Cynomorium is used for impotence in men and lack of libido in women due to deficiency of Kidney Yang energy.
Contents
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- Basic Botanical Info of Cynomorium Stem.
- Cynomorium and Qualities.
- Cynomorium Distribution Map.
- Phytochemicals and Constituents of Cynomorium.
- Chinese Suoyang Background.
- Cynomorium Classical Literature Registration.
- Administration and Application of Cynomorium songaricum.
- Research Update:Cynomorium songaricum.
Research Update:Cynomorium songaricum.:
Study on dynamics of tannin in different growth phase of Cynomorium songaricum.:Zhong Yao Cai. 2005 Aug;28(8):643-5. Chinese.Chang Y, Su G, Yin C, Zhang J, Bu H.College of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolian University, Hohhot.
Potassium permanganate titration and complexometry were used to determine the content of tannin in different growth phase of wild and cultivated Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. The result showed that the content appeared regularly changing and the content in coming-up phase was higher than other phases. The quality in this phase would be better if the tannin was regarded as one of the effective components. The result might provide science foundation for the quality control of Herb Cynomorii.
Discovery of the photosynthetic relatives of the "Maltese mushroom" Cynomorium.:BMC Evol Biol. 2005 Jun 21;5:38.Nickrent DL, Der JP, Anderson FE.Department of Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901-6509, USA. nickrent@plant.siu.edu
BACKGROUND: Although recent molecular phylogenetic studies have identified the photosynthetic relatives of several enigmatic holoparasitic angiosperms, uncertainty remains for the last parasitic plant order, Balanophorales, often considered to include two families, Balanophoraceae and Cynomoriaceae. The nonphotosynthetic (holoparasitic) flowering plant Cynomorium coccineum has long been known to the Muslim world as "tarthuth" and to Europeans as the "Maltese mushroom"; C. songaricum is known in Chinese medicine as "suo yang." Interest in these plants is increasing and they are being extensively collected from wild populations for use in herbal medicines. RESULTS: Here we report molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial matR sequence data that strongly support the independent origin of Balanophoraceae and Cynomoriaceae. Analyses of single gene and combined gene data sets place Cynomorium in Saxifragales, possibly near Crassulaceae (stonecrop family). Balanophoraceae appear related to Santalales (sandalwood order), a position previously suggested from morphological characters that are often assumed to be convergent. CONCLUSION: Our work shows that Cynomorium and Balanophoraceae are not closely related as indicated in all past and present classifications. Thus, morphological features, such as inflorescences bearing numerous highly reduced flowers, are convergent and were attained independently by these two holoparasite lineages. Given the widespread harvest of wild Cynomorium species for herbal medicines, we here raise conservation concerns and suggest that further molecular phylogenetic work is needed to identify its photosynthetic relatives. These relatives, which will be easier to cultivate, should then be examined for phytochemical activity purported to be present in the more sensitive Cynomorium.
In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms.:J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Apr 26;98(3):295-300.Zhang CZ, Wang SX, Zhang Y, Chen JP, Liang XM.Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan Road No. 161, Dalian 116011, PR China.
The estrogenic activity of 70% EtOH extracts of 32 traditional Chinese medicinal plants, selected according to their reported efficacy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, was assessed using a recombinant yeast system with both a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid. Among them, 11 (34%) species proved to be active. Polygonum cuspidatum had the highest estrogenic relative potency (RP) (3.28 x 10(-3)), followed by Rheumpalmatum (3.85 x 10(-4)), Cassia obtusifolia (3.49 x 10(-4)), Polygonum multiflorum (2.87 x 10(-4)), Epimedium brevicornum (2.30 x 10(-4)), Psoralea corylifolia (1.90 x 10(-4)), Cynomorium songaricum (1.78 x 10(-4)), Belamcanda chinensis (1.26 x 10(-4)), Scutellaria baicalensis (8.77 x 10(-5)), Astragalus membranaceus (8.47 x 10(-5)) and Pueraria lobata (6.17 x 10(-5)). The EC(50) value of 17beta-estradiol used as the positive control was 0.205+/-0.025 ng/ml (RP=100). This study gave support to the reported efficacy of Chinese medicines used for hormone replacement therapy.
Determination of fifteen metal elements in Cynomorium songaricum by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS).:Guang Pu Xue Yu Guang Pu Fen Xi. 2004 Nov;24(11):1461-3. Chinese.Xue GQ, Liu Q, Ren XF, Han YQ.Department of Chemistry, Hexi University, Zhangye 734000, China.
A FAAS method was established for the determination of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Pb, Cr, Cd, Ag and Au in Cynomorium songaricum after digestion with HNO3-HClO4 (phi 4:1) at 90-95 degrees C and at normal pressure. In this paper, the parameters in FAAS were studied. The analytical results of Na, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni and Ag were 13,572.0, 14,260.0, 358.3, 168.3, 238.5, 19.4, 5.9, 3.4, 2.6, 1.3 and 0.4 microg x g(-1) respectively and Co, Cr, Cd and Au were not found in the samples. The results showed that the recovery of standard addition was 97.8%-104.5%, and the relative standard deviation (n = 9) was 0.2%-5.0%. The method is fast, simple and convenient. The results were satisfactory.
Inhibitory effects of some traditional medicines on proliferation of HIV-1 and its protease.:
In attempts to discover anti-HIV agents from natural sources, various traditional medicine extracts were tested for their inhibitory effects on HIV-1 proliferation and its protease. An extract of the seeds of Croton tiglium showed potent inhibitory effects on the proliferation of HIV-1. The active principle was determined to be phorbol esters. Several derivatives of phorbol ester were evaluated for inhibition of proliferation as well as activation of protein kinase C (PKC). Of these compounds, 12-O-acetylphorbol 13-decanoate (6) showed the most potent inhibition of proliferation without activating PKC. Some triterpenes from the stems of Cynomorium songaricum and the woody part of Xanthoceras sorbifolia showed inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. Various derivatives of oleanolic acid were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease. Their inhibitory mechanism was also investigated.
Antiosteoporotic activity of the water extract of Dioscorea spongiosa.:Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Apr;27(4):583-6.
After 60 MeOH and water extracts of natural crude drugs were screened for their ability to stimulate osteoblast proliferation, four MeOH extracts (Cynomorium songaricum, Drynaria fortunei, Lycium chinense, Rehmannia glutinosa) and seven water extracts (Cornus officinalis, Dendrobium nobile, Dioscorea spongiosa, Drynaria fortunei, Eucommia ulmoides, Lycium chinensis, Viscum coloratum) showed that potent activities were evaluated for inhibition of osteoclast formation. The results indicated that the water extract of D. spongiosa not only showed the strongest stimulation of osteoblast proliferation but also possessed potent inhibitory activity aganist osteoclast formation, whereas it showed lower cytotoxicity in osteoblast and bone marrow cells. A further in vivo experiment determined the antiosteoporotic activity of this extract, in which it inhibited the decrease in cancellous bone mineral content, cancellous bone mineral density, and cortical bone mineral content of the proximal tibia in ovariectomized rats.
Induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells treated with medicinal herbs.:Am J Chin Med. 2003;31(4):551-62.
In order to develop a new apoptosis inducer, we screened 22 crude drugs for their apoptosis-inducing activity. It was found that Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Eucommia ulmoides, Phellodendron amurense, Cinnamomum cassia and Paeonia lactiflora induced the death of HL-60 cells. To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by these six crude drugs, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the activity of caspase-3 were measured. Reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potentials within 12 hours after the administration of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Phellodendron amurense and Paeonia lactiflora, and within 24 hours after the administration of Eucommia ulmoides and Cinnamomum cassia were observed. All of the six apoptosis-inducing crude drugs increased caspase-3 activity within 12-36 hours after administration. After further examining the apoptosis-inducing activity of berberine, palmatine, panelofuroline and glycyrrhizin, which were the ingredients obtained from Phellodendron amurense, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Paeonia lactiflora, it was found that only berberine could induce apoptosis. From these results, it was concluded that the apoptosis induced by the six crude drugs (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Eucommia ulmoides, Phellodendron amurense, Cinnamomum cassia and Paeonia lactiflora) occurred via the mitochondrial route and that the apoptosis-conducting mechanism acted through a cascade involving caspase-3.
Studies on polysaccharide of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2001 Jun;26(6):409-11. Chinese.Zhang SJ, Zhang SY, Hu JP.
Institute of Chinese Materia, China Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100700, China.
OBJECTIVE: To study the acidic heteropolysac charides of Cynomorium songaricum. METHOD: The polysaccharides were purified by Sephadex G-100 and G-150 gel column chromatography. Purity and molecular weight of the polysaccharides were determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography; neutral sugars composition were identified by PC, TLC and GC. Uronic acids were determined by carbazole method. RESULT: The molecular weight of SYP-A and SYP-B were estimated to be 3.1 x 10(5) and 2.8 x 10(5) respectively, and neutral sugars were composed of galactose, glucose, arabinose, rhamnose, mannose and ribose. The molar ratio for SYP-A and SYP-B were 5.1:4.1:1.6:1.0:0.5:0.3 and 5.2:4.2:1.5:1.0:0.5:0.2 respectively, The contents of uronic acids were 10.7% and 10.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: SYP-A and SYP-B are homogeneous acidic heteropolysaccharides.
Studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of the stem of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1999 May;24(5):292-4, 318-9. Chinese.Tao J, Tu P, Xu W, Chen D.Department of Chemistry of Natural Medicines, Beijing Medical University, Beijing 100083.
OBJECTIVE: In order to exploit the medicinal resources and provide a scientific evidence for the clinical use and quality of Cynomorium songaricum control, the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of the stem of the plant were studied preliminarily. METHOD: The chemical constituents were studied by spectral analysis and chemical method. The pharmacological effects were studied by an experiment on the defecation and deficiency of kidney function. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Seven compounds were isolated from the stem of C. songaricum and identified as beta-sitosterol(I), palmitic acid (II), ursloic acid (III), daucosterol (IV), (-)-catechin (VI), naringenin-4'-O-pyranogluoside (VII) and succinicyacid (XII). Compounds VI and XII were isolated from this species for the first time. The pharmacological results show that the different extracts facilitate catharsis and replenish the deficiency of kidney yang.
Studies on a medicinal parasitic plant: lignans from the stems of Cynomorium songaricum.:Chem Pharm Bull. 2001 Aug;49(8):1036-8.
Eight phenolic compounds including two new lignan glucopyranosides together with a known alkaloid were isolated from the stems of Cynomorium songaricum RUPR. (Cynomoriaceae). Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence. The chemotaxonomic significance of these metabolites is discussed.
Inhibitory effects of constituents from Cynomorium songaricum and related triterpene derivatives on HIV-1 protease.:Chem Pharm Bull. 1999 Feb;47(2):141-5.
From CH2Cl2 and MeOH extracts of the stems of Cynomorium songaricum RUPR. (Cynomoriaceae), ursolic acid and its hydrogen malonate were isolated as inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 8 and 6 microM, respectively. Amongst various synthesized dicarboxylic acid hemiesters of related triterpenes, inhibitory activity tended to increase in the order of oxalyl, malonyl, succinyl and glutaryl hemiesters, for triterpenes such as ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and betulinic acid. The most potent inhibition was observed for the glutaryl hemiesters, with an IC50 of 4 microM. From the water extract of the stems of C. songaricum, flavan-3-ol polymers, consisting of epicatechin as their extender flavan units, were also found to be potent inhibitory principles against HIV-1 protease.
Chemical components of Cynomorium sonaricum Rupr.:Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1996 Nov;21(11):676-7, 704. Chinese.Xu X, Zhang C, Li C.Department of Chemistry, Gansu Educational College, Lanzhou.
Two stigmastenol compounds were isolated from the root of Cynomorium songaricum and identified by chemical and spectral methods as 5 alpha-stigmast-9(11)-en-3 beta-ol and 5 alpha-stigmast-9(11)-en-3 beta-ol-tetracosantrienoic acid ester.
Triterpenes and steroidal compounds from cynomorium songaricum.:Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1993;28(2):152-5. Chinese.Ma CM, Jia SS, Sun T, Zhang YW.Department of Pharmacy, Medical College of Inner Mongolia, Huhehaote.
From the whole parasitic plant of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. three ursane type triterpenes, three steroidal compounds, palmitic acid and sucrose were isolated. The triterpenes were identified as acetyl ursolic acid (2), ursolic acid (3) and a new compound, ursa-12-ene-28-oic acid, 3 beta-propanedioic acid monoester (1). The steroidal compounds were identified as beta-sitosterol palmitate (4), beta-sitosterol (5) and beta-sitosterol glucoside (daucosterol, 6). Compounds 2 and 5 were found in this genus for the first time.
Inhibitory effects of ursolic acid derivatives from cynomorium songaricum, and related triterpenes on human immunodeficiency viral protease.:
Scientist of China find From the stems of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. (Cynomoriaceae), ursolic acid and its hydrogen malonate were isolated as inhibitory substances against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) protease. Their 50% inhibitory concns. (IC50) were 8 mM and 6mM, resp. Of various dicarboxylic acid hemiesters of related triterpenes synthesized, the inhibitory activities tended to increase in the order of oxalic, malonyl, succinyl and glutaryl hemiesters of triterpenes such as ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and betulinic acid. The most potent inhibition was obsd. for the glutaryl hemiesters with IC50 of 4 mM.
Discovery of the photosynthetic relatives of the "Maltese mushroom" Cynomorium.:
Although recent molecular phylogenetic studies have identified the photosynthetic relatives of several enigmatic holoparasitic angiosperms, uncertainty remains for the last parasitic plant order, Balanophorales, often considered to include two families, Balanophoraceae and Cynomoriaceae. The nonphotosynthetic (holoparasitic) flowering plant Cynomorium coccineum has long been known to the Muslim world as "tarthuth" and to Europeans as the "Maltese mushroom"; C. songaricum is known in Chinese medicine as "suo yang." Interest in these plants is increasing and they are being extensively collected from wild populations for use in herbal medicines.
Results: Here we report molecular phylogenetic analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA and mitochondrial matR sequence data that strongly support the independent origin of Balanophoraceae and Cynomoriaceae. Analyses of single gene and combined gene data sets place Cynomorium in Saxifragales, possibly near Crassulaceae (stonecrop family). Balanophoraceae appear related to Santalales (sandalwood order), a position previously suggested from morphological characters that are often assumed to be convergent.
Conclusion: Our work shows that Cynomorium and Balanophoraceae are not closely related as indicated in all past and present classifications. Thus, morphological features, such as inflorescences bearing numerous highly reduced flowers, are convergent and were attained independently by these two holoparasite lineages. Given the widespread harvest of wild Cynomorium species for herbal medicines, we here raise conservation concerns and suggest that further molecular phylogenetic work is needed to identify its photosynthetic relatives. These relatives, which will be easier to cultivate, should then be examined for phytochemical activity purported to be present in the more sensitive Cynomorium.
The effect of the aqueous extract of Cynomorium coccineum on the epididymal sperm pattern of the rat:
An aqueous extract of Cynomorium coccineum was administered by stomach tube to ten mature male Wistar rats, at a dose of 47 mg/100 kg body weight/day for 14 consecutive days. Ten rats were kept as controls and received normal saline by oral route at the same dosing interval. Sperm was collected from the epididymes after decapitation. The results revealed that the water extract of the Cynomorium coccineum induced significant increase in the sperm count, improved the percentage of live sperm and their motility and decreased the number of abnormal sperm. Testicular histology showed increased spermatogenesis and seminiferous tubules full of sperm in the treated group compared with the controls.
The effect of extracts of Cynomorium coccineum and Withania somnifera on gonadotrophins and ovarian follicles of immature Wistar rats.:
The effects of water extracts of Cynomorium coccineum and Withania somnifera on ovarian follicular development and serum levels of FSH and LH were studied in immature 17-day-old and 25-day-old-Wistar rats. Water extracts of the plants were given to the animals per os in a dose of 47 mg/100 g body weight for 6 days. Serum levels of FSH and LH were measured by ELISA. Folliculogenesis was studied with a light microscope. In 25-day-old rats, extracts of both plants elicited significant changes in gonadotrophin levels coupled with a significant increase in ovarian weight and profound folliculogenesis. Numerous primary, secondary, tertiary and antral follicles were present. A distinct zona pellucida was not seen and the oocyte was often detached. In 17-day-old animals there was a significant increase-in body weight but without significant changes in the ovarian weight and folliculogenesis.
In vitro estrogenic activities of Chinese medicinal plants traditionally used for the management of menopausal symptoms.:
The estrogenic activity of 70% EtOH extracts of 32 traditional Chinese medicinal plants, selected according to their reported efficacy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms, was assessed using a recombinant yeast system with both a human estrogen receptor expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid. Among them, 11 (34%) species proved to be active. Polygonum cuspidatum had the highest estrogenic relative potency, followed by Rheumpalmatum, Cassia obtusifolia, Polygonum multiflorum, Epimedium brevicornum, Psoralea corylifolia, Cynomorium songaricum, Belamcanda chinensis, Scutellaria baicalensis, Astragalus membranaceus and Pueraria lobata. This study gave support to the reported efficacy of Chinese medicines used for hormone replacement therapy.
Induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells treated with medicinal herbs.:
In order to develop a new apoptosis inducer, we screened 22 crude drugs for their apoptosis-inducing activity. It was found that Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Eucommia ulmoides, Phellodendron amurense, Cinnamomum cassia and Paeonia lactiflora induced the death of HL-60 cells. To investigate the mechanism of apoptosis induced by these six crude drugs, the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and the activity of caspase-3 were measured. Reduced mitochondrial transmembrane potentials within 12 hours after the administration of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Phellodendron amurense and Paeonia lactiflora, and within 24 hours after the administration of Eucommia ulmoides and Cinnamomum cassia were observed. All of the six apoptosis-inducing crude drugs increased caspase-3 activity within 12-36 hours after administration. After further examining the apoptosis-inducing activity of berberine, palmatine, panelofuroline and glycyrrhizin, which were the ingredients obtained from Phellodendron amurense, Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Paeonia lactiflora, it was found that only berberine could induce apoptosis. From these results, it was concluded that the apoptosis induced by the six crude drugs (Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Cynomorium songaricum, Eucommia ulmoides, Phellodendron amurense, Cinnamomum cassia and Paeonia lactiflora) occurred via the mitochondrial route and that the apoptosis-conducting mechanism acted through a cascade involving caspase-3.
Studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of the stem of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.:
In order to exploit the medicinal resources and provide a scientific evidence for the clinical use and quality of Cynomorium songaricum control, the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of the stem of the plant were studied preliminarily.
Method: The chemical constituents were studied by spectral analysis and chemical method. The pharmacological effects were studied by an experiment on the defecation and deficiency of kidney function. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Seven compounds were isolated from the stem of Cynomorium songaricum and identified as beta-sitosterol(I), palmitic acid (II), ursloic acid (III), daucosterol (IV), (-)-catechin (VI), naringenin-4'-O-pyranogluoside (VII) and succinicyacid (XII). Compounds VI and XII were isolated from this species for the first time. The pharmacological results show that the different extracts facilitate catharsis and replenish the deficiency of kidney yang.
Inhibitory effects of constituents from Cynomorium songaricum and related triterpene derivatives on HIV-1 protease.:
From CH2Cl2 and MeOH extracts of the stems of Cynomorium songaricum RUPR. (Cynomoriaceae), ursolic acid and its hydrogen malonate were isolated as inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) protease, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 8 and 6 microM, respectively. Amongst various synthesized dicarboxylic acid hemiesters of related triterpenes, inhibitory activity tended to increase in the order of oxalyl, malonyl, succinyl and glutaryl hemiesters, for triterpenes such as ursolic acid, oleanolic acid and betulinic acid. The most potent inhibition was observed for the glutaryl hemiesters, with an IC50 of 4 microM. From the water extract of the stems of Cynomorium songaricum, flavan-3-ol polymers, consisting of epicatechin as their extender flavan units, were also found to be potent inhibitory principles against HIV-1 protease.
Two stigmastenol compounds were isolated from the root of Cynomorium songaricum and identified by chemical and spectral methods as 5 alpha-stigmast-9(11)-en-3 beta-ol and 5 alpha-stigmast-9(11)-en-3 beta-ol-tetracosantrienoic acid ester.
Triterpenes and steroidal compounds from cynomorium songaricum:
From the whole parasitic plant of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. three ursane type triterpenes, three steroidal compounds, palmitic acid and sucrose were isolated. The triterpenes were identified as acetyl ursolic acid (2), ursolic acid (3) and a new compound, ursa-12-ene-28-oic acid, 3 beta-propanedioic acid monoester (1). The steroidal compounds were identified as beta-sitosterol palmitate (4), beta-sitosterol (5) and beta-sitosterol glucoside (daucosterol, 6). Compounds 2 and 5 were found in this genus for the first time.
Quantitative determination of ursolic acid in Herba cynomorii by ultraviolet spectrophotometry:
Ursolic acid was isolated form Herba Cynomorii by thin layer chromatography and was quantitatively determined by ultraviolet spectrophotometry. The results indicate that the content of ursolic acid is 0.78%. The average recovery rate of ursolic acid is 97.4%, RSD = 0.45% (n = 4).
Reference:
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- 1.Cynomorium is used for impotence in men and lack of libido in women due to deficiency of Kidney Yang energy.
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