Decoctions of R. Anemmarhena have an inhibitory effect in vitro against Staphyloccos aureus and Salmonella typhii, as well as an inhibitory effect against E. coli, Bacillus subtilis, Vibrio cholerae, and many pathogenic dermatomycoses.

Injection of the extract of A. asphodeloides 4g/kg SC to rabbits prevented and treated hyperpyrexia due to Escheria coli: its action was prolonged.

The saponin fraction isolated from the rootstock of A. asphodeloides and its hydrolysis products, sarsasapogenin, as well as its hemisuccinyl derivative all showed potent inhibitory action on Na+/K+ ATPase and decreased oxygen uptake in thyroxine treated liver. The inhibitory action of the hemisuccinyl derivative was even more potent than that of ouabain. Sarsasapogenin also inhibited the Na+/K+ ATPase of human red blood cells in vitro. The inhibitory effect developed slowly and could be enhanced by external sodium ions and antagonized by external rubidium ions. The inhibitory activity of sarsasapogenin of the ATPase may be related to its antipyretic action.

Experimental results have shown that the rhizome of A. asphodeloides is able to prevent the suppression of the adrenal cortex by exogenous cortical hormones, and that one of the regulatory actions of the drug is to directly modulate the corticosteroid level in the blood.

The 100% A. asphodeloides rhizome decoction was shown to inhibit many kinds of pathogenic organisms in vitro. The ethanol extract was strongest against Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. hominis H37RV in Proskauer-Beck medium. The MIC of the ethanol extract against this bacteria in vitro was 1:8000 irrespective of the presence or absence of serum. Optimal therapeutic effects were achieved in guinea pigs with experimental tuberculosis, given feeds containing the herb (3%) for 3-4 months; the pulmonary lesions were found to be one-third to one-half of those seen in the control.

The 8-20% herb decoction inhibited common pathogenic skin fungi in Sabouraud agar. The 100% decoction also inhibited Candida albans.

The aqueous extract of A. asphodeloides rhizome could lower the blood glucose level in normal rabbits. The action was more marked in rabbits with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus.

The herb did not promote glucose oxidation in normal rats, but it enhanced glucose uptake in the diaphragm and adipose tissues, increasing phrenic glycogen but reducing liver glycogen.

Rhizoma Anemarrhenae asphodeloides, an important herb used in many formulas in traditional Chinese Medicine, has been adopted into the pharmacopoeia of the Japanese Government Health Services as well. As a result of its wide applications, studies of its constituents were conducted with the intent of isolating the elements responsible for those recorded effects. The effects of greatest interest were hypoglycaemic, adrenocortical and antibacterial. Clinical studies have supported each of these areas, as well as defined specific constituents in some cases.

According to in vitro experiments, Anemarrhena can break and unite the double bond between cortisol C4 and C5, an weaken the aqueous acidic base of C17 and C21, and the carbonyl base of C20. Therefore, it is known that Anemarrhena delays decomposition of the cortisol in liver cells.

From these experimental results it may be considered that Anemarrhena protects the adrenal cortex and possibly weakens the external inhibition caused by adrenocortical hormone, directly affecting changes in the adrenocortical hormone in the blood as a physiological adjustment.

Testing hyperglycaemic mice (caused by alloxan or insulin antiserum ) and hyperglycaemic rabbits (caused by alloxan), blood glucose levels decreased after administration of aqueous extract of Anemarrhena. An intraperitoneal injection of aqueous extract of Anemarrhena (0.15g/kg) also lowered glycaemic values in hyperglycaemic mice (caused by alloxan), with a decrease in urine ketone values within 5 hours.

130 Patients most with mild and moderate symptoms and 10 with shock and renal failure, were treated with a decoction containing A. asphodeloides. 115 cases were given an oral admistration, 6 an intramuscular injection and 9 cases were given the intravenous injection for a course of 3-7 days. While fever subsided in 2.9 days on average which was not much different than the average obtained in groups treated with other medicines, there was nevertheless a marked reduction in the intensity of fever. 91.5% of the cases, with a temperature of over 40¡ãC, had a normal body onload="highlight();" temperature within 2 days. Marked improvement of generalized toxic symptoms was attained in most patients and none developed profuse bleeding.

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