Codonopsis pilosula is also known as dang shen in traditional Chinese medicine. The roots are used by Chinese herbalists to treat hypertension, increase red and white blood cell count, and influence the immune system.
What's in the herb?
As with any herb, a number of substances are found in codonopsis
root, including
8beta-hydroxyasterolid, perlolyrine, tangshenoside I, friedelin, taraxerol,
alpha-spinasterol, alpha-spinasterol-beta-D-glucopyranoside,
n-butyl-alpha-D-fructofuranoside and n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside.
Cancer
The addition of codonopsis to radiation therapy reduces the
immunosuppressive effect.
Memory
Along with Ginkgo, codonopsis may be helpful in
memory.
Lung disease
Phytother Res. 2015. Dang shen [Codonopsis pilosulaf] herbal formulae for
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.S
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the efficacy and safety of
Dang shen formulae for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Adverse events were low and not different between intervention and control
groups. Thirty-three events were reported, including gastrointestinal upset, dry
mouth, and insomnia. Dang shen formulae appear to improve some aspects of the
included COPD outcomes. However, owing to methodological flaws, the current
evidence is inadequate to support the routine use of Dang shen formulae outside
of Chinese medicine practice.
Codonopsis and ulcer
Codonopsis may be helpful in ulcers.
For a list of herbs used in Chinese medicine, see Chinese Herbs.
Side
effects
Codonopsis may prevent platelet aggregation and thin the blood.
Codonopsis Research
Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula) and Bai guo (Gingko biloba) enhance learning and
memory.
Altern Ther Health Med. 2004.
To test (1) whether Gingko biloba (Bai guo) in combination with Codonopsis
pilosula (Dangshen) or Gingko biloba (GB) alone could enhance memory acquisition
and retention of normal human subjects, better than a placebo and (2) to
investigate whether the overall health status can be affected by these
supplements. A double blind randomized placebo controlled trial design
was used to determine the efficacy of these two products compared to placebo.
Sixty participants, aged 21- 60 years, who were either
students or faculty of the Southern California University of Health Sciences.
Each combination capsule was made up of 75mg of Codonopsis
pilosula total glycosides and 40mg GB extract. Each GB capsule consisted of 40mg
of Gingko biloba as an aqueous extract and. The placebo pill was similar in
shape and color to that of the other two capsules. All the participants
regardless of the group were instructed to take one pill twice a day with food.
The between groups
findings indicate that both products are better than placebo at producing
improvements in acquisition and retention and overall health status.
In our participant population, the combination product seems to be better than
GB alone in improving the cognitive function and overall health.
The antioxidant effects of aqueous and organic extracts of Panax quinquefolium,
Panax notoginseng, Codonopsis pilosula, Pseudostellaria heterophylla and Glehnia
littoralis.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2004.
The roots of Panax quinquefolium, Panax notoginseng, Glehnia littoralis,
Codonopsis pilosula and Pseudostellaria heterophylla were extracted with an
aqueous extraction method and also with an organic extraction method. The
aqueous extracts of Glehnia littoralis and Codonopsis pilosula were the most
potent in inhibiting erythrocyte hemolysis. The aqueous extracts of Panax
quinquefolium and Panax notoginseng had lower potencies while the aqueous
extract of Pseudostellaria heterophylla and the organic extract of Panax
quinquefolium were only weakly active. The organic extracts of Glehnia
littoralis, Panax heterophylla and Panax quinquefolium were potent in inhibiting
lipid peroxidation while the organic extracts of Codonopsis pilosula and Panax
notoginseng had weaker potencies. The aqueous extracts possessed much lower
potencies the corresponding organic extracts. However, the Glehnia littoralis
extract was the most potent aqueous extract. The results suggest that Glehnia
littoralis, Codonopsis pilosula, Panax notoginseng and Panax heterophylla are
cheaper substitutes of Panax quinquefolium with regard to antioxidant activity.
Codonopsis pilosula Nannf total alkaloids potentiate neurite outgrowth
induced by nerve growth factor in PC12 cells.
Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2003.
To explore the effect of Codonopsis pilosula total alkaloids on differentiation induced by nerve growth factor (NGF)
in PC12 cells. Codonopsis alone did not exhibit neuritogenic activity, but caused a
significant enhancement of NGF (2 microg/L)-induced neurite outgrowth in PC12
cells, and increased the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Codonopsis enhanced the NGF-induced neurite
outgrowth in PC12 cells by amplifying an up-stream step of the MAPK-dependent
signaling pathway.
The effect of Codonopsis pilosula on gastric acid, serum gastrin and plasma somatostatin concentration in dogs
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1998.
The results were obtained by oral administration of the decoction of Codonopsis
pilosula in three different doses(10 g, 20 g, 40 g) to 5 dogs with Heidenhain
pouch. No significant changes occurred in the acidity output of Heidenhain pouch
and plasma somatostatin concentration out of the oral administration.
A significant increase occurred in serum gastrin concentration 150 min after a dose of 10 g, 90 min and 150 min after doses of 20 g, and
30 min, 60 min, and 150 min after doses of 40 g.
Investigations on the protective action of Condonopsis pilosula (Dangshen)
extract on experimentally-induced gastric ulcer in rats.
Gen Pharmacol. 1997.
The action of Codonopsis pilosula extract in 5 animal models of gastric ulcer
was investigated. It was found that codonopsis extract had higher efficacy on
gastric ulcer induced by stress, acetic acid and sodium hydroxide and little
significant effect on ulcers induced by pyloroligature and indomethacin. The
codonopsis extract was also capable of reducing gastric acid pepsin secretion.
It is possible that inhibition of gastrointestinal movement and propulsion is
one of the mechanisms underlying the antiulcer action of codonopsis extract.
Clinical and experimental study on codonopsis pilosula
oral liquor in treating coronary heart disease with blood stasis
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1995.
The effects of Codonopsis pilosula oral liquor on tissue-type plasminogen
activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) in the plasma of 25
patients of coronary heart disease with blood stasis were studied. After 4 weeks
of codonopsis therapy, platelet aggregation significantly decreased, there was
no significant difference in t-PA and PAI. From the results shown above, it
suggested that one of the effects of codonopsis in influencing blood coagulation
was its inhibition on platelet aggregation, but not through the elevating of
fibrinolytic activity.
Immunological and hematopoietic effect of Codonopsis pilosula on cancer patients
during radiotherapy
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 1992.
Codonopsis pilosula was used as an adjuvant in 76 cancer patients during
radiotherapy and its protective effect on hematopoietic and immunologic function
was studied. Results: (1) No influence on Hb and WBC of the patients with
radiotherapy. (2) It could reduce the immunosuppressive effect of radiotherapy
on delayed hypersensitive reaction, the lymphocyte response to PHA and IL-2. (3)
No difference between treated and control groups in most humoral immune indices
such as IgG, IgA and C3, but had slight increase in IgM in treated patients,
while significant decrease in control.
Macrological identification of Chinese drug dangshen radix Codonopsis
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1992.
Macrological characters of 17 reference crude drugs from Codonopsis and
Campanumoea were observed. Identification of 110 samples collected from 18
provinces of China indicated that more than 70 percent of the commercial
Dangshen is derived from Codonopsis pilosula.
Protective effects of the pollen of Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf.
on liver lesions at the ultrastructural level
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1989.
The experimental hepatic lesion of C57 mice was induced by carbon
tetrachloride (CCI4), and the feeds containing pollen of Codonopsis pilosula
were given to the animals. It was found by electronic microscopy that these
pollens evidently reduced the hepatic steatosis, improved liver necrosis,
suppressed the formation of the collagen fibrils in Disse's spaces and around
central veinules. It was shown that the pollens of Codonopsis pilosula could
counteract efficiently the liver lesion of mice induced by CCI4.
Emails
Q. Can AHCC be taken
the same day as codonopsis supplement?
A. Probably, as long as the doses are not
excessive.
Codonopsis, 750 mg, 120 Tablets - Planetary Herbals
Codonopsis is one of the most highly regarded herbal tonifiers of Chinese
herbalism and has properties similar to ginseng. Research suggest that
it promotes energy and endurance as well as supports immune
resistance.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablets
Calcium - 45 mg 5% daily value
Codonopsis Root - 750 mg
Suggested Use: 1 or two codonopsis tablets daily in the morning between
meals, or as recommended by your health care professional.