Hu Zhang

Hu Zhang - Polygonum cuspidatum
		Professional Data

Pin Yin
Hu Zhang

Latin
Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati

Introduction

Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati is the dried rhizome and root of Polygonum cuspidatum Sibe. et Zuce. (Fam. Polygonaceae). The drug is collected in spring and autumn, removed from the rootlet, washed clean, cut into short section or thick slice when fresh, and dried in the sun.

Western medical

This herb is indicated in the treatment of acute inflammation, burn, scald, hepatitis, chronic bronchitis, leukopenia, and toothache.

Eastern medical

Pattern: Eliminates Wind Damp, promotes diuretics, treats jaundice, activates Blood, removes obstruction from collaterals, removes phlegm, suppresses cough, clears Heat, and removes Toxin.
Properties: Slightly bitter, slightly cold.
Channels entered: Liver, Gallbladder, Lung.

Chemical constituents

The main chemical constituents contained in the rhizome and root of hu zhang is anthraquinones, which includes emodin, chrysophanol, rheic acid, emodin monomethylether, polydatin and physcion-8-b-D-glucoside.

Pharmacological actions

Antibacterial effect

In in vitro experiments, decoction of hu zhang (25%~200%), poydatin (10mg/ml) had inhibitory effects on staphylococcus aureus, staphylococcus albus, a and b streptococcus, bacillus coli, bacillus proteus, bacillus pyocyaneus, bacillus typhosus, and shigella flexneri etc.. Decoction of hu zhang could also kill leptospira in vitro.

Antiviral effect

10% water decoction of hu zhang could inhibit influenza virus Asia A JK 68-1 strain, Echo virus, and herpes simplex virus. Its 2% decoction had quite high inhibitory effect on 7 typical viral strains including adenovirus III, poliomyelitis virus II, enterovirus coxsackie A and B groups ,Echo group, encephalitis b JWY-1,and herpes simple virus strain 1. 10% hu zhang liquid had obvious inhibitory effect on HBsAg.

Antitussive and asthma relieving effects

Gastragavage of 12g/kg decoction of hu zhang had antitussive effect in the antitussive experiment of electrically stimulating superior laryngeal nerve of cat. Decoction of hu zhang could also antagonize the histamine-induced contraction of isolated bronchi

Clinical Studies

Acute inflammation

hu zhang and its complex prescription had quite good effects on acute lung infection, appendicitis, appendicular abscess, tonsillitis.

Burn and scald

hu zhang, hu zhang tannides and hu zhang complex prescription could be used as the medications for surface of wound, it had scabbing promoting and anti infection effects. It could reduce the oozing of wounded area, prevent the loss of water and electrolyte, and promote the heal of wound area. Clinic observation also showed good effects of hu zhang preparation on burn.

Hepatitis

Anthraquinones of hu zhang was used to treat acute viral hepatitis, meanwhile Fu Fang Hu Zhang Tang (hu zhang, yin chen, da zao) and liver protecting effect of western medicine were used as the control observation. All the three groups could get clinical cure. But in disappearing of subjective symptoms, positive signs recovering, and recovery of abnormal liver function, it took less time in anthraquinones group.

Chronic bronchtisi

Fu Fang Yin Yang Lian Cu Ti Pian in which hu zhang was used as the main drug was used to treat chronic bronchitis, and had good antitussive and expectorant effects, but had relatively poor asthma-relieving effect.

Leukopenia

hu zhang and anthraquinone preparation of hu zhang were usded to treat chemotherapy or radiotherapy induced leukopenia, it had obvious WBC elevating effects.

Toothache

Hu Bing Ding which was made from hu zhang 30g, bing pian 1g and ethanol 30ml after being sealed for 2 weeks could be used to treat toothache. Dip the cotton swabs into the medicinal liquid and press the swabs on the affected area, this method had quite good antipyrotic and analgesic effects.

References

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998