The prominence of the Bupleurum species cannot be overstated. Across China and Japan, it serves as a main or supplementary ingredient in over two thirds of traditional medications. For over 2000 years, it has been used to treat fevers, intestinal maladies, malaria, and countless other afflictions. Modern research indicates that it may possess anti-tumor qualities, and researchers continue to report its impact on a wide range of ailments, from hepatitis and epilepsy, to irregularity and menopause, as well as psychosis and schizophrenia. Bupleurum Species: Scientific Evaluation and Clinical Applications brings together the work of leading researchers from Asia and Europe who examine this remarkable genus of plants.
Providing a comprehensive look at all aspects relevant to the species, this historic volume:
- Examines the botany of the species, including detailed descriptions of the plant parts used in medicine
- Discusses cultivation worldwide, looking at how environmental factors influence plant content
- Details its chemistry and biology, covering plants in Asia, as well as Spain and Italy
- Explores what is currently understood about its pharmacology
- Looks at its effectiveness in clinical applications, including a summary of recent findings on its use as a treatment for septic shock
- Provides the most complete compendium available on patents containing Bupleurum, listing over 500, and detailing each one's application and inventor
Edited by the renowned Sheng-Li Pan, who has discovered six new species of Bupleurum, this important work should be considered required reading for those who wish to explore the properties of this remarkable natural product, along with its proven and potential applications. It has also been effectively organized as a reference for those involved with the application and research of natural products, as well as botanists and those employed with drug discovery and development.
Introduction; Sheng-Li Pan
I. Botany: Macroscopical Characters of the Medicinal Species of Bupleurum and Their Distribution in China; Sheng-Li Pan and Yun Kang
- Microscopical Characters of the Medicinal Species of Bupleurum in China; Sheng-Li Pan
- Chromosomes of Bupleurum L. Especially for the Classification and Cross-Breeding of B. falcatum L. sensu lato; Shigeki Ohta, Eiji Miki, You-Chang Zhu, and Chang-Qi Yuan
II. Cultivation: Cultivation of Bupleurum falcatum in Japan; Osamu Iida
- Distribution of Saikosaponin of Bupleurum falcatum and Variation of Its in Plant Organs by Environmental Factors; Nak-Sul Seong, Hae-Gon Chung, and Kwan-Su Kim
III. Chemistry: Main Chemical Constituents of Bupleurum Genus; Sheng-Li Pan
- The Chemistry and Biological Activity of the Genus; Bupleurum in Spain; Alejandro F. Barrero, M. Mar Herrador, Pilar Arteaga, and José F. Quílez
- The Chemistry and Biological Activity of the Genus Bupleurum in Italy; Luisa Pistelli
IV. Pharmacology: The Pharmacological Activity of Chinese "Chaihu" - The Root of Bupleurum; Xiao-Min Du, Hui Xie, and Yun Kang
- Pharmacological Activity of Saikosaponins; Byung-Zun Ahn and Dai-Eun Sok
- Mitogenic Substance of Bupleuri Radix; Naohito Ohno and Toshiro Yadomae
V. Clinical Application: Clinical Applications of Prescriptions Containing Bupleurum Root; Bai-Can Yang and Jun Wang
- Anti-Hepatofibrotic Effect of Xiao-Chaihu-Tang (Sho-Saiko-To); Ichiro Shimizu
- Preventive Effects of Sho-Saiko-To against Septic Shock Symptoms; Shuhei Sakaguchi
VI. Patents Containing Bupleurum
"This text is the first of its kind and should prove quite useful for those interested in the properties and applications of this ubiquitous natural product. It is well organized and should serve as an excellent reference for botanist, natural products chemists, and those involved with drug discovery."
- Kathleen M. Halligan in Journal of Natural Products, 2007, Vol. 70, No. 1