Ligusticum sinense
What's the taxonomical classification of Ligusticum sinense?
Ligusticum sinense belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized into the order Apiales. The plant is a member of the family Apiaceae, falling under the genus Ligusticum, and is specifically identified by its species name, sinense.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Apiales |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Genus | Ligusticum |
| Species | sinense |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Ligusticum sinense has an erect, perennial herbaceous structure characterized by hollow, deeply furrowed stems that can reach heights of up to two meters. The leaves are large, bipinnate or tripinnate, and feature serrated margins with a lush green color. Its inflorescence consists of large, compound umbels containing numerous small, white flowers that bloom in dense clusters. The fruit is a small, oblong schizocarp that typically turns dark as it matures. Below the surface, the plant develops a thick, fleshy rhizome that aids in its perennial growth habit.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the temperate and subtropical regions of East Asia, specifically spanning across China, Japan, and Korea. It thrives primarily in mountainous areas and forest edges where the climate is moist and mild. Within these regions, it is frequently found in well-drained soils at various elevations. Its distribution is closely tied to specific humidity levels and seasonal temperature patterns characteristic of these Asian landscapes. Although its primary range is concentrated in the East, it is occasionally documented in cultivated gardens outside its indigenous territory.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant Ligusticum sinense grows best in moist, fertile soils under partial shade in temperate climates.
Cultivators typically plant the seeds in early spring or autumn to ensure successful germination. Regular watering is essential to maintain the high humidity levels the species requires for vigorous root development. As a perennial herb, it benefits from organic mulching to protect the soil and suppress competing weeds.
Once established, the plant can be harvested for its medicinal roots and culinary seeds.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant is used medicinally through its rhizoma et radix, which refers to the combination of the rhizome and the root. The rhizome is the thickened underground stem that is frequently harvested for its concentrated therapeutic compounds. The root provides additional medicinal properties when prepared for traditional remedies. While the underground structures are most common, the aerial part of the plant is also studied for its biological activities. Additionally, the leaf can be utilized in various herbal applications depending on the specific treatment required.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", the earliest original plant of Xiongqiong was Ligusticum sinense. In ancient times, Xixiong was used as Xiongqiong, but it is now used as Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix. The plant L. chuanxiong is likely to be a gardening breed due to the long-term cultivation of L. sinense. Research aims to determine which Chinese herb L. sinense classifies through modern research.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Rhizoma et Radix
- aerial part
- leaf
- rhizome
- root
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Ligusticum sinense, has been utilized for centuries within traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments such as abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, and blood circulation issues. In historical practices, the dried rhizomes are often prepared into decoctions or powders to balance the body's energy and regulate vital processes. Thai folklore medicine also incorporates this species, utilizing its unique properties to address specific localized health concerns. Practitioners in these systems value the plant for its warming effects and its ability to dispel wind and dampness from the body. These long-standing traditions continue to serve as a foundational basis for much of the modern research conducted on the plant's bioactive compounds.
According to a study published by "BMC complementary and alternative medicine", Ligusticum sinense is one of the 7 plant species that exhibited promising activity against the cholangiocarcinoma CL-6 cell line. This plant extract showed a survival rate of less than 50% at a concentration of 50 μg/ml. It is also noted as one of the plants used in Thai folklore medicine. The study investigated the cytotoxic activities of crude ethanol extracts from a total of 28 plants and 5 recipes.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Thai folklore medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Ligusticum sinense?
This plant has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and vasodilator pharmacological activities. Its bioactive compounds effectively mitigate pain and reduce swelling by inhibiting specific inflammatory pathways in the body. The plant also demonstrates the ability to combat various bacterial pathogens through its antimicrobial properties. Additionally, its high concentration of phytochemicals helps neutralize free radicals to provide significant antioxidant protection. Finally, the extracts act as a vasodilator to promote blood flow by relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Ligusticum sinense Oliv. possesses a diverse array of pharmacological activities. Comprehensive chemical analysis has resulted in the identification and isolation of 190 compounds. Modern in vivo and in vitro studies have confirmed its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-melanin effects. Furthermore, the plant exhibits antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and vasodilatory properties. It is traditionally employed for the treatment of anemofrigid headaches, colds, and joint pain.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- analgesic
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- antioxidant
- antimelanogenesis
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several potent medicinal compounds including (Z)-ligustilide, senkyunoide A, senkyunoide B, butylphthalide, and 3-butylidene-7-hydroxyphthalide. These bioactive molecules are primarily categorized as phthalides and lignans which contribute to the plant's pharmacological profile. The specific structure of (Z)-ligustilide and butylphthalide plays a significant role in the plant's traditional therapeutic applications. Additionally, the senkyunoides serve as important markers for its chemical composition. Together, these substances work to provide various biological effects within medicinal preparations.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", nine compounds were isolated and identified from Ligusticum sinense. These chemical constituents include levistolide A (1), (Z)-3-butylidene-7-hydroxyphthalide (2), senkyunolide B (3), 3-butylphthalide (4), (Z)-ligustilide (5), riligustilide (6), neocnidilide (7), senkyunolide A (8), and beta-sitostesol (9). The substances were isolated and purified using column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20. Compounds 2 and 3 are obtained from this plant for the 1st time.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- (Z)-ligustilide
- senkyunoide A
- senkyunoide B
- butylphthalide
- neocnidilide
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for analgesia, carminative support, the relief of colds, and the treatment of pain and anemofrigid headaches. Its medicinal properties allow it to act as an effective agent for easing various types of physical discomfort. When used as a carminative, it helps soothe digestive issues and reduce gas. It is also frequently applied to manage the symptoms associated with common colds. Furthermore, the plant provides relief for anemofrigid headaches and general bodily pain through its analgesic effects.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Ligusticum sinense is traditionally employed for dispelling wind and cold, eliminating dampness, and alleviating pain. It has been used in traditional usage for the treatment of anemofrigid headaches, colds, and joint pain. The plant also possesses therapeutic properties for facial skin disorders to facilitate skin regeneration. Chemical analysis has resulted in the identification and isolation of 190 compounds. These constituents have confirmed anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-melanin effects, along with antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and vasodilatory properties.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- analgesiia
- anemofrigid headaches
- carminative
- colds
- pain
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is Ligusticum sinense, which is processed into medicinal herbal preparations including methanol extracts, aqueous extracts, and forms that are simply sliced and dried. The methanol extracts are often utilized in laboratory settings to isolate specific bioactive compounds like ligustilide. Aqueous extracts are prepared by boiling the plant material in water to create decoctions used in traditional medicine. Many practitioners also use the plant in its simplest form by utilizing the sliced and dried roots for infusions or culinary applications. These various methods allow for the targeted delivery of the plant's therapeutic properties depending on the intended health benefit.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", UPLC fingerprints were established for 18 batches of raw materials of Ligustici Rhizoma et Radix to determine the content of 8 components. Methanol extracts of Ligusticum sinense significantly reduced the toe swelling rate and the content of IL-1β, IL-6, and PGE2 in swollen tissues. The spectrum-effect relationship showed an obvious correlation between chemical components and pharmacodynamic indexes. In the fingerprints, compounds 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 were significantly correlated with anti-inflammation. Among these, 7 specific compounds, namely 5, 11, 13, 15, 17, 21, and 23, had a negative correlation.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Methanol extracts
- aqueous extract
- sliced and dried
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can provide therapeutic benefits including analgesia, carminative effects, dehumidification, and the ability to assist in dispelling cold from the body. Its medicinal properties are often utilized to relieve various types of physical pain through its natural analgesic action. As a carminative, it helps to reduce intestinal gas and soothe digestive discomfort. The plant also serves to promote dehumidification by removing excess moisture from internal systems. Additionally, it is traditionally used in various remedies for dispelling cold to restore internal warmth and balance.
According to a study published by "Frontiers in plant science", Ligusticum sinense has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of carminative, dispelling cold, dehumidification, and analgesia. The complete chloroplast genome of Ligusticum sinense was reported to consist of 148,539 bp. A total of 114 genes were identified within the genome, including 81 protein-coding genes, 29 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Highly variable regions such as ycf2-trnL and accD-ycf4 can be used as specific DNA barcodes to distinguish this species.
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 sinense?
This plant, Ligusticum sinense, is commonly paired with herbs such as Angelica sinensis, Chuanxiong to enhance blood circulation and relieve pain.
These combinations are frequently utilized in traditional formulations to address various gynecological issues and headaches. When mixed with Astragalus, it helps to strengthen the body's defense mechanisms and promote healthy blood flow. Practitioners often include ginger in the mixture to warm the channels and improve the overall efficacy of the tonic.
Such strategic pairings are designed to balance the warming properties of the root with other medicinal ingredients.