| [English Name] | Australian Cowplant Root or Twig | |
| [Chinese Name] | 匙羹藤 | |
| [Pinying Name] | Shigengteng | |
| [Latin Name] | Radix et Ramulus Gymnematis Sylvestris | |
| [Genera] | Asclepiadaceae | |
| [Efficacy] | Blood circulation drug | |
| [Pictures] | Plant picture | Drug picture |
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| [Alias] | 断肠苦蔓，小羊角扭，羊角藤(Morinda umbellate)，金刚藤（Rhizoma Smilax China），蛇天角，饭构藤，细叶羊角扭 | |
| [Source] | It is from the root or tender leaf and branch of Gymnema sylvestre(Retz.)Schult. inGymnema genus of the Asclepiadaceae family. | |
| [Plant morphology] | Gymnemasylvestre is woody climber and its wholeplant is of milk; the bark with lenticels appears gray-brown, and tenderbranches are covered with microtrichia.Its double leaves grow oppositely; rosetteglandsare on the tip of the pubescent, and the shape of leaves are obovate orovate-oblong, 3~8cm inlength and 1.5~4cm inwidth, only vein covered with microtrichia;there are 4~5 pairs of bend-arch and rising lateral veins; the inflorescence of Gymnema sylvestre, as a cyme, is in umbrellashape and axillary; peduncle and pedicels are covered by pubescent; five calyxesand lobes are covered with ciliate, with five glands inside the base of lobesand corolla slightly to cover towards right; corona is under the bend of the corolla lobes, thick to be hard tea zone;five stamens of Gymnema sylvestreflower are growing at the bottom of the corolla tube; anther apex is with adiaphragm; each pollen room has a long oval-shaped and vertical pollinia; thestigma extends beyond the anther. Itsfruit is in claw shape, apex acuminate and base dilated. Its seed is oval andat the apes of white silk-like seedhair. | |
| [Distribution] | Gymnema sylvestre is distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Hong Kong, Fujian, Zhejiang and Taiwan in Chinaand in India, Vietnam, Indonesia,Australia and tropical Africa. | |
| [Gathering and processing] | ||
| [Characteristics] | The cylindrical root is 1~3 cmin diameter, usually cut into oblique slices, 2~5 mm in thickness; the outer surface with cracks andlenticels is quite rough and gray-brown; the cutting faces of root turns yellowwith many fine ostioles in its xylem, bended as ring-like cambium with pithloose and light-brown. The gray-brown cylinder-like stem contains lenticels,covered with microtrichia.Its leaves grow oppositely and most shrinks. The complete one is in obovate orovate-oblong, 3~8cm in length,and 1.5~4cm in width, and veinis only covered with microtrichia;both the litter and tender leaf possess milk. The petiole with short-hair is 3~10mm in length. It is micro-gas and bitter taste. | |
| [Ecology] | Gymnema sylvestre grows in the hillside forest or bush. | |
| [Chemical composition] | Theleaf contains triterpenoids:gymnemic acids I-XⅧ,A[2-4]; gymnemosides a,b,c,d,e,f[5-7],gymnemasins A,B,C,D[8], sitakisogenin, oleanolic acid28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid28-O-β-D-glucopyranoside[9],longispinogenin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside,21β-benzoylsitakisogenin-3-O-β-D-glucuronopyranoside,3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1-6)-β-D- glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester,oleanolic acid3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1-6)-β-D-glucopyranoside,3-O-β-D- xylopyranosyl(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl (1-6)-β-D- glucopyranosyloleanolic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl oleanolic acid 28-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl (1-6)-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester[10],21β-benzoylsitakisogenin-3-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl(1-3)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside,thepotassium salt of longispinogenin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl(1-3)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside, the potassium salt of29-hydroxylongispinogenin3-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl(1-3)-β-D-glucuronopyranoside[11];flavonoids:kaempferol-3-O-β-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-6)-β-D-galactopyranoside,quercetin-3-O-6’’-(3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl)-β-D-glucopyranoside[12];polypeptides:gurmarin[13]. | |
| [Pharmacological activities] |
1. Anti-hyperglycemic effects The leaf extract (mainlycontaining gymnemic acids) suppressed the elevation of blood glucose level byinhibiting intestinal glucose uptake in guinea pigs and rats [14]. In vitro, the herbal ethanol extractpromoted insulin release from pancreatic gland β cell HIT-T15, MIN6,and RINm5Fby increasing cell membrane permeability [15].Theherbal saponin fraction administered intraperitoneally reduced blood glucoselevels in mice with streptozocin-induced hyperglycemia. The potency of gymnemicacid Ⅳ was comparable to that of glyburide, and at a high does it increased thelevel of serum insulin, but did not affect the blood glucose level in normalmice. Gymnemic acid Ⅳ was the main active anti-hyperglycemic component [16]. The leaf water soluble extractsignificantly reduced the helatin level in isolated rat hemidiaphragm[17].In addition, the leaf extract reducedcorticosteroid-induced hyperglycemia in mice [18-19]. 2. Anti-hyperlipidemic effects Gymnemic acids increasedthe levels of cholesterol and bile acid excretion in rats [20].The leaf 50% ethanol extractadministered orally inhibited weight gain and liver fat accumulation inhyperlipidemic rats. The mechanism was due to the ability of the extract to increasethe excretion of acidic and neutral cholesterol, reduce the levels of serumtotal cholesterol and triglycerides (TG), and enhance the activity ofacyltransferase in the blood [21-22]. 3. Effects on gustation The leaf extractnon-competitively inhibited 8 types of sweetening agents, including aspartame,stevioside, sucrose, and glucose [1].Gurmarin extracted from the leaf inhibited 45-75% of sweet gustation in micewith gurmarin-sensitive receptors, and the inhibitory effects were irreversible[23]. However, it did not have gustationinhibitory effects against sodium chloride, hydrochloric acid, quininehydrochloride, and other amino acids [24]. 4. Others Gymnemic acids alsoinhibited tooth decay [1] andintestinal absorption of oleic acid [25].The leaf ethanol extract also had anti-bacterial effects [26]. |
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| [Clinical trial] | Stage Ⅰ,Ⅱ internal hemorrhoid hemorrhage: Radix et Ramulus Gymnematis Sylvestris was boiled or soaked in hot water for orally taking, 30～60g a day, 5 days for 1 course.. After 1 courses of treatment, in 60 cases, 45 cases were cured, 11 cases improved, 4 cases failed. The total effective rate was 93.3%[1]. |
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| [Properties] | ||
| [Medical and other Uses] | ||
| [Dosage] | ||
| [Cautions] | ||
| [Traditional usage] |
1. Carbuncle, subcutaneous ulcer, and furuncle 2. Innominate toxin swelling, and eczema, |
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| [Toxicological studies] | ||
| [Pharmaceutical preparations] | ||
| [References] |
Chemical Composition: [1] Wang Ying, Ye Wencai, Liu Xin, Fan Chunlin, Zhao Shouxun. Three From Gymnema Sylvestre Saponins And Their Pharmacological Activities. Foreign Medicine ( Botany Fascicule ).2003,18(4):146-151 [2] Wei Baowei, Shi Qian. Gymnema Sylvestre In The Study Of Foreign Medicine ( Herbal Medicine) .1996,11(3):107-111 [3]HM Liu, F Kiuchi, Y Tsuda.Isolation And Structure Elucidation Of Gymnemicacids, Anti-Sweet Principles Of Gymnemasylvestre.Chemical &Pharmaceutical Bulletin.1992,40(6):1366-1375 [4] Wang Ying, Feng Yijun, Wang Xiaoling, Xu Huichuan. Gymnema Sylvestre An Isolation And Identification Of New Components. Journal Of Pharmacy And Pharmacology Of.2004,19(5):336-338 [5]N Murakami, T Murakami, M Kadoya, H Matsuda, J Yamahara, M Yoshikawa.New Hypoglycemic Constituents In" Gymnemic Acid" From Gymnema Sylvetre.Chemical & Pharmaceuticalbulletin.1996,44(2):469-471 [6]M Yoshikawa, T Murakami, M Kadoya, Y Li, N Murakami, J Yamahara, Hmatsuda.Medicinal Foodstuffs. Inhibitors Of Glucoseansorption FromⅨ.The The Leaves Of Gymnemasylvetre R.BR. ( Asclepiadaceae ): Structures Of Gymnemosides A And B.Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin.1997,45(10):1671-1676 [7]M Yoshikawa, T Murakami, H Matsuda.Medicinal Foodstuffs. X .Structures Of New Triterpene Glycosides, Gymnemosides-C, -D, -E, And -F, Fromthe Leaves Of Gymnema Sylvestrer.Br.: Influence Of Gymnema Glycosides On Glucose Uptake In Rat Small Intestinalfragments. Chemical & Pharmaceuticalbulletin.1997,45(12):2034-2038 [8]NP Sahu, SB Mahato, SK Sarkar, G Poddar.Triterpenoid Saponins From Gymnema Sylvestre.Phytochemistry.1996,41(4):1181-1185 [9] Liu Xin, Ye Wencai, Xu Deran, Zhang Qingwen, Zhao Shouxun. The Car Zhentao, Gymnema Sylvestre Three Terpene And Saponins Composition Research Of China Medicine University. .1999,30(3):174-176 [10]WC Ye, QW Zhang, X Liu, CT Che, SX Zhao.Oleanane Saponins From Gymnema Sylvestre.Phytochemistry.2000,53(8):893-899 [11]WC Ye, X Liu, QW Zhang, CT Che, SX Zhao.Anti-Sweet Saponins From Gymnema Sylvestre.Journal Of Natural Products.2001,64(2):232-235 [12]X Liu, WC Ye, B Yu, SX Zhao, H Wu, CT Che.Two New Flavonol Glycosides Fromgymnema Sylvestre And Euphorbia Ebractrolata.Carbohydrate Research.2004339(4):891-895 [13]K Kamei, R Takano, A Miyasaka, T Imoto, S Hara.Amino Acid Sequence Ofsweet-Taste-Suppressing Peptide ( Gurmarin ) From The Leaves Of Gymnema Sylvestre.Journal Of Biochemistry.1992111(1):109-112 Pharmacological Effect: [1]K Shimizu, A Iino, J Nakajima, K Tanaka, S Nakajyo, N Urakawa, M Atsuchi, Twada, C Yamashita.Suppression Of Glucose Absorption By Some Fractions Extractedfrom Gymnema Sylvestr Leaves.The Journal Of Veterinary Medical Science.1997,59(4):245-251 [2]SJ Persaud, H Al-Majed, A Raman, PM Jones. Gymnema Sylvestr Stimulates Insulin Release In Vitro By Increasedmembrane Permeability.The Journal Of Endocrinology.1999163(2):207-212 [3]Y Sugihara, H Nojima, H Matsuda, T Murakami, M Yoshikawa, Ikimura.Anti-Hyperglycemic Effects Of Gymnemic Acid A Compound Derived FromⅣ, Gymnemasylvestr Leaves In Streptozotocin-Diabetic Mice.Journal Of Asian Natural Products Research.2000,2(4):321-327 [4]RR Chattopadhyay.Possible Mechanism Of Anti-Hyperglycemic Effect Of Gymnema Sylvestr Leaf Extract, PartⅠ.General Pharmacology.1998,31(3):495-496 [5]S Gholap, A Kar.Effects Of Inularacemosa Root And Gymnema Sylvestr Leaf Extracts In Theregulation Of Corticosteroid Induced Diabetes Mellitus:Involvement Of Thyroidhormones.Die Pharmazie.2003,58(6):413-415 [6]S Gholap, A Kar.Hypoglycaemic Effects Of Some Plant Extracts Arepossibly Mediated Through Inhibition In Corticosteroid Concentration.Die Pharmazie.2004,59(11):876-878 [7]Y Nakamura, Y Tsumura, Y Tonogai, T Shibata.Fecal Steroid Excretion Isincreased In Rats By Oral Administration Of Gymnemic Acids Contained In Gymnema Sylvestr Leaves.The Journal Ofnutrition.1999129(6):1214-1222 [8]N Shigematsu, R Asano, M Shimosaka, M Okazaki.Effect Of Longterm-Administration With Gymnema Sylvestrr.BR On Plasma And Liver Lipid In Rats.Biological& Pharmaceutial Bulletin.2001,24(6):643-649 [9]N Shigematsu, R Asano, M Shimosaka, M Okazaki. Effect Of Administration With Theextract Of Gymnema Sylvestr R.Brleaves On Lipid Metabolism In Rats.Biological & Pharmaceutial Bulletin.2001,24(6):713-717 [10]Y Ninomiya, T Imoto.Gurmarin Inhibition Of Sweet Taste Responses Inmice.The American Journal Of Physiology.1995268(4Pt 2): R1019-1025 [11]S Harada, Y Kasahara.Inhibitory Effect Of Gurmarin On Palatal Tasteresponses To Amino Acids In The Rat.Americanjournal Of Physiology.Regulatory, Integrative And Comparative Physiology.2000278(6): R1513-1517 [12]LF Wang, H Luo, M Miyoshi, T Imoto, Y Hiji, T Sasaki.Inhibitory Effect Ofgymnemic Acid On Intrstinal Absorption Of Oleic Acid In Rats.Canadian Journal Of Physiology Andpharmacology.1998,76(10-11):1017-1023 [13]RK Satdive, P Abhilash, DP Fulzele.Anti-Microbial Activity Of Gymnema Sylvestre Leaf Extract.Fitoterapia.2003,74(7-8):699-701 Clinical reseach: [1] Fang SuoYing. The clinical observation of Ramulus Gymnematis Sylvestris in the oral treatment of 60 patients with Stage Ⅰor Ⅱ internal hemorrhoid hemorrhage[J]. Chinese Community Doctors, 2008, (12) : 79 Toxicology: [1]Yoshik Aw A. St Ructure Studies Of New An-Ti Sweet Constituents From Gymnema S Ylves T Re[ J Tet RAH Edron Let T Er ],1989,37(3):1103 |
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