|
 |
| Original plant of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi |
| |
 |
| Dried Fruits |
|
| Name |
Latin Name: Fructus Ligustri Lucidi
Common Name: Ligustrum seed / Glossy privet fruit
Scientific Name: Ligustrum lucidum Ait [fruit]
Chinese Name: 女貞子
Pinyin Name: Nu zhen zi |
| Top |
|
| Origin |
| Ripe fruit of Ligustrum lucidum Ait., an evergreen arbor tree of family Oleaceae.[1] |
| Top |
|
| Where Does It Grow? |
| It is mainly distributed in the Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan, Sichuan and Fujian provinces of China.[1] |
| Top |
|
| Nature and Taste |
| Fructus Ligustri Lucidi is sweet and bitter in taste, cool in nature and manifests its therapeutic actions in the liver and kidney meridians.[1] |
| Top |
|
| Identified Active Components/ Major Chemical Constituents[2] |
| The fruit contains nuzhenide, olenropein, -hydroxy-beta-phenylethyl-beta-dglucoside, oleanolic acid, manitol, betulin, lupeol, salidroside, oleic acid, linolenic acid, palmitic acid and other fatty acids. [5-7] The skin of the fruit contains oleanolic, acetyl oleanolic acid and ursolic acids. The seed contains 14.9% lipids and the lipids contains 19.5% palmitic and stearic acids as well as 80.5% oleic and linolenic acids. Its flower bud contains manitol, rutin, luteolin-7-beta-D-glucoside, apigenin-7-beta-D-glucoside, apigenin-7-beta-D-glucoside and quercetin. [7-8] The leaf contains oleanolic glycoside, 4-hydroxy-beta-phenylethyl-beta-d glucoside and ligstroside. The volatile organic content of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi contains large amounts of ester, alcohol, ether, thioketone and hydrocarbon and small amounts of amine and aldehyde. [6] |
| Top |
|
| Historical Use |
The Chinese name of (NuzhenziFructus Ligustri Lucidi) is actually comprised of three Chinese words. The first word “Nu” (女) means “female” . The second word “zhen” means “chaste”. The third word “Zi” (子) refers to “fruit”. In Chinese, the Fructus Ligustri Lucidi is known as the fruit of a chaste woman. During the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen explained in the Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica): “The tree keeps verdant (green) even in cold winter, and seems to have the conduct of a chaste women. Therefore it is named as Nuzhen for its chaste quality.” [4] Woman, feminine characteristics, winter and quiet properties all belong to yin. From the name of the herb, we can understand how the ancients interpreted its nature and character.
According to a summary in the Bencao Congxin (New Compilation of Materia Medica), Fructus Ligustri Lucidi is sweet and bitter with cool properties. It has the essence (jing) of shaoyin (kidney), and does not wither in the depth of winter. It benefits liver and kidneys, eases the five yin organs, strengthens the lower back and knees, “brightens” the ears and the eyes and “darkens” the moustache and hair. This herb is actually characterized as being pure yin with extreme quietness.[3] |
| Top |
|
| What is It Used for in TCM? |
Fructus Ligustri Lucidi invigorates liver yin and kidney yin, darkens the hair and benefits the eyes.[1]
Treatment of simultaneous liver and kidney yin deficiency manifesting with symptoms of blurred and dark vision, decreased visual acuity, early hair whitening, lower back soreness, ringing in the ears and heat due to yin deficiency.In TCM theory, the liver opens into the eyes while the kidneys open into the ears and manifest in the hair. When there are yin deficiencies in both the liver and kidneys, the eyes and hair lack nourishment resulting in symptoms like blurred and dark vision, decreased visual acuity and early whitening of the hair. Fructus Ligustri Lucidi can invigorate and slowly nourish both liver and kidney yin making these symptoms generally associated with aging much milder. |
| Top |
|
| Pharmacological Actions |
| 1. |
Effect on Immune Function |
| |
|
| |
Animal Studies
Mice were administered by gavage with a Fructus Ligustri Lucidi decoction at 12.5g/kg and 25g/kg (=1g/ml raw herb) for seven consecutive days. Results showed both dosages of decoction were able to increase the weights of the thymus and spleens in mouse pups. At 25g/kg, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi decoction was able to increase the weight of the spleen but not the thymus of adult mice. Similarly, an injection of 10mg/kg Fructus Ligustri Lucidi polysaccharide to mice everyday for seven days was able to increase the spleen weight by 30% (149.3 ± 13.5mg/20g vs. 110 ± 11.7mg/20g) in the control group. [9]
Fructus Ligustri Lucidi decoction was shown to increase the activity of serum hemolysin antibody and serum IgG levels. A Fructus Ligustri Lucidi decoction of 25mg/kg counteracted the decrease in mouse serum IgG levels caused by cyclophosphamide suggesting Fructus Ligustri Lucidi may reduce the immuno-suppressive effects of cyclophosphamide. [9]
A dose of 10mg/kg and 50mg/kg Fructus Ligustri Lucidi was able to increase the proliferation rate of ConA stimulated mouse lymphocytes by 120% and 70% respectively. When sarcoma (S180) bearing mice were injected i.p with 50mg/kg cyclophosphamide, their lymphocyte proliferation was suppressed. Further, administration of 40mg/kg Fructus Ligustri Lucidi to these mice was able to attenuate the cyclophosphamide's immune suppressing effects. [10]
Mice orally fed with 75mg/kg and 150mg/kg oleanolic acid for five days showed increased prostaglandins (PGE2 and PGF2α) contents in lung and kidney tissues, indicating that oleanolic acid might have stimulatory effects on cyclo-oxgenase activity. When treated with oleanic acid, mice had less histamine release than in the normal saline control group, suggesting oleanolic acid may have inhibitory effects on histamine secretion. [11]
|
|
|
| 2. |
Enhancement in SOD Activity |
| |
|
| |
Animal studies |
| |
Mice divided into four groups of an old aged vitamin control group, a young aged vitamin C control group, an old aged Fructus Ligustri Lucidi treatment group and a young aged Fructus Ligustri Lucidi group were treated with either a vitamin C or a Fructus Ligustri Lucidi ethanol extract (=20ml raw herb) for 40 consecutive days. Liver SOD activity was then measured. It was found that the SOD activity detected in young mice was significantly higher than that detected in old mice (0.40±0.16u/mg protein vs. 0.27±0.12u/mg protein) suggesting that SOD activity decreased as age increased. Oral administration of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and vitamin C can increase SOD activities in old age mice livers 59% and 48% respectively.[12] |
|
|
| 3. |
Increase in White Cell Count |
| |
|
| |
Animal studies |
| |
When mice were administered by gavage with a 40g/kg Fructus Ligustri Lucidi ethanol extract, cyclophosphamide induced white blood cell count reduction could be restored. Other studies also reported, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi was able to restore depressed white cell counts resulting from chemo- or radiotherapy treatments[5]. When cyclophosphamide treated mice were orally fed with Fructus Ligustri Lucidi‘s active ingredient oleanolic acid (100mg/kg) for four consecutive days, their white cell counts could be increased from 5141±434 to 6595±61.[13] Some other reports have claimed that Fructus Ligustri Lucidi may be able to stimulate blood generation in the bone marrow.[14] |
|
|
| 4. |
Effects on Cardiovascular System |
| |
|
| |
Animal studies |
| |
The alcohol solution of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi was shown to increase the coronary blood flow of isolated rabbit hearts. However, it inhibited the contractility of heart muscle and had no significant effect on heart rate. Conversely, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extract was shown to increase the cardiac (heart) output, heart rate, aortic arterial pressure and central venous pressure of dogs.[15] |
|
|
| 5. |
Liver Protective Effect |
| |
|
| |
Animal Studies |
| |
Rats were given a subcutaneous injection of oleanolic acid (one of the active ingredients of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi), at a dose of 100mg/kg and 50mg/kg for 6 days. Results showed that the serum ALT (SGPT) level decreased suggesting this active ingredient may provide protection against rat liver damage induced by CCl4 and promote the regeneration of liver cells. Oleanolic acid was also reported to reduce the triglycerides stored in the liver, alleviate the degenerative necrosis of liver cells, increase glycogen stores and lower the γ-immunoglobulin levels in the serum.[16-18] |
|
|
| 6. |
Hypoxia Tolerance |
| |
|
| |
Animal studies |
| |
When mice were injected i.p. with 0.7ml acetic acid extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi leaf, they were able to survive longer in hypoxic conditions with low pressure.[15] |
|
|
| 7. |
Anti-cancer effects |
| |
|
| |
Animal studies |
| |
When 60g/kg Fructus Ligustri Lucidi water extract was administered to mice with uterine cervix carcinoma, tumor growth was inhibited by 49.2%. However, the same Fructus Ligustri Lucidi treatment showed no effect on sarcoma (S180) and lymphoma (L1) cells grown in mice.[7] |
|
|
| 8. |
Toxicity |
| |
|
| |
Acute toxicity: No toxic side effect was detected in rabbits fed with 75g fresh ripe fruit[7]. Mice injected i.v. with ethyl acetate extract of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi leaf showed no abnormal behavior and no death cases were reported. Dogs, weighing 15kg and injected i.v. with 50mg Fructus Ligustri Lucidi leaf extract, showed no abnormality in behavior, food consumption 24 hours after the injection. No adverse event was recorded.
Subacute toxicity: Rabbits injected i.p. with 50mg/kg Fructus Ligustri Lucidi extracts once a day for six to 12 weeks showed no abnormality in the histology of major organs[15].
|
|
| Top |
| Administration and Dosage |
| A decoction is typically made with 10-15g of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi and three to four cups of boiling water until the volume is reduced by half.[1] A decoction is usually taken orally and split into two doses but this dose may taken all at once or escalated depending on the person's condition and recommendation by the Chinese medicine practitioner. |
| Top |
|
| Adverse Effect, Side Effects and Cautions |
| Fructus Ligustri Lucidi may lead to symptoms of abdominal pain and diarrhea if not used in conditions with yin deficiency.[3] |
| Top |
| References |
| 1. |
雷載權主編《中藥學》上海科學技術出版社, 2000年6月。
Lui Daiquan, ed. Chinese Medicine. Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, Jun-2000. |
|
|
| 2. |
李家實主編《中藥鑒定學》上海科學技術出版社, 2000年2月。
Li Jiashi, ed. Chinese Medicine Identification. Shanghai Scientific and Technical Publishers, Feb-2000. |
|
|
| 3. |
吳儀洛《本草從新》1757AD。
Wu Yiluo. Bencao Congxin (New Compilation of Materia Medica), 1757AD. |
|
|
| 4. |
李時珍《本草綱目》1578AD。
Li Shizhen, Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), 1578AD. |
|
|
| 5. |
中國醫學科學院藥物研究所等編，《中藥志》人民衛生出版社172-176頁。
Pharmaceutical Institute of the Academy of Medical Science of China, ed. Chinese Medicine Record, People’s Medical Publishing House.* |
|
|
| 6. |
李開輝，等•女貞子揮發油化學成分的研究•中成藥1992; 12(12):32。
Li Kaihui, et al. Study of the chemical ingredients of volatile oils in Fructus Ligustri Lucidi. Proprietary Chinese Medicine 1992; 12(12):32.* |
|
|
| 7. |
王浴生主編，《中藥藥理與應用》人民衛生出版社1983; 130-135頁。
Wang Yusheng, ed. Chinese Medicine Pharmacology and Application. People’s Medical Publishing House 1983; p130-135.* |
|
|
| 8. |
王軍憲，女貞花化學成分的研究，中國中藥雜誌1990; 15(3):40。
Li Junxian. Study of the chemical ingredients in Fructus Ligustri Lucidi. Pharmaceutical Journal of China 1990; 15(3):40.* |
|
|
| 9. |
戴岳，等•女貞子煎劑對小鼠免疫系統的作用•中國藥科大學學報1987; 18(4):301。
Dai Yue, et al. Effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi decoction on the mice immune system. Journal of Pharmacy School of China 1987; 18(4):301.* |
|
|
| 10. |
于魯鋼，等•女貞子多糖的提取及對小鼠免疫功能的影響•中國藥學雜誌1992; 27(1):26。
Yu Lugang , et al. Effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi polysaccharides extract on the mice immune functions. Pharmaceutical Journal of China. 1992; 27(1):26.* |
|
|
| 11. |
任駿，等•齊墩果酸對前列腺素及環核?酸的影響•中國藥學雜誌 1992;27(1): 179-181。
Ren Jun, et al. Effects of oleanolic acid on on prostaglandins and cAMP. The China Pharmaceutica Journal 1992;27(1): 179-181.* |
|
|
| 12. |
趙瑛，等•女貞子對小鼠腦、肝過氧化脂質含量及對肝SOD活性的影響•中國藥學報1990; (6):47。
Zhao Ying, et al. Effects of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi on the lipid peroxide content in mice brain, liver and the effects on liver SOD activity. China Pharmaceutical Journal 1990; (6):47.* |
|
|
| 13. |
載培興，等•女貞子中的升白細胞有效成分的實驗研究•中成藥研究1982; (1):42。
Dai Peixing, et al. Experimental study of active ingredients of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi that increases white blood cell counts. Proprietary Chinese Medicine Studies 1982; (1):42.* |
|
|
| 14. |
筠默，等•抗衰老中藥研究進展，《藥理學進展》人民衛生出版社1986; 56-67。
Wang Yunmo, et al. Study progress of anti-ageing Chinese Medicine. Progress of Pharmacology. People’s Medical Publishing House 1986; 56-67.* |
|
|
| 15. |
國人民解放軍163醫院中心實驗室，等•女貞葉醋酸乙酯總提物藥理實驗報告•中草藥通訊1979; 10(8):21。
Chinese People’s Liberation Army 163 Hospital Central Laboratory , et al. Pharmacological experimental report of total acetic acid extract Fructus Ligustri Lucidi leaf. Newsletter of Chinese Herbal Medicine 1979; 10(8):21.* |
|
|
| 16. |
馬學惠，等•齊墩果酸防治實驗性肝損傷作用的研究•藥學學報1982; 17(2):93。
Ma Xuehui, et al. Study of effects of oleanolic acid on preventing and treating experimental liver damage. Pharmaceutical Journal 1982; 17(2):93.* |
|
|
| 17. |
韓德五，等•齊墩果酸防止實驗性肝硬變發生的研究•中醫雜誌1981; 22(3):57。
Han Dewu, et al. Study of effects of oleanolic acid on preventing and treating experimental cirrhosis. Pharmaceutical Journal 1981; 22(3):57.* |
|
|
| 18. |
冀春萱，等•齊墩果酸對急性實驗性肝損傷的防治作用•山西醫藥雜誌1980; 9(6):5。
Ji Chunxuan, et al. Study of effects of oleanolic acid on preventing and treating experimental liver damage. Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal of Shanxi 1980; 9(6):5.* |
| |
|
| * |
Quoted in “Wang BX ed. Modern Pharmacological studies on Chinese Medicine. Tianjin Scientific Technology Publishing, 1999: 1347-1352.”
引述自“王本祥編，《現代中藥藥理學》天津科學技術出版社，1999: 1347-1352。” |
|
| Top |
|
|
|
|
