Bupleurum Benefits

There are almost 36 Bupleurum species are available and almost all have very negligible morphological differences. In Asian and European traditional medicinal systems, Bupleurum species is well known for thousands of years due to its pharmaceutical properties. However, B. longiradiatum Turcz species has toxic phytochemicals, whereas B. hamiltonii Balak species has very little active phytochemicals. Among the several varieties,  Radix Bupleuri is a very common Bupleurum species with therapeutic benefits. The Chinese pharmacopeia includes the name of this species. Chinese materia medica considers Bupleurum species as a prescription medicine for inflammatory diseases and auto-immune diseases.[1]

Bupleurum chinense DC. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd – two plant roots that are the origin of Radix Bupleuri. In China, it has many local names like “Beichaihu”, “Nanchaihu”. These names indicate the different origins of the dosage forms derived from different species of Bupleurum. The collection time of the medicinal plant parts from this species is during spring or autumn and then dried them properly for prolonged preservation. [2]

What are the Phytochemicals Present in Bupleurum?

The major phytochemicals present in Bupleurum L. genus include saponins and triterpene. Among these major groups of phytochemicals, saikosaponins A, B1–4, D, E, F and H and saikogenins A–G are very significant medicinal properties. The roots of B. falcatum specifically contain the active polysaccharides, bupleurans 2IIb and 2IIc. [3]

What is the Mode of action of Bupleurum?

The plants belong to Bupleurum L. genus are considered as an antineoplastic, anti-oxidant, immunomodulator, etc. Several chemical constituents are loaded in Bupleurum, which includes coumarins, flavonoids, lignins, polysaccharides, polyacetylenes, saikosaponins, and volatile oils. The composition of these chemical constituents is responsible for antitumor activity, febrifuge efficacy, hepatoprotective effect, and immuno-regulation. [1]

One of the main causes of the health benefits of Bupleurum L. genus is autophagy (auto-means self and phagy mean eating). Thus the body can clean toxic substances from the body to regenerate the new and healthy cells. This herb stimulates the immune response against pathogens. It releases glucocorticoids and interferes with cytokines release, infiltration, and capillary permeability to counteract the inflammation process. Saikosaponins, the active ingredient present in Bupleurum L. genus can reduce cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase level, for analgesic, anti-inflammatory effect. The autophagic activity of Bupleurum L. genus can also reduce the levels of interleukins, TNF-α, and IFN-γ expression in T lymphocytes of the experimental animals. [4]

The bioactive phytochemicals, saikosaponins present in Radix Bupleuri has strong anti-inflammatory activity. This phytochemical can inhibit inflammatory mediators release, reduces the permeability of blood capillaries, white blood cell exodus suppressed, reduces tissue proliferation rate and inhibits the allergic reaction.

Saponins content of this Radix Bupleuri has anti-proliferative activity on cancer cell growth by following the apoptotic pathway. Researchers have also found that Bupleurum species can also arrest the cell cycle, stabilizes microtubules and suppress telomerase activity. Treatment with this herbal remedy can induce autophagy by direct inhibition. [2]

Different Dosage of Bupleurum

Generally, the recommended dose of Bupleurum species is 3gm to 9gm per day. A decoction of this herb is a commonly available dosage form. Powder and herbal tea dosage forms are the common dosages of this herb. Apart from these, In China, many herbal medicine formulations like Shu gan li dan Decoction, Yi qi shu gan Decoction, Xiao ru Decoction, Jia wei xiao yao Powder, Chaihu gui zhi Decoction, and Er chen xuan fu Decoction are some of the commonly available dosage forms of this herb. [4]

Bupleurum Uses

Anticancer and Antitumor Activity

The anticancer and anti-tumor activity of Bupleurum species effective against lung cancer, and liver cancer. Researchers have found that combination therapy with 5-fluorouracil, a conventional chemotherapeutic agent with Bupleurum species has induced enhanced cytotoxic effect against liver cancer cells. [2] This indicates this herb can be used as cancer adjuvant therapy.

Some Chinese medicinal preparations like “Long Dan Xie Gan Wan” and “xiao-chai-hu decoction” contain Bupleurum species, which have significant cancer growth inhibitory effects. [2]

In 2014, another research paper published in Chinese Medicine reported different Bupleurum species containing Chinese medicine is effective against liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, gall bladder cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, thyroid cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, etc. [4]

Antiviral effect

Bupleurum species are effective against viral infections such as hepatitis B virus, influenza A virus and H1N1- virus.[2]

Antipyretic effect 

Bupleurum species have an antipyretic effect, which is effective to control fever. An animal trial result reported that this herb can regulate cyclic adenosine monophosphate and arginine vasopressin synthesis and release. [2]

Animal research reported that oral administration of Bupleurum species is effective to reduce the heat-induced body temperature within one and half hours to normal limits. Bupleurum species exert an antipyretic effect by acting on the hypothalamus containing the thermoregulatory center. Bupleurum species has an inhibitory effect against the excess production of an endopyrogen in the hypothalamus. It promotes the release of antipyretic substances. [4]

The presence of saikosaponins in Bupleurum species is an effective treatment for fever. Saikosaponins has exerted anti-endotoxin effects and simultaneously reduces elevated body temperature during fever. Researchers explained Bupleurum species induced autophagy is beneficial for maintaining cellular homeostasis. [4]

Hepatoprotective effect

Saikosaponins improve hepatocytes developed due to increased oxidative stress build-up and inflammatory reaction. It has an inhibitory effect against liver fibrosis. The potent antioxidant property of Saikosaponins provides protective effects against lipid peroxidation in hepatocytes. It also regulates intracellular calcium levels to prevent hepatocyte injury. It suppresses the activation of hepatic stellate cells as the major matrix-producing cells in liver fibrosis. It also decreases the deposition of collagen I in the liver. Besides, the regulation of inflammatory mediators can also support to induce the hepatoprotective effect. [4]

Pancreatitis

Bupleurum species is also a useful remedy for chronic pancreatitis. An animal experimental reported herbal treatment of this plant can stimulate pancreatic enzyme secretion. Powder dosage forms of this herb provide anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects by inhibiting the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and TNF-α mRNA expression in the pancreas. The herbal remedy also reduces cholecystokinin levels in blood plasma during chronic pancreatitis and improves gastric movement. Thus it helps to provide symptomatic relief like nausea and flatulence. [4]

Sedative effects

Bupleurum species has a sedative effect due to the presence of two phytochemicals including saikosaponin and saikogenin A. The sedative effect of this herb is comparable with meprobamate and animal research study reported that saikosaponin A is responsible for prolonging sedation. [3]

Bupleurum Side Effects

Some significant side effects of Bupleurum species are mild lethargy, drowsiness and sedation are commonly reported with Bupleurum species containing herbal medicine intake. Increase dose of this herb can cause appetite suppression. It also manifests flatulence and abdominal distension. Parenteral administration may cause allergic reactions.

Bupleurum species has drug interaction property. It should not be intake with alcohol, sedative or depressant medications as it causes synergistic sedative action and also may induce severe depression.

When should I avoid the intake of Bupleurum?

There is a lack of data available to evaluate the teratogenic, non-teratogenic and adverse effects on pregnancy. Therefore, it is always better to avoid the intake of this herbal medicine without a doctor’s consultation.

Nursing mothers should avoid this herb, as it secreted through the milk and can produce adverse effects on the newborn.

This herb is not recommended for children. So keep the medicine out of reach from them. [3]

References

• Traditional Use, Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Quality Control of Species in Genus Bupleurum L.
• Radix Bupleuri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology. 
• WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Volume 1. 
• Autophagic effects of Chaihu (dried roots of Bupleurum Chinense DC or Bupleurum scorzoneraefolium WILD).