PDR for Herbal Medicines

486 /LUNGWORT

Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel. 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Lupinus luteus

See Yellow Lupin

Lycium barbarum

See Lycium Berries (Go-Qi-Zi)

Lycium Bark (Di-Gu-Pi)

Lycium chinense

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts of the plant are the

fruit and root bark.

Flower and Fruit: The plant has 1 to 3 axillary, radial

flowers. The calyx and petals are fused; the calyx is bilabial

with a double-toothed upper lip and triple-toothed lower lip.

The corolla is funnel-shaped, light purple or violet with a 5-

lobed margin. There are 4 stamens, which are hairy at the

base. The ovary is 2-chambered with 1 style. The fruit is a

yellow-orange, elongate, sweet-tasting berry.

Leaves, Stem and Root: Lycium chinense is a shrub that

grows up to 3 m high. The leaves are alternate, ovate-

lanceofertg?fb«rhomboid, narrowing suddenly to the petiole,

and bright grfferif'TKe branches are cane-like, initially

upright, then hanging down bow-like and thornless.

Habitat: The plant is native to eastern Asia, particularly to

China and Japan.

Production: Lycium bark is the dried root bark of Lycium

chinense or Lycium barbarum. Harvest begins in early spring

or in late autumn when the roots are dug up and then peeled.

The root bark is then cleaned and dried in the sun. Lycium

leaves are the dried leaves of Lycium chinense.

Other Names: Chinese Matrimony Vine, Chinese Wolfberry

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS: LYCIUM ROOT BARK

Polyamines: kukoamine A (spermidin-dihydrocaffeoyl-

bisamide)

Dipeptides: Lyciumamide (N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanyl-L-
phenylalaninol-acetate)

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Cyclopeptides: lyciumin A, lyciumin B

Steroids: sterols, including beta-sitosterol, 5alpha-stigmas-

tan-3,6-dione

Diterpenes: sugiol

EFFECTS: LYCIUM ROOT BARK

The methanolic root extract and the kukoamine A isolated

from the plant are reported to have had significant antihyper-

tensive effects in animal experiments. The isolated octapep-

tides lyciumines A and B are believed to inhibit the activity

of renin and the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Experimen-

tal data confirming these results are not available.

COMPOUNDS: LYCIUM LEAVES

Steroids: withasteroids (0.1%), including withanolide A,

withanolide B

Sterols: including beta-sitosterol and beta-sitosterol

glucoside

EFFECTS: LYCIUM LEAVES

No experimental data regarding the pharmacological efficacy

of the drug are available. In vitro experimental models have

indicated that the steroid withanolide isolated from it may

have immunosuppressive effect.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

LYCIUM ROOT BARK

Unproven Uses: The root of the plant is used in fever and

blood pressure-reducing medications. The berries are consid-

ered to provide a liver and kidney tonic.

Chinese Medicine: Used internally for fever, hyperhidrosis,

thirst, coughs, nose bleeds, pulpitis, diabetes, hypertension,

malaria and for black vomit. External uses include eczema

and rheumatism. Efficacy for these indications has not yet

been proven.

LYCIUM LEAVES

Unproven Uses: Preparations from the leave are used in folk

medicine for whooping cough and paroxysmal cough (Iberi-

an peninsula), as a mouthwash for toothache (Indonesia).

Chinese Medicine: Lycium leaf is used for inflammatory

processes, such as rheumatism, and as a tea taken for pain.

Indian Medicine: Used for rheumatism.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

LYCIUM ROOT BARK AND LEAVES

No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper

administration of designated therapeutic dosages.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

LYCIUM ROOT BARK

Contraindications include pregnancy, symptoms of the

common cold and diarrhea.