- How It Works
- Purported Uses
- Research Evidence
- Do Not Take If
- Side Effects
- Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
Scientific Name
Glehnia littoralis
Common Name
Radix Glehniae, Adenophora tetraphylla, sha shen, hamabofu, American silvertop root
Clinical Summary
Derived from the root of the plant. This supplement is used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis and whooping cough. It is also used in Asia to treat immune-related diseases. Glehnia has been reported to have antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antiinflammatory and analgesic properties (1) (2). Laboratory studies have also indicated possible antitumor activity against several cancer cell lines (3). Theoretically, glehnia may have additive effects with anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents due to the coumarin component. Additional research is necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of this botanical.
Purported Uses
- Bronchitis
- Chest congestion
- Whooping cough
Constituents
Mechanism of Action
It has been reported that glehnia root can hemolyze blood cells, stimulate myocardial contractility, and exert antibacterial effects (8). A study using a mouse model demonstrated the analgesic effects of glehnia root extracts (2). In another murine study, intraperitoneal injection of glehnia extract was found to inhibit topical edema and also substantially reduced inflammatory damage, vascular permeability, cytokine production, and neutrophil-mediated myeloperoxidase activity (1). The results of another in vitro study suggested that the antiinflammatory properties of glehnia may be due to the inhibition of proinflammatory mediators, such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin 1-beta, via suppression of NF-kappaB- and mitogen-activated protein kinases-dependent pathways (9). An in vitro study also found that polyacetylenic compounds extracted from glehnia fruit may have antiproliferative activity against human gastric adenocarcinoma, (MK-1), human uterine carcinoma (HeLa), and murine malignant melanoma (B16F10) cancer cell lines (3).
Pharmacokinetics
No formal pharmacokinetic studies have been performed.
Contraindications
Due to the psoralen content, patients receiving radiation therapy should not consume this herb.
Adverse Reactions
No adverse reactions have been reported, but photosensitivity may occur due to psoralens.
Herb-Drug Interactions
Anticoagulants / Antiplatelets: Theoretically, glehnia root may have additive effects with anticoagulants and antiplatelets due to the coumarin content.
Literature Summary and Critique
No human trials have been performed with glehnia.
References
- Yoon T, Lee do Y, Lee AY, et al. Anti- inflammatory effects of Glehnia littoralis extract in acute and chronic cutaneous inflammation. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2010 Dec;32(4):663-70.
- Okuyama E, et al. Analgesic components of glehnia root (glehnia littoralis). Natural Med 1998;52:491-501.
- Nakano Y, Matsunaga H, Saita T, et al. Antiproliferative constituents in Umbelliferae plants II. Screening for polyacetylenes in some Umbelliferae plants, and isolation of panaxynol and falcarindiol from the root of Heracleum moellendorffii. Biol Pharm Bull. 1998 Mar;21(3):257-61.
- Miyazawa M, et al. Components of the essential oil from glehnia littoralis. Flavour Frangrance J 2001;16:215-8.
- Kitajima J, et al. Coumarin glycosides of glehnia littoralis root and rhizoma. Chem Pharm Bull 1998:46:1404-7.
- Ishikawa T, Sega Y, Kitajima J. Water-soluble constituents of glehnia littoralis fruit. Chem Pharm Bull 2001;49:584-8.
- Kitajima J, et al. New glycosides and furocoumarin from the glehnia littoralis root and rhizoma. Chem Pharm Bull 1998;46:1939-40.
- Huang KC. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs, 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press; 1999.
- Yoon T, Cheon MS, Lee AY, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of methylene chloride fraction from Glehnia littoralis extract via suppression of NF-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. J Pharmacol Sci. 2010 Jan;112(1):46-55.
How It Works
Bottom Line: There is no scientific evidence to support the traditional uses of Glehnia.
Scientists do not know how glehnia works. Very little laboratory research has been done with this herb, which is often used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some lab studies show that glehnia stimulates the heart's ability to contract, has antibacterial effects, and works as a topical pain killer in mice. It is not known if these effects occur in the human body.
Purported Uses
- To treat bronchitis and relieve chest congestion
Glehnia is used to treat bronchitis and chest congestion in traditional Chinese medicine, but these uses have not been tested in clinical trials. - To treat whooping cough
Glehnia is used to treat whooping cough in traditional Chinese medicine, but this use has not been tested in clinical trials.
Research Evidence
No clinical trials have been performed to test whether glehnia is safe or effective.
Do Not Take If
- You are taking warfarin or other blood thinners (Glehnia may increase the risk of bleeding).
- You are undergoing radiation therapy (Glehnia can cause increased skin sensitivity to light).
Side Effects
- None known
Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
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