Sanqi (source: wikipedia)
There are so many arguments about the efficacy of Panax notoginseng that there is simply nothing that it cannot cure. In detail, these effects can be divided into three categories: first, whitening and freckle removal for female compatriots; First, it is aimed at office workers, calming the nerves and resisting fatigue; There are also some aimed at the elderly, lowering blood pressure, blood fat and blood sugar.
The efficacy of Sanqi (picture from the Internet)
So, what exactly is notoginseng?
Notoginseng refers to the root of the plant Notoginseng. Notoginseng mentioned in various health preserving methods is often panax pseudo-ginseng, that is, the powder made from the roots of the plant Notoginseng.
In terms of composition, Panax notoginseng contains many substances, such as saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, volatile oil, amino acids, etc. Generally speaking, saponins are its main physiologically active components. On the research of natural whitening ingredients, dozens of medicinal materials such as licorice and Ligusticum chuanxiong were mentioned, and the figure of Panax notoginseng was also not seen. [6]
In view of this, we can be cautious that Panax notoginseng has no effect on whitening.
Secondly, talk about anti-fatigue.
Fatigue can be divided into two types. One is physical strength type, which is related to muscles. In the process of exercise and heavy work, lactic acid accumulates in muscles, which in turn causes soreness. The other kind is miscellaneous, such as lack of sleep, poor air, bad mood, long-term sedentary, etc., which can all lead to fatigue.
The research on anti-fatigue of Panax notoginseng focuses on the former, mainly on animal experiments. First, let the mice swim until they are exhausted, and then fill their stomachs with Panax notoginseng saponin extract to observe their reaction. The results showed that saponins could reduce lactic acid accumulation. [7] That is to say, for physical fatigue, Panax notoginseng shows a certain effect.
The problem is that most office workers are engaged in mental work, and the so-called fatigue has nothing to do with physical strength. Whether we can copy the results of animal experiments is debatable.
Finally, the problem of three highs.
Hyperglycemia, hypertension and hyperlipidemia have always been hot areas, and there are also many studies on this aspect of Sanqi.
These studies can be divided into three categories.
Take blood lipid research as an example. The first category is the theoretical level. It is generally believed that dyslipidemia will lead to vascular endothelial damage. Once vascular endothelium is damaged, platelets will gather and accumulate at the damaged site, which will lead to atherosclerosis.
Schematic diagram of atherosclerosis (source: wikipedia)
In order to study the effect of Panax notoginseng on this, we can culture animal blood vessels in vitro, perfuse fat and Panax notoginseng saponin extract, and observe the changes of blood vessels. The results show that panax notoginseng can block the damage of blood vessels caused by low concentration dyslipidemia to a certain extent. [8]
The second category is animal experiments. Let animals suffer from hyperlipidemia first, and then use Sanqi preparation to measure various indexes related to blood lipid.
There is a disagreement here. If the Panax notoginseng saponin extract is infused, the experiment shows that the blood sugar and blood lipid of mice are significantly reduced; Some scholars used panax pseudo-ginseng to feed mice. As a result, the blood sugar did not change, and the blood lipid decreased, but the degree was average, which could only be called moderate. [9]
Notoginseng Radix from different habitats has different saponin content, which is about 10%. [10] panax pseudo-ginseng enters the body and cannot be fully utilized by the human body. The bioavailability is about18%. [1 1] Although Panax Notoginsenoside has shown the effect of reducing blood lipid, it is very difficult to say how effective it will be to take panax pseudo-ginseng.
Some people have done clinical experiments. [12] However, these clinical trials either used drugs, such as injection related to Panax notoginseng, instead of panax pseudo-ginseng, or the samples were few, with a total of dozens of people, or the design was not ideal. Theoretically, one group should use western medicine and the other group should use Panax Notoginseng to directly compare the therapeutic effects of the two groups. However, in research, one group often uses western medicine and the other group adds Panax Notoginseng, and the results are not so convincing.
The research on hypertension and hyperglycemia is similar. In theory, Panax Notoginsenoside has certain efficacy, but whether oral panax pseudo-ginseng can treat these diseases still needs authoritative research to test. Notoginseng has not been listed as a first-line treatment drug in various expert knowledge, diagnosis and treatment guidelines.
Speaking of which, there are two things that cannot be ignored. First, Panax notoginseng is very similar to Panax notoginseng, and Panax notoginseng has certain hepatotoxicity [13]. If you decide to buy Panax notoginseng, you must pay attention to distinguish it, and you'd better consult professionals to avoid being cheated.
Secondly, according to the official classification, Panax notoginseng belongs to medicine first, and secondly, it can be added to health food, but in the process of declaring the homology of medicine and food, it has repeatedly hit a wall. As a medicine, Panax notoginseng, as mentioned earlier, has a very narrow range of application, only dispersing blood stasis to stop bleeding, reducing swelling and relieving pain; Panax notoginseng, as a health care product, has a wider scope of action, but any health care product can only promote health care efficacy, and it is not allowed to promote therapeutic efficacy. Declaring that the homology of medicine and food hit a wall means that healthy people have no need to take it for a long time. [ 14]
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references
[1] Jianping Song, Ceng Jiang, Cui Xiuming, et al. Studies on the chemical constituents of Panax notoginseng (Ⅱ)[D]. 2007.
[2] National Pharmacopoeia Committee. Chinese Pharmacopoeia (20 15 edition) [M]. China Medical Science and Technology Press, 20 15.
[3] Liu Yueheng, Song Feifei, Wang Ling, et al. Research progress of skin melanin formation mechanism and development status of skin whitening agents [J]. Beijing Daily Chemical, 2009( 1): 2430.
[4]KIM J-H. Cardiovascular Diseases and Panax ginseng: A Review on Molecular Mechanisms and Medical Applications[J]. Journal of Ginseng Research, 20 12, 36( 1): 1626.
Yang Zhigang, Chen Aqin, Yu Songdong. New progress in pharmacological research of Panax notoginseng [D]. 2005.
Liu Wei. Study on the application of natural whitening ingredients in whitening cosmetics [J]. Guangdong Chemical Industry, 20 16, 43( 13): 4749.
[7]YONG-XIN X, JIAN-JUN Z. Evaluation of anti-fatigue activity of total saponins of Radix notoginseng[J]. The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 20 13, 137( 1): 15 1 155.
Marco, Tang Jintu. Experimental research progress of Panax notoginseng saponins [J]. Zhejiang Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2002,12 (3):197198.
[9]CICERO A F G, VITALE G, SAVINO G et al. Panax noto ginseng (Burk.) effects on fibrosis and lipid plasma level in rats fed on a high-fat diet [J]. Phytotherapy Research, 2003,17 (2):174178.
[10] Sun Yuqin, Xiang Feijun, Ceng Jiang, et al. Comparison of Panax Notoginseng Saponins from Different Areas in Yunnan Province [J]. Journal of Wenshan University, 20 13, 26(6): 8 10.
[ 1 1]XU Q F, FANG X L, CHEN D F. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of ginsenoside Rb 1 and Rg 1 from Panaxnotoginseng in rats[J]. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2003, 84(2): 187 192.
[12] Thaung Myint, Tang Xiaoling, Chen Rong. Clinical research progress of panax notoginseng saponins in treating cardiovascular diseases [J]. China Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Information, 2006, 13(9): 9396.
[13] Xu Jing, Wang Maorong. Research progress of hepatic veno-occlusive syndrome caused by Radix Notoginseng [J]. Journal of Practical Liver Diseases, 20 13( 1): 9496.
[14] Can panax pseudo-ginseng be taken for a long time? -Xinhuanet [EB/OL]. [2018-1-14]. The signed articles published on this website only represent the author's views and have nothing to do with this website. If there is any infringement, the responsibility is at your own risk.
Author: Zhao Yanchang