Health Care Professional Information
Common Name
Privet, Nu Zhen Zi, Glossy Privet, Dong qing Zin
Clinical Summary
Ligustrum lucidum is a Chinese medicinal plant that is often used in combination with other herbs in botanical formulas. There are several species of Ligustrum that are thought to have different medicinal properties (2) (3). Traditionally, the plant is used to treat diminished eye sight, dizziness, fever, insomnia, and lower back pain. Some herbalists also use it to treat side effects caused by chemotherapy and to increase immunity in cancer patients. In vitro studies have shown that the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum have antitumor (4) (5) (6), immunomodulatory (7) (13), antioxidative (1), antiviral (8), antimutagenic (9) (10), hepatoprotective (11), and antidiabetic (12) properties.
However, human data are lacking.
There are no reports of adverse effects from the use of Ligustrum.
Purported Uses
- Cancer treatment
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Immunostimulation
- Insomnia
- Viral infections
Constituents
- Triterpenoids: Oleanolic Acid, Osolic Acid Oleuropenin Denamite
- Secoiridoid Glucosides: Lucidumoside, Oleoside dimethyl ether, Neonuezhenide, Oleuropein, Ligustrosides A and B, Isoneuzhenide, Lucidumosides A, B, C, and D, isoligustrosidic acid, 6'-O-trans-cinnamoyl 8-epikingisidic acid, 6'-O-cis-cinnamoyl 8-epikingisidic acid, oleopolynuzhenide A, nuzhenals A and B
(1) (14)
Mechanism of Action
Ligustrum lucidum is thought to exert antitumor properties by modulating immune response and by reverting macrophage suppression brought about by tumors (4). Another in vitro study has shown that such effects may also be due to increase in phagocytes and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells (5). The secoiridoid glucosides in Ligustrum fruit showed strong antioxidant effect against free radical-associated hemolysis of erythrocytes (1). One of the secoiridoid glucosides, oleuropein, also demonstrated significant antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza type 3 virus (Para 3) although the mechanism is not known (8). The hepatoprotective effects of Ligustrum are due to the oleanolic acid and are thought to be mediated by an increase in hepatic glutathione regeneration capacity (11).
Literature Summary and Critique
Clinical trials have not been conducted to test the anticancer effects of Ligustrum lucidum.
Dosage (Inside MSKCC Only)
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References
- He ZD, et al. Antioxidative glucosides from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2001; 49(6):780-784.
- Lau KM, et al. Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and hepato-protective effects of Ligustrum robustum. J Ethnopharmacol 2002; 83(1-2):63-71.
- Wong IY, et al. Antioxidative activities of phenylethanoid glycosides from Ligustrum purpurascens. J Agric Food Chem 2001; 49(6):3113-3119.
- Rittenhouse JR, Lui PD, Lau BH. Chinese medicinal herbs reverse macrophage suppression induced by urological tumors. J Urol 1991; 146(2):486-490.
- Lau BH, et al. Chinese medicinal herbs inhibit growth of murine renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Biother 1994; 9(2):153-161.
- Hsieh TC, et al. Effects of herbal preparation Equiguard on hormone-responsive and hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma cells: mechanistic studies. Int J Oncol 2002; 20(4):681-689.
- Sun Y, et al. Immune restoration and/or augmentation of local graft versus host reaction by traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Cancer 1983; 52(1):70-73.
- Ma SC, et al. In vitro evaluation of secoiridoid glucosides from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum as antiviral agents. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2001; 49(11):1471-1473.
- Wong BY, et al. Chinese medicinal herbs modulate mutagenesis, DNA binding and metabolism of aflatoxin B1. Mutat Res 1992; 279(3):209-216.
- Niikawa M, et al.Isolation of substances from glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum Ait.) inhibiting the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene in bacteria. Mutat Res 1993; 319(1):1-9.
- Yim TK, et al. Hepatoprotective action of an oleanolic acid-enriched extract of Ligustrum lucidum fruits is mediated through an enhancement on hepatic glutathione regeneration capacity in mice. Phytother Res 2001; 15(7):589-592.
- Gao D, Li Q, Li Y, et al. Antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of oleanolic acid from Ligustrum lucidum Ait in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Phytother Res. 2009 Sep;23(9):1257-62.
- Wang J, Shan A, Liu T, Zhang C, Zhang Z. In vitro immunomodulatory effects of an oleanolic acid-enriched extract of Ligustrum lucidum fruit (Ligustrum lucidum supercritical CO2 extract) on piglet immunocytes. Int Immunopharmacol. 2012 Dec;14(4):758-63.
- Aoki S, Honda Y, Kikuchi T, Miura T, et al. Six new secoiridoids from the dried fruits of Ligustrum lucidum. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2012;60(2):251-6.
Consumer Information
How It Works
Bottom Line: Ligustrum lucidum has not been shown to treat cancer in humans.
Ligustrum lucidum is a Chinese medicinal herb used to treat diminished eye sight, dizziness, fever, insomnia, and to increase immune function in cancer patients. In vitro studies have shown that it has antioxidative, antitumor, and immunomodulating effects. However, human data are lacking.
Purported Uses
- Cancer treatment
In vitro studies have shown that Ligustrum lucidum has anticancer properties. But clinical evidence is lacking.
- Immunostimulation
Data from laboratory studies indicate that Ligustrum lucidum can change immune response.
- Eye sight
Ligustrum lucidum is used in Chinese medicine to treat poor eye sight but there is no clinical evidence to support this.
- Dizziness
There are no data to support this use although Ligustrum lucidum is used to treat dizziness in Chinese medicine.
- Fever
This use is not backed by scientific evidence.
- Insomnia
There are no data to support this use.
- Antiviral
One in vitro study has shown that Ligustrum lucidum is effective against certain viruses.
Research Evidence
No clinical trials have been conducted to test the efficacy of Ligustrum lucidum.
Do Not Take If
You have hypersensitivity to Ligustrum lucidum.
Last updated: February 28, 2013
acid (A-sid)
A chemical that gives off hydrogen ions in water and forms salts by combining with certain metals. Acids have a sour taste and turn certain dyes red. Some acids made by the body, such as gastric acid, can help organs work the way they should. An example of an acid is hydrochloric acid. Acidity is measured on a scale called the pH scale. On this scale, a value of 7 is neutral, and a pH value of less than 7 to 0 shows increasing acidity.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)antioxidant (AN-tee-OK-sih-dent)
A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules made by the process of oxidation during normal metabolism). Free radicals may play a part in cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other diseases of aging. Antioxidants include beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins A, C, and E, and other natural and manufactured substances.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)antitumor (AN-tee-TOO-mer)
Having to do with stopping abnormal cell growth.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)antiviral (AN-tee-VY-rul)
A drug used to treat infections caused by viruses.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)chemotherapy (KEE-moh-THAYR-uh-pee)
Treatment with drugs that kill cancer cells.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)clinical (KLIH-nih-kul)
Having to do with the examination and treatment of patients.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)efficacy (EH-fih-kuh-see)
Effectiveness. In medicine, the ability of an intervention (for example, a drug or surgery) to produce the desired beneficial effect.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)fever (FEE-ver)
An increase in body temperature above normal (98.6 degrees F), usually caused by disease.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)glutathione (GLOO-tuh-THY-one)
A substance found in plant and animal tissues that has many functions in a cell. These include activating certain enzymes and destroying toxic compounds and chemicals that contain oxygen.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)hemolysis (hee-MAH-lih-sis)
The breakdown of red blood cells. Some diseases, medicines, and toxins may cause red blood cells to break down more quickly than usual.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)hepatic (heh-PA-tik)
Refers to the liver.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)hypersensitivity (HY-per-SEN-sih-tih-vih-tee)
An exaggerated response by the immune system to a drug or other substance.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)immune function (ih-MYOON FUNK-shun)
Production and action of cells that fight disease or infection.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)immune response (ih-MYOON reh-SPONTS)
The activity of the immune system against foreign substances (antigens).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)immunity (ih-MYOO-nih-tee)
The condition of being protected against an infectious disease. Immunity can be caused by a vaccine, previous infection with the same agent, or by transfer of immune substances from another person or animal.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)in vitro (in VEE-troh)
In the laboratory (outside the body). The opposite of in vivo (in the body).
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)insomnia (in-SOM-nee-uh)
Difficulty in going to sleep or getting enough sleep.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)macrophage (MA-kroh-fayj)
A type of white blood cell that surrounds and kills microorganisms, removes dead cells, and stimulates the action of other immune system cells.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)medicine (MEH-dih-sin)
Refers to the practices and procedures used for the prevention, treatment, or relief of symptoms of a diseases or abnormal conditions. This term may also refer to a legal drug used for the same purpose.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)regeneration (ree-JEH-neh-RAY-shun)
In biology, regrowth of damaged or destroyed tissue or body part.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)respiratory syncytial virus (RES-pih-ruh-TOR-ee sin-SIH-shul VY-rus)
A virus that causes respiratory infections with cold-like symptoms. Also called RSV.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)response (reh-SPONTS)
In medicine, an improvement related to treatment.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)significant (sig-NIH-fih-kunt)
In statistics, describes a mathematical measure of difference between groups. The difference is said to be significant if it is greater than what might be expected to happen by chance alone. Also called statistically significant.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)viral (VY-rul)
Having to do with a virus.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)virus (VY-rus)
In medicine, a very simple microorganism that infects cells and may cause disease. Because viruses can multiply only inside infected cells, they are not considered to be alive.
Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)
