Ligusticum jeholense
What's the taxonomical classification of Ligusticum jeholense?
Ligusticum jeholense belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within this botanical lineage, it is situated in the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae. Its taxonomic journey continues through the order Apiales, placing it firmly within the family Apiaceae. Finally, the plant is identified by its specific genus, Ligusticum, and its unique species designation, jeholense.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Apiales |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Genus | Ligusticum |
| Species | jeholense |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Ligusticum jeholense has an erect, perennial herbaceous habit characterized by hollow, striated stems and compound umbel inflorescences. The leaves are typically bipinnate or tripinnate, featuring serrated leaflets that provide a lush, feathery texture to the foliage. Its flowers are small, white, and arranged in flat-topped clusters that attract various pollinators. The plant develops a robust root system that supports its upright structure throughout the growing season. These morphological traits collectively distinguish this species within its botanical family.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the coastal regions of the Jehol area in northeastern China. It specifically thrives within the unique environmental conditions found in the mountainous terrain of this province. Its distribution is highly localized, making it a rare species within its broader ecological niche. The plant's survival depends heavily on the specific soil compositions and moisture levels present in these specific habitats. Consequently, it is not found in widespread or diverse geographical locations across the continent.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Ligusticum jeholense is cultivated in moist, well-drained soils within temperate to subtropical climates that receive consistent sunlight and moderate rainfall.
Growers typically plant the seeds or rhizomes in the spring to take advantage of warming soil temperatures. Maintaining a high level of organic matter in the substrate is essential for supporting its vigorous root development. Regular irrigation is required to prevent the soil from drying out completely, as the species thrives in humid environments.
Once established, the plant requires minimal intervention beyond routine weeding and occasional nutrient supplementation.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Ligusticum jeholense is utilized medicinally through its leaves, radix, rhizoma, and aerial parts. The leaves are often prepared to address various inflammatory conditions or used in herbal infusions. Both the radix and the rhizoma contain potent bioactive compounds that are harvested for their therapeutic properties in traditional medicine. Additionally, the aerial parts of the plant are collected to facilitate the extraction of essential oils and other healing components. These specific botanical structures work together to provide a diverse range of pharmacological benefits.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", the leaves of Ligusticum jeholense were analyzed as part of a study encompassing 7 species and 27 distinct materials. The researchers employed HS-SPME-GC-MS to identify volatile constituents within these leaves. Through this method, a total of 118 volatile constituents were identified across the studied species. Hierarchical cluster analysis grouped Ligusticum jeholense together with Ligusticum chuanxiong, Ligusticum sinense, and Ligusticum chuanxiong cv. Gansu. This analysis helped highlight the close relationships between these medicinal relatives.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaf
- radix
- rhizoma
- aerial part
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Ligusticum jeholense is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a therapeutic agent to address various ailments related to blood circulation and pain relief. Practitioners historically value its root for its ability to warm the channels and dispel wind-cold patterns within the body. It is often integrated into complex herbal formulas meant to regulate menstruation or alleviate abdominal discomfort. Beyond its specific applications in Chinese traditions, historical documentation suggests its use in local folk remedies for managing inflammatory conditions. These long-standing practices highlight the plant's significance in managing physiological imbalances through its bioactive properties.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Ligusticum jeholense Nakai et Kitag. is an important Chinese medicine known as Gao-ben. This medicine is commonly sold sliced and dried, which makes traditional identification methods difficult. In the herbal medicine market, a number of other species are commonly sold as Gao-ben. To address quality control, researchers examined the mini barcode ITS2 region on 68 samples representing LReR and 7 potential adulterant or substitute species. The study achieved 100% success rates of PCR and sequencing to help distinguish between these species.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Ligusticum jeholense?
This plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant pharmacological activities. These biological properties stem from the diverse presence of bioactive secondary metabolites found within its chemical profile. Specifically, the plant demonstrates the ability to reduce pain and suppress inflammatory responses in various biological models. Its antimicrobial efficacy allows it to inhibit the growth of both bacterial and fungal pathogens effectively. Furthermore, the presence of scavenging compounds helps mitigate oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Ligusticum jeholense Nakai et Kitag. is recognized as a medicinal botanical species where the rhizomes and roots are used as an herbal remedy. Comprehensive chemical analysis of these parts has resulted in the identification and isolation of 190 compounds. Modern in vivo and in vitro studies have confirmed that the plant possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-melanin effects. Additionally, it exhibits pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and vasodilatory properties. These medicinal parts are also traditionally employed for treating anemofrigid headaches, colds, and joint pain.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- antioxidant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds N-butylphthalide, levistolide A, psoralen, xiongterpene, and various other phthalides. These specific chemical constituents are responsible for the therapeutic properties often associated with the species. The presence of phthalides plays a significant role in the plant's pharmacological profile. Additionally, compounds like psoralen and levistolide A contribute to its unique biological activities. Researchers often study these substances to understand their potential applications in modern medicine.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", methanol extracts of L. jeholense significantly reduced the toe swelling rate and the content of IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 in swollen tissues. The study established UPLC fingerprints of 18 batches of raw materials of Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix samples for the determination of the content of 8 components. Analysis of the spectrum-effect relationship showed that compounds 1, 3(chlorogenic acid), 4(cryptochlorogenic acid), 5, 6(ferulic acid), 7(isochlorogenic acid B), 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18(coniferyl ferulate), 19, 20(N-butylphthalide), 21, 22, and 23 were significantly correlated with anti-inflammation. Among these, compounds 5, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, and 23 had a negative correlation.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- N-butylphthalide
- levistolide A
- psoralen
- phthalides
- phenylpropanoids
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating analgesia, carminative issues, colds, inflammation, and various forms of pain. Its medicinal properties allow it to serve as an effective remedy for soothing digestive discomfort and gas. Additionally, it is frequently employed to reduce swelling and manage systemic inflammation within the body. The plant also acts as a potent agent for relieving physical pain and easing the symptoms of common colds. These diverse applications make it a versatile component in traditional herbal medicine.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Ligusticum jeholense, also known as Gaoben, has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It is utilized for the treatment of carminative, dispelling cold, dehumification, and analgesia. The complete chloroplast genome of this species consists of 148,497 bp. A total of 114 genes were identified within the genome, which includes 81 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- analgesiia
- carminative
- colds
- inflammation
- pain
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create various medicinal herbal preparations including Ligusticum jeholense essential oil, methanol extracts, and sliced and dried material. The essential oil is often distilled from the plant parts to capture its concentrated aromatic compounds. Methanol extracts are produced by soaking the plant in alcohol to isolate specific bioactive constituents for therapeutic use. Additionally, the plant can be prepared by being sliced and dried to preserve it for long-term storage or infusion. These different forms allow for diverse applications in traditional and pharmacological studies.
According to a study published by "Food chemistry", Ligusticum jeholense essential oil (LEO) was extracted using an optimized enzymatic-deep eutectic solvent microwave-assisted method (EDP-MAHD) that achieved a 3.38-fold higher yield than conventional extraction. In vitro, LEO exhibited potent antifungal activity against Alternaria alternata with an IC50 of 0.0718 μL/mL. The essential oil significantly inhibited lesion expansion and suppressed the accumulation of myc toxins, specifically alternariol (AOH) and tenuazonic acid (TeA), in tomato fruit. Analyses revealed that LEO disrupted membrane integrity, interfered with energy metabolism, and induced oxidative stress through multi-target antifungal mechanisms. Acute toxicity tests in mice confirmed the safety of this essential oil.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Ligusticum jeholense essential oil
- Methanol extracts
- sliced and dried
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can provide analgesia, act as a carminative, cause dehumidification, and assist in dispelling cold within the body. Its medicinal properties allow it to alleviate pain through its natural analgesic effects. It also helps soothe digestive issues by functioning as an effective carminative to reduce gas. Furthermore, the plant promotes dehumidification by removing excess moisture from bodily tissues. These combined actions make it particularly useful for dispelling cold symptoms and restoring internal balance.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Ligusticum jeholense, also known as "Gaoben", has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of carminative, dispelling cold, dehumidification, and analgesia. The complete chloroplast genome of this species was reported as having a sequence of 148,497 bp. A total of 114 genes were identified within the genome, which includes 81 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and 4 rRNA genes. These findings provide information for the identification of Gaoben-related medicinal materials.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- analgesiia
- carminative
- dehumiidification
- dispelling cold
What herbs are paired with Ligusticum jeholense?
This plant, Ligusticum jeholense, pairs most effectively with aromatic herbs such as ginger, cinnamon, and star anise to enhance its earthy profile.
These spices work in synergy to balance the plant's pungent and slightly bitter undertones during culinary or medicinal preparations. Pairing it with woody herbs like rosemary or thyme can also help ground its intense scent in savory dishes. When used in infusions, combining it with peppermint or lemon balm provides a refreshing counterpoint to its heavy notes.
Such combinations are often utilized to create complex flavor profiles in traditional herbal blends.