Sambucus chinensis
What's the taxonomical classification of Sambucus chinensis?
Sambucus chinensis belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta. Its taxonomic progression continues through the class Equisetopsida and the subclass Magnoliidae, eventually placing it under the order Dipsacales. Within this order, the plant is a member of the family Viburnaceae. Specifically, it is categorized under the genus Sambucus, with its unique biological identity defined by the species name chinensis.
| Taxonomic Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Dipsacales |
| Family | Viburnaceae |
| Genus | Sambucus |
| Species | chinensis |
What are the morphological characteristics of this plant?
Sambucus chinensis has deciduous, opposite, pinnately compound leaves consisting of five to seven lanceolate leaflets with serrated margins. The shrub reaches heights of up to five meters and features woody stems that develop a textured bark as the plant matures. Small, creamy white flowers grow in dense, flat-topped cymes that emerge during the late spring or early summer months. These blossoms eventually give way to small, dark purple to black drupes that are clustered along the branches. The overall structure is characterized by a spreading, multi-stemmed growth habit common to many elderberry species.
What is the geographical distribution of this plant?
This plant is native to the temperate regions of China, spanning across diverse provinces such as Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Gansu, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Jilin, Liaoning, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Zhejiang. It primarily inhabits various ecological niches ranging from mountain slopes to lowland shrublands. The species is commonly found in deciduous forests and along the edges of woodland habitats. Its distribution is largely concentrated in East and Central Asia where the climate supports its growth patterns. This regional presence defines its natural range and ecological role within the local landscape.
How is this plant cultivated?
This plant requires well-drained, moist soil and full sun to maximum sunlight exposure for optimal growth.
It thrives best when planted in temperate climates where it can establish a robust root system. Regular watering is essential during the initial growing seasons to prevent drought stress. Pruning should be performed in late winter to encourage vigorous new shoots and flowering.
Once established, the species is relatively hardy and can tolerate various soil types.
What parts of this plant are used medicinally?
This plant Sambucus chinensis provides medicinal value through the use of its leaves, rhizomes, and stems. The leaves are often processed to treat various inflammatory conditions and skin ailments. Its rhizomes contain potent compounds that are utilized to address internal ailments and promote overall health. Additionally, the stem can be prepared in specific ways to aid in traditional therapeutic practices. Each of these components serves a unique role in the plant's diverse medicinal applications.
According to a study published by "Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica", the medicinal properties of Sambucus chinensis Lindl are investigated through its various parts. The study describes the microscopic characteristics of the stem, leaves, rhizome and powder. These specific components were drawn and physicochemically identified to offer evidences for exploiting the plant resources. A convenient and effective method for identifying the herb has been established.
The parts of this plant that are ued medicinally are shown in the list below.
- leaves
- rhizome
- stem
What traditional systems uses this plant?
This plant, Sambucus chinensis, has been utilized in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to treat inflammatory conditions, fevers, and various skin ailments.
Practitioners historically prepared decoctions from the bark and flowers to reduce swelling and clear heat from the body. The berries and stems were also integrated into local folk remedies to address respiratory issues and promote circulation. These ancient applications relied heavily on the plant's perceived ability to detoxify the system and soothe internal heat.
Such historical uses laid the foundational knowledge for its continued study in contemporary herbal pharmacology.
What are the pharmacological activities of Sambucus chinensis?
This plant has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial pharmacological activities. The bioactive compounds found within Sambucus chinensis work to protect liver cells from oxidative damage and chemical toxicity. Research indicates that its phytochemical constituents can effectively reduce inflammation in various biological systems. Additionally, the plant demonstrates significant potential in inhibiting the growth of certain pathogenic microorganisms. These diverse therapeutic properties make it a subject of interest for developing new medicinal treatments.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", the extraction of Sambucus chinensis by 75% alcohol showed very significantly protective effects on mice acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4. This 75% alcohol extraction process proved to be better than other extraction processes. The active parts of Sambucus chinensis against hepatitis include the extraction eluted by 30% alcohol after purification with macroporous adsorption resin and the extraction with EtOAc. Both of these active parts showed significantly protective effects on mice acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4. Among these, the effects of the extraction eluted by 30% alcohol after purification with macroporous adsorption resin were better than the extraction with EtOAc.
The primary pharmacological activities of this plant are shown in the list below.
- Since the provided list contains only one item ("hepatoprotective"), it is impossible to extract five distinct activities. Based on the single item provided:
- hepatoprotective
What medicinal compounds this plant contains?
This plant contains high concentrations of flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and various triterpenoids that provide its medicinal properties. The presence of quercetin and kaempferol contributes to significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities within the body. These specific polyphenolic compounds work to neutralize free radicals and protect cellular structures from oxidative stress. Additionally, the plant's unique chemical profile offers potential antimicrobial effects against certain pathogens. Such diverse bioactive constituents make the species a subject of interest for pharmacological research.
What health conditions is this plant used for?
This plant is used for treating acute hepatic injury, acute liver-injury, chemical liver injuries, hepatitis, and immunological liver injuries. These various conditions involve significant damage or inflammation to the liver tissues. Specifically, it may be applied to mitigate damage caused by toxic chemicals or sudden inflammatory responses. The plant's properties are also studied for their potential to manage hepatitis and complex immunological liver injuries. Researchers often look at these applications to understand how the species supports liver function during recovery.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", the granule of Sambucus chinensis Lindl is used to provide protective effects against acute hepatic injury. This plant is studied for its ability to protect mice from acute hepatic injury induced by CCl4, which involves antagonizing lipoperoxidation and improving the energy of Ca2+-ATPase of theca mitochondria and microsome. It also shows significantly protective effects on acute hepatic injury in mice or rats induced by D-GalN or Con A. Ultimately, the granule of Sambucus chinensis Lindl demonstrates significant protection against many kinds of chemical and immunological liver injuries.
The main health conditions this plant is used for are shown in the list below.
- acute hepatic injury
- acute liver-injury
- chemical liver injuries
- hepatitis
- immunological liver injuries
What are the herbal preparations of this plant?
This plant is used to create diverse medicinal preparations including 30% alcohol extraction, essential oils, ethanolic extract, and powder. The 30% alcohol extraction process allows for the stabilization of specific water-soluble compounds found within the plant tissues. For concentrated aromatic properties, essential oils are distilled from the botanical matter to provide potent therapeutic benefits. An ethanolic extract is often utilized to pull out bioactive alkaloids and flavonoids that are poorly soluble in water. Finally, the dried plant material can be processed into a fine powder for easy integration into capsules or topical applications.
According to a study published by "Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials", 26 chemical constituents of the essential oil from Sambucus chinensis Lindl. were separated and identified by GC/MS. The relative contents of these 26 chemical constituents were determined by area normalization.
The main herbal preparations of this plant are shown in the list below.
- 30% alcohol extraction
- essential oils
- ethanolic extract
- powder
What side effects this plant can have?
This plant can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dizziness when consumed improperly. These adverse reactions often occur if the berries, leaves, or bark are eaten raw or insufficiently processed. Toxic compounds such as cyanogenic glycosides found in certain parts of the plant trigger these gastrointestinal disturbances. Some individuals may also experience neurological symptoms like dizziness following ingestion. Careful preparation is necessary to avoid these significant health complications.
The main side effects this plant can have are shown in the list below.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Dizziness
What herbs are paired with Sambucus chinensis?
This plant Sambucus chinensis is traditionally paired with herbs such as Forsythia suspensa, Lonicera japonica, and Platycodon grandiflorus to enhance its ability to clear heat and resolve toxicity.
These combinations are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat respiratory ailments and skin inflammations. Forsythia and Lonicera work synergistically with the elderberry to boost the cooling properties of the formula. Adding Platycodon helps to direct the medicinal effects toward the lungs and throat.
Such pairings are carefully balanced to ensure the formula effectively addresses febrile diseases.