has been attributed to caffeoylquinic acid
derivates.^18 Hepatoprotective activity against
acetaminophen- and carbon tetrachloride-in-
duced toxicity in mice was found from oral
administration of a decoction of the root.^19
Others have reported that root ameliorated
ethanol induced liver toxicity in rats.^20
A methanol extract of the fruits inhibited
thein vitroformation of a marker of oxida-
tive stress in carcinogenesis (8-OH-dG).^21
An ethanol extract of the fruits has shown
in vitrocytotoxicity against human hepato-
ma (HepG2) cells and activity against sar-
coma 180 cells in mice. Acrtiin and arcti-
genin showed the most activity against
Hep2G cellsin vitro.^22 In vitrodifferentia-
tion-inducing, antiproliferative activity and
phagocytic cell-increasing activity in mouse
myeloid leukemia cells were found from
various lignans isolated from the fruit. Arc-
tigenin was the most active.^23 Chemo-
preventive activity against heterocyclic
amine-induced mammary carcinogenesis in
female rats was evident from the addition of
arctiin to the diet at a concentration of as
little as 0.02%.^24
In addition, hypoglycemic activity in rats
was reported from administration of burdock
fruit extracts,^25 and awater extract of the seeds
inhibited thein vitrobinding of platelet acti-
vating factor to rabbit platelets.^26
TOXICOLOGY
A decoction of the leaves as 6.25% of the daily
diet of mice for 28 days before a streptozoto-
cin-induced diabetes was found to aggravate
the condition.^27 A methanol extract of the
fruits exhibited mutagenic activity in the
rec-assay and in the Ames test only after
enzymatic activation.^28
USES
Medicinal, Pharmaceutical, and Cosmetic.
Used in some diuretic, laxative, and other
preparations. Also reportedly useful in cos-
metic and toiletry preparations for its alleged
skin-cleansing properties (DE NAVARRE);^29 used
in hair tonic and antidandruff preparations.Food. Root is used in Asia as a food; Iro-
quois Indians used the dried roots to make
soup and the young leaves were eaten cooked.Dietary Supplements/Health Foods. Seeds
used in cold remedies; leaves used in teas,
combination products, primarily as “blood
purifier” for skin ailments (acne, psoriasis,
etc.); root used as nutritive food (FOSTER AND
DUKE).Traditional Medicine. Root, leaves, and
seeds (fruits) of both species have been used
in treating cancers;^30 decoctions or tea of the
root have been used in treating rheumatism,
catarrh, gout, and stomach ailments. The root
is used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, and mild
laxative, among other uses. Decoctions and
teas of roots and leaves have been used both
externally and internally for skin problems
(e.g., eczema and scaly skin) (FOSTER AND
DUKE;LUST;TYLER1). The Micmac Indians
used the roots and buds to treat sores, and a
tea made from the seeds or roots was used by
the Cherokee as a blood cleanser (MOERMAN).
In Chinese medicine, roots collected are
from plants that are at least 2 years old.
Dried and dried and roasted fruits of
A.lappaare widely used in Chinese medicine
to treat colds, sore throat, tonsillitis, coughs,
measles, sores, and abscesses, among other
applications, usually in combination with oth-
er drugs (JIANGSU;TU).COMMERCIAL PREPARATIONSCrude and extracts. Crude root was formerly
official in N.F. and U.S.P. Strengths (see
glossary) of extracts are expressed in
weight-to-weight ratios.Regulatory Status. Regulated in the United
States as a dietary supplement and food. A
German therapeutic monograph on burdock
root does not recommend use since efficacy is
not confirmed (BLUMENTHAL1;WICHTL).Burdock 121