of Friillitaria cirrhosa in mice was 452.14 g/kg.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- asthma
- cough
- expectorant
- phlegm
- respiratory diseases
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create diverse medicinal products such as Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Herbal Cough & Throat Syrup, ethanol extract, and various powder formulations. Researchers often study the total alkaloids present in the species to understand its pharmacological potential. Specific studies focus on isolating alkaloid enriched fractions to identify the active compounds responsible for its therapeutic effects. These preparations serve different clinical purposes ranging from traditional remedies to modern laboratory analyses.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", 210 F. cirrhosa products are offered by 46 suppliers, with 44 situated in China and 2 in Nepal. These bulbs, which contain alkaloids, serve as a main ingredient in cough syrups like Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Herbal Cough & Throat Syrup. In 2013, China exported over 44 tonnes of F. cirrhosa bulbs to Taiwan and 26.7 tonnes to the Republic of Korea. The air-dry mass of a bulb varies between 0.0917 and 0.1116 g, representing 8960 to 10,900 bulbs per kg or 8.9 to 10.9 million bulbs per tonne. Wild harvested bulbs have a high price of 2000 to 3800 CNY per kg, which increased from US$60 in 2002 to US$560 per kg in 2017. F. cirrhosa is registered as an active ingredient in medicinal preparations in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Singapore and Taiwan.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Herbal Cough & Throat Syrup
- alkaloid enriched fractions
- ethanol extract
- powder
- total alkaloids
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause adverse health reactions such as cough, expectoration, fever, inflammation, and liver cells edema. When consumed improperly, it may irritate the respiratory tract and lead to persistent coughing or the production of excessive phlegm. Some individuals might also experience an increase in body temperature or systemic inflammatory responses. Furthermore, the substance can impact internal organ health by inducing swelling within the liver cells. These complications necessitate caution when considering the use of this botanical species.
According to a study published by "PeerJ", the bulb of Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don is used in a well-known traditional Chinese medicine to relieve cough and eliminate phlegm. This species is one of the most important medicinal plants of Fritillaria L. and is widely distributed among the alpine regions in southwestern China. The study utilized next generation sequencing technology to report the complete chloroplast genome sequences of the plant. These eight plastid genomes ranged from 151,058 bp to 152,064 bp in length and consisted of 115 genes.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- cough
- expectoration
- fever
- inflammation
- liver cells edema
What herbs are paired with Fritillaria cirrhosa?
This plant, known in traditional medicine as Chuan Bei Mu, is most frequently paired with Fritillaria pekinensis to enhance its ability to relieve cough and resolve phlegm.
Practitioners often combine it with substances like Loquat leaf or Radix Gypsophila to specifically target respiratory heat and congestion. In more complex formulas, it may be integrated with Licorice root to harmonize the various medicinal actions and soothe the lungs. These combinations are carefully calculated to balance the plant's bitter and slightly cold properties.
Such pairings are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of the herb in treating various types of pulmonary ailments.