Phellodendron amurense
What's the taxonomical classification of Phellodendron amurense?
Phelloidenron amurense belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida, it is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae. The plant follows the taxonomic order Sapindales and is a member of the family Rutaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Phelloidenron, with its unique species designation being amurense.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Sapindales |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Genus | Phellodendron |
| Species | amurense |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Phellodendroon amurense has woody, climbing stems that produce large, simple, opposite leaves with ovate to elliptical shapes and serrated margins. The foliage typically measures several centimeters in length and features prominent venation on the underside of the blades. These plants often develop a scrambling habit, using their stems to ascend through surrounding vegetation in forest understories. The reproductive structures consist of small, inconspicuous flowers that eventually develop into fleshy berries. These morphological traits allow the species to thrive in temperate and subtropical woodland environments.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to East Asia, specifically occurring in parts of China, Korea, Japan, and the Russian Far East. It typically thrives in temperate forest environments where moisture levels are consistent. Within these regions, it is often found growing in shaded areas under dense forest canopies. Its range extends from the subtropical zones of southern China toward the more northern, colder climates of the Amur region. This widespread distribution allows it to occupy various ecological niches across the northeastern Asian continent.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant, commonly known as Amur bamboo, requires well-draining soil, partial shade, and consistent moisture to thrive in temperate climates.
It is a running bamboo species that spreads rapidly through underground rhizomes, so it should be planted in containers or contained by physical barriers to prevent invasive spread. Successful cultivation involves providing a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture and protect the roots during cold winters. Regular fertilization during the growing season helps maintain its dense, leafy appearance.
Monitoring for pests and ensuring adequate airflow will help prevent common fungal issues in dense plantings.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Phellodendron amurense provides medicinal value through its cortex, leaf, radix, fruit, and seed. The bitter bark, or cortex, is frequently harvested to prepare decoctions for treating inflammation and skin conditions. Its radix is also utilized in traditional remedies to address digestive issues and fever. The leaves can be processed to aid in reducing swelling or managing systemic heat. Additionally, the fruit and seeds are sometimes employed for their specific bioactive properties in holistic treatments.
According to a study published by "Journal of separation science", the Cortex Phellodri is one of the herbal drug families used to determine three major active protoberberine alkaloids. These alkaloids include berbermin, palmaitine, and jatrorrhizin. The method successfully achieved recoveries for the constituents ranging between 95.6-103.2% for berbermin, 97.5-103.3% for palmaitine, and 96.1-103.6% for jatrorrhizin. The separation and determination process for these alkaloids within the herbal drugs was completed within 7 min. Detection of the analytes was performed by UV at 214 nm.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- Cortex
- Leaf
- Radix
- Fruit
- Seed
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, known as Phellodendron amurense, has been utilized for centuries within Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat various inflammatory and infectious conditions. Practitioners traditionally use the dried inner bark, often referred to as Huang Bai, to clear heat and dry dampness in the body. It has historically been applied to address ailments such as fever, dysentery, and urinary tract infections. The plant's medicinal properties are believed to target the liver and stomach systems to restore internal balance. Beyond internal use, historical preparations sometimes involved topical applications for skin issues.
According to a study published by "The journal of physical chemistry. A", research involved measurements of excitation and emission (EEM) fluorescence spectra of the powdered, complex, medicinal herb Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis (CPA). This method was used to compare and discriminate CPA from other substances. The rank-ordering PROMETHEE method was found to be the only method able to classify samples of single ingredients, such as CPA, or binary mixtures like CPA/CPC and CPA/CM. While the excitation spectra of the different samples were very similar, the method proved useful for the classification of single-ingredient samples and their binary mixtures.
The hystorical systems that uses this plant are shown in the list below.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
What are the pharmacological activities of Phellodendron amurense?
This plant has demonstrated significant pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiprotizoal properties. These biological effects are primarily attributed to the presence of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites found within its chemical profile. Researchers have identified its capacity to mitigate oxidative stress and reduce inflammatory responses in various experimental models. Furthermore, the plant's extracts show potent inhibitory action against a wide range of bacteria, fungi, and protozoan parasites. These multifaceted medicinal characteristics make it a valuable subject for further drug development and natural product research.
According to a study published by "Journal of pharmaceuatical and biomedical analysis", Phellodendri Amurensis cortex (PAC) is a traditional Chinese herb with good anti-inflammatory efficacy used to treat various liver and kidney sickness. In research involving rats treated with 6.5 mg/kg doxorubicin, PAC was administered at doses of 216, 432, and 864 mg/kg once a day. PAC treatment notably decreased urinary protein, serum Cr content, and renal tissue lesions while increasing serum TP and ALB content. The high-dose PAC group recalled 18 metabolite levels, the medium-dose group recalled 13 metabolite levels, and the low-dose group recalled 8 metabolite levels. These changes involved nine primary metabolic pathways, including steroid hormone biosynthesis and alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism. Ultimately, PAC possesses a renoprotective effect against doxorubicin-induced nephritis by regulating differential metabolites and improving renal function.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- anti-inflammatory
- antioxidant
- antibacterial
- antifungal
- antimicrobial
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains the medicinal compounds phelloidenriine, phelloidenriine chloride, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizin, and palmatine. These specific alkaloids are the primary bioactive constituents responsible for the biological activities of the species. Research indicates that these compounds often work together to produce various pharmacological effects within the human body. The presence of these alkaloids makes the plant a significant subject in the study of natural medicinal substances. Scientists analyze these chemical profiles to better understand their potential therapeutic applications.
According to a study published by "Planta medica", the bark of Phellodendron amurense contains biologically active principles identified as OB-1 and OB-5. These compounds are quaternary base alkaloids known as magnoflorine and phellodendrine. When given i.p. to host mice at 5-20 mg/kg for 8 consecutive days, these substances suppressed local GvH reactions. Furthermore, OB-1 and OB-5 suppressed picryl chloride-induced delayed type hypersensitivity when administered i.p. to mice at 10 and 20 mg/kg for 5 consecutive days. These findings suggest that these compounds suppress the induction phase rather than the effector phase of the cellular immune response.
The primary medicinal compounds of this plant are shown in the list below.
- phelloidendrine
- phelloidendrine chloride
- magnoflorine
- jatrorrhizine
- berberine
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating infections caused by Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei, and Candida parapsilosis, as well as managing oral candidiasis. Its bioactive compounds exhibit significant antifungal properties that target these specific yeast species. Researchers have observed that extracts from the plant can effectively inhibit the growth of various pathogenic Candida strains. These therapeutic effects make it a subject of interest for addressing fungal overgrowth in different parts of the body. By disrupting the cellular integrity of the fungi, the plant helps alleviate the symptoms associated with oral candidiasis.
According to a study published by "The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy", methanol extracts from Phellodendroon amurense caused significant inhibition of growth in Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis. The predominant active components were the protoberberines berberine and palmatine. Berberine exhibited the most potent inhibition of growth on C. krusei with an MIC <4 mg/L, while palmatine showed inhibition on C. parapsilosis with an MIC 16 mg/L. Both components inhibited the in-vivo rate of incorporation of L-[methyl-14C]methionine into C-24 of ergosterol in C. albicans with IC50 values of 25 microM for berberine and 300 microM for palmatine. Additionally, berberinine and palmatine inhibited in-vitro 24-SMT activity in microsomes with Ki values of 232 microM and 257 microM, respectively.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- 1. cancer
- 2. inflammation
- 3. dermatological disorders
- 4. urological disorders
- 5. microbial infection
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create various medicinal herbal preparations including Cortex Phellodendri extraction, Huanglianjiedu decoction, Oren-gedoku-to, Shangke Wangshui, and ZhibaiDihuang pill. These formulations primarily utilize the dried root bark to exploit its potent antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Practitioners often prescribe Huanglianjiedu decoction and Oren-gedoku-to to clear heat and detoxify the body during febrile illnesses. Specialized preparations like Shangke Wangshui and ZhibaiDihuang pill target specific patterns of internal heat to restore physiological balance. Each of these preparations relies on the specific chemical constituents found within the plant's cortex to achieve therapeutic effects.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", 25 kinds of traditional Chinese medicines were extracted with 80% ethanol to a concentration of 200 mg/ml. Cortex Phellodendri was identified as one of the medicines with an average time of killing mites below 5 min. The time of killing mites for Cortex Phellodendri was statistically shorter than that with Radix Stemonae (P < 0.05). This preparation exhibited remarkable anti-mite activities to Demodex folliculoorum.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Cortex Phellodendri extraction
- Huanglianjiedu decoction
- Oren-gedoku-to
- Shangke Wangshui
- ZhibaiDihuang pill
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause severe gastrointestinal issues such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and gastroenteritis in humans. These digestive disturbances typically manifest shortly after accidental ingestion or improper medicinal use. Some individuals may also experience a specific toxic reaction known as hand-foot syndrome. This condition results in redness, swelling, or tingling sensations in the extremities. Such adverse reactions highlight the significant health risks associated with the plant's chemical compounds.
According to a study published by "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis is traditionally used under the name "Huang Bai" for the treatment of gastroenteritis, abdominal pain or diarrhea. In a mouse model of inflammation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), ethanol extracts of Cortex Phellodendri Amurensis (ECPA) significantly decreased ear thickness, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The ECPA also remarkably inhibited the protein and mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2. These results indicate that ECPA has a potential anti-inflamatory effect on TPA-induced inflammation in mice. However, the study found that ECPA is less effective than ECPC in its anti-inflammatory capacity.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- abdominal pain
- diarrhea
- gastroenteritis
- hand-foot syndrome
What herbs are paired with Phellodendron amurense?
This plant, Phellodendron amurense, is most frequently paired with herbs such as Coptis chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis to enhance its bitter properties and clear heat.
In traditional formulas, the addition of Coptis chinensis serves to amplify the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of the bark. Scutellaria baicalensis is often included alongside it to target damp-heat conditions in the body. Glycyrrhiza uralensis is utilized to harmonize these strong, bitter ingredients and reduce potential gastric irritation.
These specific combinations are strategically designed to optimize the plant's ability to resolve toxins and soothe internal inflammation.