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Dr. Pan's Clinic of TCM
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Mu Xiang (Radix Aucklandiae) By Trudy Tate English name: Costus Root (S. lappa) Literal English translation: ＾Wood Fragrance￣ Quality: Consists of solid, thick, and large roots with an intense aroma Properties: acrid, bitter, warm Channels entered: Gallbladder, Large Intestine, Spleen, Stomach CHEMICAL COMPOSITION Costunolide (50%); Saussureal; Costustactone; (-cyctocostunolide; Alantolactone; Isoalantolactone; Isozaluzanin C; Dihydrocostunolide Costene; Aplotaxene; P-cymene; Mycrene; (-elemene; Cedrene; Humulene; (-ionene; Linalool; Cedrol; Costol; Elmeol; Betulin; (-sitosterol; Stigmasterol; Costic acid; Palmitic acid; Linoteic acid; Aspartic acid; Glutamic acid; Glycine; Asparagine; Citrulline; (-aminobutyric acid; Cholamine; Saussureanine A, B, C, D, and E; Picriside B; Syringin; Dehydrocostus lactone; Dihydrocostus lactone; Isodehydrocostus lactone; 4(-methoxdehydrocostus lactone; 12-methoxydihydrodehydrocostus lactone; (E)-9-isopropopyl-6-methyl-5, 9-decadien-2-one; Massonieresinol -4:-0-(-D-glucopyranoside)
FUNCTIONS 1. Unblocks Qi Stagnation, Regulates the Middle Jiao and Relieves Pain 2. Dispels Damp-Heat, Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen 3. Regulates Qi Circulation, Prevents Stagnation
PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS
， Digestive: Mu Xiang promotes the secretion of anti-growth hormone, and is beneficial to the treatment of peptic ulcers. Experiments show that Mu Xiang has an excitatory effect on fundal smooth muscles; its effect on smooth muscles of other areas, however, varies (i.e., could be excitatory or inhibitory, in mice, Mu Xiang significantly protects the gastric mucosa from damages caused by resperine, aspirine, indomethacin, ethyl alcohol, or hydrochloric
， Respiratory: Mu Xiang has demonstrated the ability to relax spasms of the trachea and bronchi. Experiments show that Mu Xiang¨s water-based extract, alcohol-based extract, volatile oil, total alkaloid all can counteract histamine, acetycholine, or barium chloride-induced bronchial constriction in guinea pigs, and that administered by IV injection to dogs under anesthesia they all can inhibit respiration, decreasing both frequency and amplitude.
， Smooth muscles: Stimulate the intestines and increase peristalsis, some components relax intestinal spasms, and some have an inhibitory action.
， Cardiovascular: Laboratory studies of frogs, dogs, and rats have demonstrated that administration of Mu Xiang has different effects on the cardiovascular system depending on the dosage. At small dosage, there is a stimulating effect on the heart, and dilation of blood vessels. At large dosage, there is an inhibiting effect on the heart, and constriction of blood vessels. Administered by IV injection, alkaloids of Mu Xiang has an excitatory effect on the heart of cats; volatile oil of Mu Xiang in low concentration has an inhibitory effect on isolated rabbit hearts. At low dosages both water-based and alcohol-based extracts of MuXiang have an excitatory effect on the heart of frogs or dogs; at high dosages, however, the effects become inhibitory.
， Anti-inflammatory: In mice, Mu Xiang has a significant inhibitory effect on xylol induced ear swelling, carrageenin-induced foot swelling, and acetic acid-induced increase in abdominal capillary permeability.
， Antibiotic: The essential oil of Mu Xiang has an inhibitory effect on streptococcus, staphylococcus, E coli, and corynebacterium diphileriae. Mu Xiang may be effective against infections such as cholera and typhoid, and it may kill intestinal parasites such as round worms.
， Fibril solubility: At 2g/ml, Mu Xiang decoction can increase in-vitro fibril solubility.
， Cartilage cell metabolism: Experiments show that at various concentrations, Mu Xiang invariably inhibits the DNA synthesis of cartilage cells. At a high concentration, Mu Xiang also inhibits the synthesis of collagen.
， Protects the liver: Mu Xiang protects the liver from CCL4 poisoning and from damages by paracetamol, methanol-based extract of Mu Xiang has a similar effect on rifampicin-caused liver damages.
， Anti-cancer: Methanol-based extract of Mu Xiang has an inhibitory effect on the growth of neoplastic necrosin.
CLINICAL STUDIES AND RESEARCH
， Flatulence: Intramuscular injection of 100% Mu Xiang solution twice daily was 93% effective in treating 29 patients with flatulence caused by indigestion, acute gastroenteritis, gastric nausea, and post-surgical complication.
， Gallbladder pain: Mu Xiang demonstrated promising effects in 8 patients with pain related to gallbladder disorders.
， Peptic ulcer: Two formulas with herbs such as Mu Xiang, Wu Yao, Hong Teng, Gan Jiang, Gou Teng, and Chen Pi were combined to treat 217 patients with gastric or duodenal ulcers. The treatment protocol was to administer the herbs in decoction twice daily for 20 days. The study reported that 90.3% of patients had complete recovery, with 15.8% recurrence in follow-up visits.
INDICATIONS
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, gas, asthma, bronchitis
DOSAGE
3 to 10 grams Mu Xiang may be used in herbal decoction, powder or pill forms. The unprocessed herb is better for treating Qi stagnation. The roasted herb more effectively treats diarrhea and rectal tenesmus.
CAUTIONS/ CONTRAINDICATIONS
Acrid, warm and drying Mu Xiang should be used with caution for patients experiencing yin deficiency, fluid deficiency, or excess fire.
TOXICOLOGY
Oral administration of Mu Xiang at a dosage of 1.77 mg/kg in male rats and 2.17 mg/kg in female rats over a 90 day period did not reveal any adverse effects. Examination showed that blood, urine, and the function of internal organs all remained normal throughout the entire study. The LD50 for costuslactone in rats via intraperitoneal administration is 300 mg/kg
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Last modified: 12/13/10 |