Mao Zhua Cao - Ranunculus ternatus

Professional Data
 Pin Yin
Mao Zhua Cao
 
 Latin
Radix Ranunculi Ternati
 Introduction Back to Top
Radix Ranunculi ternati is the dried root tuber of Ranunculus ternatus Thunb. (Fam. Ranunculaceae). The drug is collected in spring and autumn, removed from rootlet and soil, and dried in the sun.
 Western medical Back to Top
This drug is mainly indicated in the treatment of tuberculosis of lymph nodes without ulceration.
 Eastern medical Back to Top
  • Pattern: Dissolves lumps, relieves swelling.
  • Properties: Sweet, acrid, warm.
  • Channels entered: Liver, Lung.
 Chemical constituents Back to Top
mao zhua cao mainly contains amino acids, organic acids, glucose and protoanemonin, myristic acid octadecyl ester, eicosanoic acid, stigmasterol, b-sitosterol, and ternatolide.
 Pharmacological actions Back to Top
Antibacterial effect

Three preparations of mao zhua cao (decoction, raw drug powder and alcohol extract) could inhibit tubercle bacillus of human type (H37RV) to varying degrees. The bacteriostatic concentration of decoction and raw drug powder of mao zhua cao was 1:10. The alcohol extract's bacteriostatic concentration was 1:1000, its inhibitory effect was stronger than isoniazide.

Effect of TNF induced production

A screening system for the detection of TNF inducers was set up. By using this model 36 traditional Chinese medical herbs from 28 families were studied. Seven herbs from 7 families were found to be active in the TNF induction. Among them Ranunculus Ternatus (RT) is the best one. The active components of RT were isolated from the crude extract by solvent extraction and column chromatography. Eleven fractions were obtained. RT-A2, one of the active components, is a white crystal and its IR spectrum is similar to Standard Infrared Grating Spectra No. 28344K. Therefore, RT-A2 may be identified as a fatty acid (palmitic acid). Its optimum dose of inducing TNF is 50 micrograms/ml in vitro. TNF induced in the cell culture was demonstrated by monoclone antibody onload="highlight();" neutralizing test.

Others

Animal experiments showed that mao zhua cao had inhibitory effect on the central nervous system, heart, respiratory system and intestinal wall to varying degree. It could temporarily lower the blood pressure, but could not dilate the blood vessels.

 Clinical Studies Back to Top
Cervical scrofula

Oral administration of mao zhua cao decoction and its tincture, combined with qi-blood nourishing Chinese herbs and surgery, were used to treat 180 cases of cervical scrofula, after 2~3 months' treatment, 133 cases were clinically cured, 33 markedly effective and 14 improved.

Pulmonary tuberculosis

Equal quantity of mao zhua cao and qing hao were made into powder for oral administration, 15g, bid, 6 months as a course of treatment. 20 cases of pulmonary TB were treated, 12 cases were markedly effective, 6 effective and 2 ineffective.

Other diseases

mao zhua cao could be used in the treatment of laryngopharyngitis, furunculosis, goiter, palpation, and cervical carcinoma.

 
 References Back to Top

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