Eleuthococcus senticosus - Ginseng, Siberian

Description

This erect herb stands 1.5 - 2.6 m in height, spiny, covered with light gray or brown bark. The long petioled leaves are palmately compound, 5 elliptic leaflets, finely serrated margin and minute spinules along the veins. It is found abundantly in the Soviet Far East, Korea, China and Japan - north of the thirty-eighth latitude.

Part Used

root, rarely leaves and stems.

Constituents

The constituents of Siberian Ginseng vary greatly with season, with Oct. showing maximum activity and July minimum.(1) The major constituents are seven eleuthrosides (A-G containing methoxy groups that are relatively unstable), considered similar to Ginseng saponins. Some appear to have simmilar structure, but some seem unrelated. Siberian Ginseng also contains; phenylpropan derivatives, sterol, polyssaccharides, coumarin, ligans, isofraxin, carotenoids and coumarins.(2-4)

Mode of Action

The extract of Eleuthrococcus has increased physical performance in both humans and mice.(5) In hen and piglets increased growth and survival rate was accomplished by the use of Eleuthrococcus extract.(6,7) In rat studies their increased protein anabolism was demonstrated in organ and muscle tissue.(8) The extract has increased thermostability upon heat exposure in humans(9) and increase immunocompetent cells particularly T cells. The increase of T cells was accents for helper/inducer cells, but also increased cytotoxic and natural killers cells numbers. A general enhancement of the activation state of the T cells was seen.(10) It is considered that these action function on influence in the pituitary-adrenocortical systen similar to Asian Ginseng.(11)

Increase catecholamine concentrations in the adrenals and brain of rats after oral consumption of the extract suggest an explanation for stress tolerance.(12) Polysaccharides in Eleuthrococcus have been shown to have immunostimulating activity, with increased phagocytosis in vitro and in vivo.(13-15) One dramatic study demonstrated that children with Shigella and Proteus recovered faster when given Eleuthrococcus extract along with antibiotics in contrast to antibiotics by themselves.(16)

Siberian Ginseng extract has been shown to double the survival time of mice during chronic irradiation of up to 7,000 rads.(17) Used along with chemotherapy it have been shown to reduce side effects.(18) It has been shown to have a hypoglycemic effect.

Eleuthrosides B,D, and E were shown to aid recovery after sexual stress.(19) It was also found to strengthen seminal vesicles and prostates in mice.(20) In females, the activation rate of steroidal receptors was higher in the uterus (including response to estrogen) when Eleuthrococcus was ingested.(21)

Other area that have shown possitive effect from Siberian Ginseng extract are: immune system of cancer patients, working capacity, heart structure in myocardial infarctions, arrhythmias and other heart diseases, diabetes, antimicrobial action and prenatal prevention of congenital developmental anomalies. It has also been shown to produce antiedemic, diuretic, antihypertensive and antiinflammatory effect.(22,23)

Therapeutic Action

adaptogen.

Energetics

Tierra describes Siberian ginseng as acrid, sweet and bitter; influencing the Liver and kidney.(24)

Folklore

This plant was used as a folk remedy for heart ailments, insomnia, hemiplegia, hypertension and rheumatism. It has also been employed to restore vigor, memory, good appetite and longevity. In China it is seen as a tool to lower cholesterol, cure impotence and increase blood oxygen.(25)

Dosage

Powder - 3 - 15 gm(26)
Tincture - 10 - 50 drops

Toxicity and Contraindications

There is no known toxic effect to Siberian ginseng.

Official Regulations and Medical References

U.S.P.
Martindale
UK - British Herbal Compendium, p. 89
France - Accepted for specific indications No. 90/22
German - Comiison E ;1984, p. 124
PDR for Herbal Medicine - p. 824

References

1. Brekhman II, et al; Comparative Study of Eleutherococus Preparation Made from Raw Material of Various Origin; Farmasiia; 40(1) 1991, p. 39.
2. Farnsworth, N.R. et al; Economic and Plant Research; Academic Press, New York, San Diego, p. 155, 1985.
3. Duke, J.A., Handbook of Medicinal Plants, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 1985, p. 174
4. Lawrence Review; Eleuthrococcus; May 1996, p. 1-3
5. Gordeicheva, N.V., et al., Kosm Biol Aviak Med 9:6, 1975, (CA 83:188498j)
6. Zorikov, P.S., et al; Deposited Doc. 732-74:38, 1974, (CA 75:54197)
7. Bekenev, V.A., Khasnulin, S-KH Biol; 17:1131, 1982, (CA 94:3119x)
8. Kaemmerer, K., Fink, J., Prakt Tierarzt, 61:748, 1980, (CA 94:3119x)
9. Novozhilov, G., Silshenko, K.I., Fiziol. Chel. 11:303, 1985, (BA 80:54450)
10. Lawrence Review, May 1996, Ibid.
11. Filaretov, A.A., et al; Effect on Adaptogen on the Activity of the Pituitary-Adrenocortical System in Rats; Rusain; Bull. Eksper Bio. Med.; 101(5):573 1983
12. Abramova, Z.I., et al., Lek, Sred. Dal`nego Vost., 11:106 1972, (CA 82:38660w)
13. Xu-Ren-sheng, et al., Planta Medica 39:278, 1980.
14. Wagner, H., et al., Arxneim-Forsch, 35:1069, 1985.
15. Ji-Nian Fang, et al., Phytochemistry, 24:2619, 1985.
16. Vereshchagin, I.A., et al., Antiniotiki 27:65, 1982 (BA75:32106
17. Duke, J.A., Ibid.
18. Lawrence Reivew, 1996, Ibid.
19. Nishiyama, N., et al., Shogakugaku Zasshi 39:238, 1985 (CA 104:102465p)
20. Dardymov, I.V., Lek. Shres Del`negro Vost 11:60, 1972, (CA 82: 51571n)
21. Pearce, P.T., et al., Endocrinol. Jpn., 29:567, 1982 (CA 98:137807m)
22. Leung, A.Y. and Foster, S., Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients: Used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, p. 225, 1996.
23. Lawrence Review, 1996, Ibid.
24. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Lotus Press, Santa Fe, NM, p. 299, 1988.
25. Duke, J.A., Ibid.
26. Tierra, M., Planetary Herbology, Ibid.