1. Immune regulation: Fructus xanthii both remarkably inhibit the cellular and humoral immune response. It could decrease the counts of helper T cells (TH) and suppressor T cells (TS). TH/TS ratio, β-endorphin in the hypothalamus and plasma also significantly reduced [1]. In addition, Fructus xanthiii could inhibit the human peripheral blood lymphocyte expression of interleukin-2 receptor which was induced by concanavalin A. Its inhibition effect had been generated in the early stage of medication, not drug cytotoxicity induced, suggesting that the Fructus xanthii possessed the inhibition of mitogen original stimulate T cell activity [2]. 

2. Hypoglycemic: Carboxy atractyloside, one of the compounds contained in the Xanthium strumarium, possesses the remarkably hypoglycemic effect on normal rats, rabbits and dogs, either injection or oral administration. Meanwhile it could reduce the alloxan-induced blood glucose increase in rats [3]. Caffeic acid, one of the phenolic compounds contained in the fruit of Xanthim strumarium, reduced the elevation of plasma glucose level in insulin-resistant rats receiving a glucose challenge test. Also, glucose uptake into the isolated adipocytes was raised by caffeic acid in a concentration-dependent manner. Increase of glucose utilization by caffeic acid seems to be responsible for the lowering of plasma glucose [4].

3. Anti-allergy: The 70% ethanolic extract from Xanthium sibiricum fruits dose-dependently inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic shock in mice and ovalbumin-induced homologous passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats. In vitro, it reduced compound 48/80-induced histamine release and antigen-induced secretion from rat peritoneal mast cells. These findings suggest that Xanthium sibiricum has inhibitory effects on mast cell-dependent immediate allergic reactions, which appears to be mediated by reducing the release of mediators such as histamine from mast cells via stabilizing mase cell membrane [5]. 

4. Anti-thrombotic:  Xanthium extract 0.2g (crude drug)/ml can significantly extent the time of bovine thrombin to unite the human fibrinogen, possessing obvious antithrombin effects [6]. The 75% ethanolic extract from Xanthium sibiricum fruits could also remarkably prolong carotid artery thrombosis time of the electrical stimulated anesthetized rats. Meanwhile, it mildly prolonged clotting time, did not prolong the partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time [7].

5. Anti-oxidant: Xanthium could effectively reduce lipid peroxidation, reduce the organization of lipid peroxide content, avoid the damaging effects of harmful substances in the tissue structure and function. It could also enhance the body's free radical scavenging ability and reduce free radical damage to the body [8]. 

6. Cardiovascular system: Xanthium decoction inhibit isolated frog heart and guinea pig heart,  expand the rabbit ear blood vessels, but blood vessels of the frog is the first expansion after contraction. Xanthium injection can short-term decline in blood pressure in rabbits and dogs. Glycoside AA2 (water extract from Xanthium) have a mild hypotensive effect on rats, and enhanced vascular permeability [9].

7. Anti-virus: Ethanol extract 1:5 or 1:10 dilution can suppress the herpes virus. The extract have no toxic effect on normal cells in the used drug concentration range [10].

8. Anti-bacterial: Xanthium decotion possess a strong inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, beta streptococcus, diphtheria and other micro-organisms in vitro [11]. 

9. Digestive system: Xanthium 75% ethanol extract significantly inhibit mouse hydrochloric acid ulcer formation, antagonized the senna-induced mouse colon diarrhea [12,13]. 

10. Anti-tumor: Combined with chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Xanthium can enhance the destruction of cancer cells, inhibit the proliferation of carcinoid tumor, and inhibited  EC tumor cells [14].

1.Acute Mastitis: 29 cases received “Cang Er Zi Decotation” (Xanthii Fructus 15g, ANGELICAE Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Leonuri Herba and Lycopi Herba each 10g. decoted with Water, and take it with yellow wine, one dose a day). Results: 28 cases healed (symptoms disappeared in 2~5 days), 1 case improved, the total effective rate was 100%^[1].

2. Children and Adolescents Chronic Sinusitis: 106 cases in the treatment group firstly used cefuroxime, intranasal drop nose, after nasal unobstructed, plus Xanthii Fructus oil ( fried Xanthii Fructus with moderate oil,and joined hydrocortisone 0.1 mg, chlorpheniramine 0.05 mg in 1ml Xanthii Fructus oil) drop nose, and at the same time, oral “CangEr TongQiao Decotation”(Xanthii Fructus 12g, Gypsum Ustum 12g, Magnoliae Flos 9g etc. one prescription for 2 doses a day, 10 days made up one course, pediatric dosage reduction). 62 cases in the treatment group used cefuroxime, intranasal drop nose, 3 times a day. At the same time take antibiotics 7~10 days in two groups. Results: In the treatment group, The total effective rate was 97.17%, and in the control group, the total effective rate was 73.23%.The effect in the treatment group is better than the control group(P < 0.01)^[2].

3. Infantile Diarrhea: Besides the conventional treatment and nursing care, the treatment group used Xanthii Fructus 50g to 70g, decoted with 3000 ml water, soaked for 30 min, slow fire burning for 15 min after boiling. Filtered and let the medication solution temperature to drop to 35 ℃ ~ 38℃, then submerged the patient's leg and foot into the medication solution. 3 times a day, at the same time, massage acupuncture points in foot. There are 48 cases in the treatment group. In the Control group, there are 48 cases, Besides the conventional treatment and nursing care, respectively choosed lincomycin, ampicillin, cephalosporins, butylamine to intravenous drip, when necessary, oraled rehydration or intravenous fluid infusion. Four days for one period of treatment. Results: .After one course treatmen, in the treatment group: 46 cases cured(95.77%), 1 case effected(2.15%), 1 case ineffected(2.15%). In the Control group: 30 cases cured(62.5%), 12 cases effected(25%), 6 cases invalid(12.5%). By the result, The effect in the treatment group is better than the control group(P < 0.01)[3].

4.Genital Herpes: 42 cases. received Xanthii Fructus oil (Xanthii Fructus powder 30 g, add sesame oil 50 g, add borneol 2g after boiling with slow fire, mixed and rub the affected part 2 times in the morning and evening with Xanthii Fructus oil). 44 cases in control group rub the affected part 2 times in the morning and evening with Aciclovir Ointment, 7 days for one course in two groups. Results: The treatment group total effectiveness was 90.48%, he control group total effectiveness was 90.91%, the two groups had on significant difference(P > 0.05) [4]

4.Atrophic Rhinitis: 368 cases used the “Fufang Canger Oil” (broken Xanthii Fructus 160g, Magnoliae Flos 16 g, Asari Radix Et Rhizoma 10 g, soak 24h in the 1000 ml small sesame oil, then boiled into about 800 ml, after cooled and filtered, bottled standby), 3~4 times nose droping every day, 1 month is acourse, usually 2-4 course as the all treatment. At the same time patients oraled antibiotics and vitamin AD, vitamin E etc.). Rusult: 127 cases were markedly effective(34.5%), 202 cases were effective(54.9%), 39 cases were invalid(10.6%)^[5].

1. Acute folliculitis, acute and chronic eczema

2.Eczema of scrotum

3.Dim sighted, tinnitus

4. Sinusitis with sticky nasal mucus

5. Abdominal dropsy, dysuria

6. Urticaria with severe itching in female

Clinical reseach:

[1] SunDanChun. The clinical observation of “Cang Er Zi Decotation” in the treatment of29 cases with acute mastitis. Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicinel[J], 2007, (2) : 89.

[2] Li QiaoFeng. The clinical study of cocklebur in the treatment of 106 children and adolescents with chronic sinusitis——62 cases report of pure western medicine treatment in the control group. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine[J] , 2004, (8) : 338.

[3] Li XiuHua, Shao MingCui, Zhu YuPing. The clinical observation of “Cang Er Zi Decotation” in the treatment of 48 infants wirh diarrhea[J], Traditional Chinese Medicine Research, 2001,(3) : 22.

[4] Xiao MeiFang, Huang Jie. The clinical observation of Xanthii Fructus oil in the external treatment of genital herpes[J], Jiangxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine ，2004，（04）：40

[5] Han GuiTing, Fang XueXian, Liu Lin, The clinical observation of “Fufang Canger Oil” in the treatment of 368 cases with atrophic rhinitis[J].Chinese Otorhinolaryngological Journal of Integrative Medicine 2005, (6) : 345.