Eleutherococcus senticosus

Taxobox
name = "Eleutherococcus senticosus"

---

image_width = 270px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Apiales
familia = Araliaceae
genus = "Eleutherococcus"
species = "E. senticosus"
binomial = "Eleutherococcus senticosus"
binomial_authority = (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim.cite web
url=http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?15004
title=Eleutherococcus senticosus information from NPGS/GRIN
publisher=www.ars-grin.gov
accessdate=2008-03-04
last=
first=]
synonyms =
*"Acanthopanax senticosus" (Rupr. & Maxim.) Harms
*"Hedera senticosa" Rupr. & Maxim.

"Eleutherococcus senticosus" (formerly "Acanthopanax senticosus") is a species of small, woody shrub in the family Araliaceae native to Northeastern Asia. In Chinese medicine it is known as "cì wǔ jiā" (). It is commonly called eleuthero, and was previously marketed in the United States as Siberian Ginseng as it has similar herbal properties to those of "Panax" ginseng. However, it belongs to a different genus in the family Araliaceae, and it is currently illegal in the United States to market eleuthero as Siberian Ginseng since "ginseng" only refers to "Panax" species.Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.]

The herb grows in mixed and coniferous mountain forests, forming low undergrowth or is found in groups in thickets and edges. "E. senticosus" is sometimes found in oak groves at the foot of cliffs, very rarely in high forest riparian woodland. Its native habitat is East Asia, China, Japan and Russia. "E. senticosus" is broadly tolerant of soils, growing in sandy, loamy and heavy clay soils with acid, neutral or alkaline chemistry and including soils of low nutritional value. It can tolerate sun or dappled shade and some degree of pollution. "E. senticosus" is a decidious shrub growing to 2m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 3. It flowers in July in most habitats. The flowers are hermaphroditic and are pollinated by insects. [cite web
url=http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Eleutherococcus+senticosus#WEBREFS
title=Eleutherococcus senticosus
publisher=www.ibiblio.org
accessdate=2008-03-04
last=
first=]

"E. senticosus" is a new addition to Western natural medicine, but has quickly gained a reputation similar to that of the better known and more expensive Chinese Ginseng. Though the chemical make-up of the two herbs differs, their effects seem to be similar. An extensive list of research on "E. senticosus" with links to PubMed is available. [ [http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb98.htm#Category1Herb98 List of Research on Eleuthero in PubMed] ]

The herb is an adaptogen, is anticholesteremic, is mildly anti-inflammatory, is antioxidant, is a nervine and an immune tonic. It is useful when the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) is depleted. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, stress, neurasthenia and sore muscles associated with the hypofunctioning of the endocrine system, and adrenal exhaustion indicated by a quivering tongue, dark circles under the eyes, and dilating/contracting pupils. Eleuthero may alleviate these symptoms.Rs|date=January 2008Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.]

Ethnomedical use

"E. senticosus" is an adaptogen which has a wide range of health benefits attributed to its use. Currently, most of the research to support the medicinal use of "E. senticosus" is in Russian or Korean. "E. senticosus" contains eleutherosides, triterpenoid saponins which are lipophilic and which can fit into hormone receptors. Supporters of "E. senticosus" as medicine claim it possesses a variety of medicinal properties, such as:

*increased endurance
*memory improvement
*anti-inflammatory
*immunogenic
*chemoprotective
*radiological protection

"Eleutherococcus senticosis" is more tonifying than the true Ginsengs (Panax sp.)Fact|date=June 2008. It is neutral energetically and so is appropriate for daily use. Taken regularly, it enhances immune function, decreases cortisol levels and inflammatory response, and it promotes improved cognitive and physical performanceFact|date=June 2008. In human studies Eleuthero has been successfully used to treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation, angina, hypercholesterolemia, and neurasthenia with headache, insomnia, and poor appetite. [Halstead B, Hood L (1984). "Eleutherococcus senticosis–Siberian Ginseng", OHAI. p.7.] [Chen JK, Chen TT. "Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology", Art of Medicine Press, City of Industry, CA 2004] [ [David Winston. "Native American, Chinese, and Ayurvedic MateriaMedica", HTSBM, pp. 1-1] Rs|date=January 2008

The major constituents of "E. senticosus" are Ciwujianoside A-E, Eleutheroside B (Syringin), Eleutherosides A-M, Friedelin and Isofraxidin.Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.] Rs|date=January 2008Most of the active constituents in "E. senticosus" are triterpenoid saponins. Though all terpenoid compounds have bioactivity in mammals, it is the triterpenes that are most important to the adaptogenic effect. The majority of known triterpenoid compounds in "E. senticosus" are found as saponin glycosides which refers to the attachment of various sugar molecules to the triterpene unit. These sugars are usually cleaved off in the gut by bacteria, allowing the aglycone (triterpene) to be absorbed. Saponin glycosides have the characteristic of reducing surface tension of water and will strip the lipids. This allows them insert into cell membranes (Attele et al., 1999) and modify the composition, influence membrane fluidity, [Lee, Jeong-Chae, Jung, Ha-Na, Kim, Jung-Soo, Woo, Won-Hong, Jeong, Woo-Yeal et al., 2003. Selective priming of Th1-mediated antigen-specific immune responses following oral administration of mixed prescriptions of traditional Korean medicines. Clinica Chimica Acta, 329, 133-142] and potentially affect signaling by many ligands and cofactors. [Lindsey, Keith, Pullen, Margaret L. and Topping, Jennifer F., 2003. Importance of plant sterols in pattern formation and hormone signalling. Trends in Plant Science, 8(11), 521-525] [ [http://www.rrreading.com/publications.html] Robyn Klein "Masters Thesis Paper, May 2004, Montana State University, Dept Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology: Phylogenetic and phytochemical characteristics of plant species with adaptogenic properties"]

"Eleutherococcus senticosus" has been shown to have significant antidepressant effects in rats. [cite web
author=V. A. Kurkin et al.
url=http://www.springerlink.com/content/t6512435001n1418/
title=Antidepressant activity of some phytopharmaceuticals and phenylpropanoids
publisher=Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal
accessdate=2008-03-04
last=
first=] [cite web
url=http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez
title=Constituents and pharmacological effects of Eucomm Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2001 - PubMed Result
publisher=www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
accessdate=2008-03-05
last=
first=]

Interactions and side effects

*People with medicated high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking "E. senticosus" as it may reduce their need for medication.
*"E. senticosus" may cause light sleep in some people, principally those who are "wired". Users are recommended not to take it in the evening.
*"E. senticosus" will enhance the effectiveness of mycin class antibiotics.
*"E. senticosus" when purchased from non-GMP sources has occasionally been adulterated with "Periploca graeca" which can potentiate digoxin or similar drugs: however this is not an interaction of "E. senticosus".Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “ADAPTOGENS: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.] Rs|date=January 2008

References and external links

* Brunner, R., Tabachnik, B. (1990). Soviet Training and Recovery Methods, pp.217-21. Sport Focus Publishing.
* Bohn, B., Nebe, C.T. and Birr, C. (1987). Flow Cytometric Studies with "Eleutherococcus senticosus" extract as an Immunomodulating Agent. "Drug Res". 37(10): 1193-1196.
* Saleeby, J. P. "Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens", Xlibris, 2006. (The second chapter is dedicated to Eleuthero.)
* Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “ADAPTOGENS: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007. Contains Russian research on "E. senticosus" and a monograph on the herb.

External links

* [http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=378 "E. senticosus" List of Chemicals (Dr. Duke's)]
* [http://www.plantsystematics.org/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Eleutherococcus_senticosus "Eleutherococcus senticosus" Photos (PlantSystematics.org)]
* [http://www.who.int/medicinedocs/fr/d/Js4927e.10#Js4927e.10 Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants - Volume 2: Radix Eleutherococci (World Health Organization)]
* [http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=17E09E7CFFF640448FFB0B4FC1B7FEF0&nm=Reference+Library&type=AWHN_Supplements&mod=Supplements&mid=&id=0DC8ED69766246FB915CCDE7DD755848&tier=2 Siberian ginseng article]
* [http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/eleuthero.shtml Eleuthero article]
* http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/31/5/519
* [http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/GinsengSiberianch.html University of Maryland Alternative Medicine Reference]
* [http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/ginseng_sib_faq.htm Siberian Ginseng ("Eleutherococcus senticosus")]
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15507373&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum Effects of various "Eleutherococcus senticosus" cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in forced swimming stressed mice.]
* Sung Mun Jung et al, "Reduction of urate crystal-induced inflammation by root extracts from traditional oriental medicinal plants: elevation of prostaglandin D2 levels", " [http://arthritis-research.com/content/9/4/R64 Arthritis Research & Therapy 2007, 9:R64] " doi:10.1186/ar2222. Considers anti-inflammatory properties of dried roots from the species "Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai)", "Acanthopanax senticosus" (now known as Eleutherococcus senticosus, or Siberian Ginseng), and "Scutellaria baicalensis (Baikal Skullcap)".