Abstract
Yuanzhi, Radix Polygalae, is the dry root of Polygala tenuifolia Willd. or P. sibirica L. (Polygalaceae) collected in the spring and fall. It is officially listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is used in traditional Chinese medicine as a mucolytic for the treatment of cough. It is further used as a sedative and for antiswelling purposes. Two galenic preparations are also listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia: Yuanzhi Liujingao, Extractum Polygalae liquidum; and Yuanzhi Ding, Tinctura Polygalae. They are used only as mucolytics.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Pelletier SW, Nakamura S, Soman R (1971) Constituents of Polygala species. The structure of tenuifolin, a prosapogenin from P. senega and P. tenuifolia. Tetrahedron 27:4417–4427
Sakuma S, Shoji J (1981) Studies on the constituents of the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow. I. Isolation of saponins and the structures of onjisaponins G and F. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 29:2431–2441
Sakuma S, Shoji J (1982) Studies on the constituents of the root of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow. II. On the structures of onjisaponins A, B, and E. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 30:810–821
Ito H, Taniguchi H, Kita T, Matsuki Y, Tachikawa E, Fujita T (1977) Xanthones and a cinnamic acid derivative from Polygala tenuifolia. Phytochemistry 16:1614–1616
Pan MD, Mao Q (1984) Isolation and identification of wubangziside A and B from Polygala caudata Rehd et Wils. Acta Pharm Sin 19:899–903
Pan MD, Mao Q (1985) Isolation and identification of wubangziside C from Polygala caudata Rehd et Wils. Acta Pharm Sin 20:662–665
Fang ZP, Yu JZ, Yu DQ (1983) Isolation and chemical structure of a sapogenin from Gua Zi Jin (Polygala japonica Houtt). Acta Pharm Sin 18:266–271
Fang ZP, Ying G J (1986) Structure of a new triterpene saponin B from Polygala japonica Houtt. Acta Bot Sin 28:196–200
Nikaido T, Ohmoto T, Saitoh H, Sankawa U, Sakuma S, Shoji J (1982) Inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase in medicinal plants. IV. Inhibitors of cyclic adenosine monosphosphate phosphodiesterase in Polygala tenuifolia. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 30:2020–2024
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1992 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Tang, W., Eisenbrand, G. (1992). Polygala tenuifolia Willd.. In: Chinese Drugs of Plant Origin. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73739-8_99
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-73739-8_99
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-73741-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-73739-8
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive