Genus Coptis | ||
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Similar Scutellaria baicalensis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Wolfiporia extensa, Pinellia ternata, Rehmannia glutinosa | ||
Birthroot lady s slipper and coptis chinensis
Coptis chinensis, the Chinese goldthread, is a species of goldthread native to China.
Contents
- Birthroot lady s slipper and coptis chinensis
- Chinese goldthread coptis chinensis chinese meds com
- Etymology
- Chemical constituents
- Traditional uses
- Pharmacology
- Other uses
- References
Chinese goldthread coptis chinensis chinese meds com
Etymology
Chemical constituents
The rhizomes of Coptis chinensis are used in traditional Chinese medicine and serve as a source for the isoquinoline alkaloids berberine, palmatine, and coptisine among others.
Traditional uses
Coptis chinensis is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called duǎn è huánglián (Chinese: 短萼黄连).
Pharmacology
A variety of pharmacological effects of Coptis chinensis extracts or its chemical components have been reported, but the relevance of these in vitro and animals studies to human health are unknown. For example, a 1996 in vitro study found Coptis chinensis extracts to be effective against the gastrointestinal parasite Blastocystis hominis. A study in rats suggested Coptis and berberine (the primary alkaloid in Coptis) are potential agents for preventing intestinal injury. Berberine may also have anti-atherosclerosis effects. Berberine and basic extracts of Coptis chinensis also have demonstrated positive effects in an animal model of neurodegeneration. Animal studies suggest Coptis chinensis rhizomes may help with the pain of irritable bowel syndrome.
Other uses
Because of the strong coloring quality of berberine, it has been traditionally used as a dye, especially for wool and other fibers.