Swertia Herb
TMPW No.:3947 |
Synonym | |
Latin name | Swertiae Herba |
Botanical source: Family name | Gentianaceae |
Botanical source: Plant name | Swertia japonica Makino (IPNI:370941-1) |
Part used | Whole herb collected during blooming |
Empirical criteria for quality selection | Good one has lots of flowers and leaves, and it is harvested on the early stages of inflorescence. (TN) |
Constituents | Monoterpenoids: Secoiridoids: Swertiamarin, Sweroside, Gentiopicroside, Amarogentin, Amaroswerin; S. japonica: Swertiamarin, Sweroside; the following compounds are metabolites: 4,4β-5α,6α-Tetrahydro-5β-hydroxymethyl-6β-methyl-1H,3H-pyrano[3,4-c]pyran-1-one, Epinaucledal, Naucledal; Gentiopicrin Triterpenoids: Oleanolic acid, Thysanolactone Xanthones: Norswertianin, Swertianin, Methylswertianin, Swertianolin, Desmethylbellidifolin, Bellidifolin(=Swertianol), Methylbellidifolin; S. japonica: Tetrahydroswertianolin, 1,3,6,7-Tetrahydroxyxanthone; S. chirata: Mangiferin, 1,3,6,7-Tetrahydroxyxanthone; Swertinogen Flavonoids: Swertisin, Swertiajaponin, Homoorientin, Isovitexin; S. japonica: Homoorientin, 6-C-Glucosyleriodictyol, (±)-Eriodictyol, Luteolin Phenol derivatives: S. japonica: Phloroglucinol Other aromatic derivatives: S. japonica: Erythrocentaurin, Hydroxymethyl isochroman-1-one Pyridine alkaloids: S. japonica: Gentianine |
Pharmacological effects | Secretion of gastric juices (gentiopicrin: enhancement; genitianine: suppression; swertinogen: enhancement at low doses and suppression at high doses). Enhanced secretion of bile and pancreatic juice. Antiulcer (gentianine). Improvement of function of liver, dilatation of capillary, activation of skin cells, stimulation of hair growth (swertinogen). Hypoglycemic (bellidifolin). |
Indications | Amaroid stomachic, hair restorer, relaxation and antiinflammatory drug. |
Diseases | Stomachache, Abdominal pain |
Formulas | |
Meridian tropism | |
Property | |
Flavor | |
Classification in "Shen-non Ben-cao Jing" | |
TCM: Classification | |
TCM: Medicinal effects | |
Remarks | Listed in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia 18th ed. |
References | TN: T. Namba & Y. Tsuda ed., Outline of Pharmacognosy, a Textbook, 3rd ed., Nankodo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, 1998. |