Penthorum chinense
What's the taxonomical classification of Penthorum chinense?
Penthorum chinense belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida, it falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and is a member of the order Saxifragales. This plant is further categorized into the family Penthoraceae and the genus Penthorum, ultimately reaching its specific identification at the species level as Penthorum chinense.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Saxifragales |
| Family | Penthoraceae |
| Genus | Penthorum |
| Species | chinense |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Penthorum chinense has an erect, perennial herbaceous habit characterized by smooth, hollow stems that can reach heights of up to 1.5 meters. The leaves are arranged alternately along the stem and feature long, lanceolate shapes with serrated margins and distinct venation. Its inflorescence consists of small, white, five-petaled flowers clustered in dense, terminal umbel-like cymes. These flowering structures are often subtended by a prominent, leafy, reddish bract that forms a disk-like shape. The plant also produces small, globose, fleshy fruits that turn reddish as they mature.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to East Asia, specifically spanning across China, Japan, Korea, and parts of the Russian Far East. It thrives in temperate climates where it typically colonizes moist environments such as riverbanks, marshes, and damp meadows. Within these regions, the species is often found in riparian zones where water availability is consistent throughout the growing season. Its range extends from subtropical southern China up to the more northern latitudes of the Sakhalin islands. This widespread distribution allows the species to occupy diverse ecological niches across the eastern continental landmass.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires consistently moist to wet soil and full sun to partial shade to thrive in its natural wetland habitat.
You should plant it in areas where the ground remains damp, such as near pond edges or in boggy garden beds. It spreads easily through rhizomatous growth, so providing ample space or using containers can help manage its expansion. Regular watering is essential to prevent the soil from drying out completely during hot summer months.
Once established, it is a hardy perennial that can withstand various temperature fluctuations.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Penthorum chinense is utilized medicinally through its whole plant, including the flowers, leaves, stems, and roots. The entire organism is often processed to treat various ailments such as inflammation or fever. Medicinal preparations frequently incorporate the leaves and stems to harness their specific biochemical properties. The roots are also collected and used in traditional remedies to address internal imbalances. Additionally, the flowers contribute to the plant's therapeutic profile when used in holistic applications.
According to a study published by "Horticulture research", Penthorum chinense is a prominent medicinal plant in China with a genome assembly spanning a length of 257.5 Mb and consisting of nine chromosomes. Metabolomic and transcriptomic data revealed that the richest sources of the three most noteworthy medicinal components in Penthorum chinense are young leaves and flowers. These specific plant parts also showed higher activity of upsream genes in the flavonoid synthesis pathway. Researchers used single-copy genes from 30 species to resolve the phylogeny related to this plant. These findings provide insight into the potential metabolic diversity of the species.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- flowers
- leaves
- roots
- stems
- whole plant
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant Penthorum chinense has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and Miao medicine to treat various ailments such as swelling, skin infections, and inflammation. In Miao medicine, the plant is frequently employed as a topical remedy to address wounds and dermatological issues. Historically, different parts of the herb have been prepared as decoctions or poultices to manage internal heat and detoxify the body. Practitioners have long relied on its natural properties to alleviate pain and reduce physical congestion. This long-standing ethnobotanical history highlights its importance in regional healing practices.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Penthorum chinense Pursh is a medicinal plant used in traditional Miao medicine. This plant contains a variety of bioactive compounds and is well known for its significant hepatoprotective properties. One of the most widely investigated hepatoprotective flavonoids derived from P. chinense is Quercetim (QUE). The study utilized a chicken model of liver inflammation established via intraperitoneal injection of LPS at 1.5 mg/kg. To assess protective effects, QUE at a dose of 10 mg/kg was administered by oral gavage for 6 consecutive days prior to the LPS challenge.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Miao medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Penthorum chinense?
This plant has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-hyperglycemic pharmacological activities. Its potent antioxidant properties help mitigate oxidative stress by neutralizing harmful free radicals in the body. The plant also demonstrates significant anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce swelling and immune responses. Furthermore, its anti-diabetic and anti-hyperglycemic actions work together to assist in regulating blood glucose levels. Finally, the antibacterial components provide a natural defense against various pathogenic microorganisms.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Penthorum chinense has been used in folk medicine to treat liver problems, protect the spleen, promote circulation, and alleviate heat-associated disorders. In diabetic rats induced with STZ (35mg/kg), oral doses of 150 and 300mg/kg/day of the extract for 2 weeks showed anti-hyperglycemic activities by decreasing HbA1c, TG, TC, and LDL-C levels while increasing HDL-C and insulin. An oral starch tolerance test showed that a 600mg/kg dose of the extract caused a significant blood glucose reduction of 42% at 60min. Three isolated polyphenols, pinocembrin-7-O-[4″,6″-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-d-glucose, pinocembrin-7-O-[3″-O-galloyl-4″, 6″-hexahydroxydiphenoyl]-β-d-glucose, and thonningianin A, inhibited α-amylase activity with IC50 values of 0.14, 0.03, and 0.08µmol/ml, respectively. Overall, Penthorum chinense produced a moderated anti-hyperglycemic effect on STZ-induced diabetic rats and starch induced postpraandial hyperglycemic mice.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-hyperglycemic
- anti-inflammatory
- antibacterial
- anti-diabetic
- antioxidant
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains several medicinal compounds including kaempferol, pinocembrin-7-O-[3″-O-galloyl]-β-D-glucose, pinocembrin-7-O-beta-glucoside, quercitrin, and thonningianiin A (3). These specific phytochemicals contribute to the diverse biological activities observed in Penthorum chinense extracts. The presence of various flavonoids and glycosides suggests potential therapeutic properties related to antioxidant or anti-inflammatory functions. Research into these distinct molecules helps clarify the pharmacological profile of the species. Understanding these constituents is essential for evaluating the plant's traditional medicinal uses in various cultures.
According to a study published by "Food & function", the medicinal and edible plant Penthorum chinense Pursh contains the flavonoid compound kaempferol (KA). This compound has been reported to exert profound anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Through its mechanisms, KA can increase the expression of antioxidative enzymes such as heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NADPH quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Additionally, KA suppresses the expression of NLRP3 and reduces levels of pro-inflammatory factors including interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The compound also inhibits high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression along with nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) activation.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Kaempferol
- pinocembrin-7-O-[3″-O-galloyl]-β-D-glucose
- pinocembrin-7-O-beta-glucoside
- quercitin-3-O-rhamnoside
- thonningianiin A (3)
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating blood stasis, circulation disorders, contusions, skin bruises, and swellings. It acts as a powerful agent to resolve stagnation within the vascular system. By promoting better movement of the blood, it helps alleviate pain associated with various internal and external injuries. The medicinal properties are particularly effective at reducing localized inflammation and physical trauma to the flesh. Applying or consuming the plant can significantly speed up the healing process for damaged tissues.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Penthorum chinense Pursh is a traditional Hmong dual-purpose medicinal plant used for activating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, protecting the liver, diuretic and anti-yellowing, and promoting digestion. It is also commonly used for lowering blood glucose, protecting kidneys, antioxidant, anti-inflamatory, antibacterial, and regulating the intestinal microenvironment. The plant shows great potential in treating cancer, specifically colorectal cancer (CRC). Research demonstrated its efficacy in inhibiting proliferation, migration, and cell cycle progression in HCT116 and HT29 cells. Furthermore, its key active ingredient, Thonningianin A, was shown to inhibit the proliferation, migration, and clone formation of CRC cells through dose-dependent induction of G1-phase blockage.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- blood stasis
- circulation disorders
- contusions
- skin bruises
- swellings
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is utilized to create medicinal preparations such as a 70% ethanolic extract and a functional tea. The ethanolic extract is often processed to concentrate specific bioactive compounds for therapeutic use. Meanwhile, the functional tea serves as a gentler method for consuming the plant's properties in a daily routine. These preparations are studied for their potential roles in traditional and modern wellness applications. Each method of preparation aims to harness the botanical qualities unique to Penthorum chinense.
According to a study published by "Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands)", Penthorum chinense Pursh (PCP) is a medicinal and edible plant used in many clinical liver diseases. In this study, liver-specific transgenic zebrafish larvae at 3 days post-fertilization (3 dpf) were treated with PCP concentrations of 100, 50 and 25 μg/mL for 48 h after being soaked in 350 mM ethanol for 32 h. PCP restored zebrafish liver function and blocked the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 in a dose-dependent manner. The plant alleviated liver fat accumulation and oxidative damage by downregulating Keap1 and up-regulating Nrf2. Additionally, PCP reduced the expression of p62/SQSTM1, Atg13, and Beclin 1 to up-regulate the autophagy signaling pathway. These findings suggest PCP protects against ethanol-induced hepatic oxidative stress and autophagy impairment through the AMPK/p62/Nrf2/mTOR signaling axis.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 70% ethanolic extract
- Functional Tea
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause serious health complications including alcoholic liver injury, altered heart rates, decreased body length, morphological abnormalities, and increased mortality. Research indicates that high doses of its extracts may lead to significant toxicity in biological systems. These physiological disruptions manifest through visible structural defects and irregular cardiac rhythms. Furthermore, the substance appears to interfere with normal growth patterns and developmental stability. Such severe biological impacts ultimately contribute to a higher rate of mortality in experimental subjects.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Penthorum chinense Pursh is an edible herbal medicinal plant used for the prevention and treatment of alcoholic liver injury. An 80% ethanol extract fraction of the plant was found to contain more polyphenols compared to the aqueous extract fraction. While 19 polyphenol compounds were identified in the ethanol extract, only 18 absorbed prototypes were found in the serum of mice at 1 h post-administration. These prototypes led to the identification of 433 targets associated with the plant. The oral administration of the plant was shown to alleviate alcoholic liver injury by attenuating hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation through the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathway. Specific active compounds such as quercetin, apiigenin, and thonningianin B contributed to these therapeutic benefits.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- alcoholic liver injury
- altered heart rates
- decreased body length
- morphological abnormalities
- mortality
What herbs are paired with Penthorum chinense?
This plant Penthorum chinense is traditionally paired with herbs such as Rehmannia glutinosa, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis to treat inflammation and heat-related ailments.
These combinations are frequently utilized in traditional Chinese medicine formulas to clear heat and resolve toxicity within the body. When combined with cooling herbs, the plant helps to balance internal temperatures and soothe skin irritations. Practitioners often adjust the specific ratios of these pairings to target different systemic imbalances.
This synergistic approach ensures that the medicinal properties are maximized for the patient's specific condition.