Coptis chinensis
Encyclopedia
The Chinese goldthread (Coptis chinensis) is a species
of goldthread native to China
.
and serve as a source for the isoquinoline
alkaloids berberine
, palmatine
, hydrastine
, and coptisine
among others.
, where it is called duǎn è huánglián . In Chinese medicine it clears heat and drys dampness, 'purging fire to eliminate toxin'.
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
extacts 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
. In rats, it significantly reduced the serotonin
(5HT) concentration from the distal colon.
, it has been traditionally used as a dye
, especially for wool
and other fibers.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of goldthread native to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
.
Etymology
- Coptis chinensis Franch. var. chinensis
- (syn. Coptis teeta WallichWallichWallich is a surname which may refer to:* George Charles Wallich , a marine biologist and medical doctor; son of Nathaniel Wallich* Henry Wallich , a banker and economist* Hermann Wallich , a banker; father of Paul Wallich...
var. chinensis Finet & Gagnepain)
- (syn. Coptis teeta Wallich
Chemical constituents
The rhizomes of Coptis chinensis are used in Traditional Chinese MedicineTraditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
and serve as a source for the isoquinoline
Isoquinoline
Isoquinoline is a heterocyclic aromatic organic compound. It is a structural isomer of quinoline. Isoquinoline and quinoline are benzopyridines, which are composed of a benzene ring fused to a pyridine ring. In a broader sense, the term isoquinoline is used to make reference to isoquinoline...
alkaloids berberine
Berberine
Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis Berberine is a quaternary...
, palmatine
Palmatine
Palmatine is a protoberberine alkaloid found in several plants including Phellodendron amurense, Rhizoma coptidis/Coptis Chinensis and Corydalis yanhusuo.It is the major component of the protoberberine extract from Enantia chlorantha....
, hydrastine
Hydrastine
Hydrastine is a natural alkaloid which was discovered in 1851 by Alfred P. Durand. Hydrolysis of hydrastine yields hydrastinine, which was patented by Bayer as a haemostatic drug during the 1910s....
, and coptisine
Coptisine
Coptisine is an alkaloid found in Chinese goldthread . Famous for the bitter taste that it produces, it is used in Chinese herbal medicine along with the related compound berberine for treating digestive disorders caused by bacterial infections.Also found in Greater Celandine and has also been...
among others.
Traditional uses
Coptis chinensis is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicineTraditional Chinese medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to a broad range of medicine practices sharing common theoretical concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage , exercise , and dietary therapy...
, where it is called duǎn è huánglián . In Chinese medicine it clears heat and drys dampness, 'purging fire to eliminate toxin'.
Pharmacology
A 1996 study found Coptis chinensis to be effective against the gastrointestinalGastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
parasite
Parasitism
Parasitism is a type of symbiotic relationship between organisms of different species where one organism, the parasite, benefits at the expense of the other, the host. Traditionally parasite referred to organisms with lifestages that needed more than one host . These are now called macroparasites...
Blastocystis hominis
Blastocystis
Blastocystis is a genus of single-celled protozoan parasites belonging to a group of organisms known as the Stramenopiles that includes algae, diatoms, and water molds...
. 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
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which an artery wall thickens as a result of the accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol...
effects. Berberine and basic
Base (chemistry)
For the term in genetics, see base A base in chemistry is a substance that can accept hydrogen ions or more generally, donate electron pairs. A soluble base is referred to as an alkali if it contains and releases hydroxide ions quantitatively...
extacts 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
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is a functional bowel disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain, discomfort, bloating, and alteration of bowel habits in the absence of any detectable organic cause. In some cases, the symptoms are relieved by bowel movements...
. In rats, it significantly reduced the serotonin
Serotonin
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
(5HT) concentration from the distal colon.
Other uses
Because of the strong coloring quality of berberineBerberine
Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis Berberine is a quaternary ammonium salt from the protoberberine group of isoquinoline alkaloids. It is found in such plants as Berberis Berberine is a quaternary...
, it has been traditionally used as a dye
Dye
A dye is a colored substance that has an affinity to the substrate to which it is being applied. The dye is generally applied in an aqueous solution, and requires a mordant to improve the fastness of the dye on the fiber....
, especially for wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
and other fibers.