HERBAL MONOGRAPHS ANEMARRHENA (ZHI-MU)/31Andira araroba
See Goa PowderAnemarrhena asphodeloides
See Anemarrhena (Zhi-Mu)Anemarrhena (Zhi-Mu)
Anemarrhena asphodeloides
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the
rhizome.
Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is spike-like, and the
flowers are clustered and radial. The perianth structures are
in sixes. The tepals are free and all the same. There are 3
stamens and a 3-carpeled, fused ovary, with 1 to 3 seeds in
each chamber. The fruit is a globose capsule, which opens on
^tf 3 sides.
Leaves, Stem and Root: Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a
herbaceous perennial, and extends up to 60 cm high. The
leaves are grass-like and clustered at the base.Habitat: The plant is native to northern China, Korea and
Japan.
Production: Zhi-Mu is the dried rhizome of Anemarrhena
asphodeloides. It is best harvested in the third year of
cultivation in spring or autumn. The rhizome is then air-
dried.
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Steroid saponins (6%): aglycones sarsapogenin, markogenin,
neogitonin, particularly sarsapogenin-3-timobioside and mar-
kogenin-3-timobioside
Water-soluble polysaccharides: anemarans A to D
Lignans: hinoki resinol, among othersW Xanthones: mangiferin (1.3%)
EFFECTS
A variety of experiments have been able to demonstrate
antipyretic and cortisone-like effects for the drug with its
steroid saponin content. In addition, inhibitions of platelet
aggregation, of Na, K-ATP-ase and of DNA-polymerase
were observed. The timosaponin A-III isolated from the drug
reduced the serum levels of a 1-fetoprotein in animal
experiments.INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Zhi-Mu is used for agitation (in Oriental
medicine).Chinese Medicine: In China, Zhi-Mu is used for febrile
conditions and inflammation, diabetes, dry cough, "bone
fever" and general dehydration, painful stool or strangury. It
is also as a decoction for typhus, scarlet fever and
tuberculosis.
PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.
OVERDOSAGE
The ingestion of large dosages of the drug may lead to
gastroenteritis, intestinal colic and diarrhea, due to the
saponin content. The drug is not to be administered in the
presence of diarrhea.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Whole and cut drug preparations
for internal use.
Daily Dosage: 6 to 12 gm of drug often used with other
herbs in teas.
Storage: Should be stored in a dry and well-aired place.
LITERATURE
Dong JX, Han GY, A new active steroidal saponin from
Anemarrhena asphodeloides. Planta Med, 57:460-2, 1991 Oct.
Dong JX, Han GY, Studies on the active constituents of
Anemarrhena asphodeloides bunge. Yao Hsueh Hsueh Pao,
27:26-32, 1992.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Li PM, Zhong JL, Chen RQ, Zhang XK, Ho KL, Chiu JF,
Huang DP, Zhi-mu saponin inhibits alpha-fetoprotein gene
expression in developing rat liver. Int J Biochem, 21:15-22,
1989.
Liu JQ, Wu DW, 32 cases of postoperative osteogenic sarcoma
treated by chemotherapy combined with Chinese medicinal
herbs. Planta Med, 21: 1997.
Ma B, Wang B, Dong J, Yan X, Zhang H, Tu A, New
spirostanol glycosides from Anemarrhena asphodeloides. Letter
Planta Med, 63:376-9, 1997 Aug.
Miura T, Kako M, Ishihara E, Usami M, Yano H, Tanigawa K,
Sudo K, Seino Y, Antidiabetic effect of seishin-kanro-to in KK-
Ay mice. Planta Med, 21:320-2, 1997 Aug.
Nakashima N, Kimura I, Kimura M, Matsuura H, Isolation of
pseudoprototimosaponin AIII from rhizomes of Anemarrhena
asphodeloides and its hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin-
induced diabetic mice. J Nat Prod, 57:Kimura I, Matsuura H.