Fructus chaenomelis
From HerbLab, herbal encyclopedia of Chinese traditional medicine
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Fructus chaenomelis(木瓜)
Wang Shixiong of the Qing Dynasty remarked that: "The herb is sour and neutral to regulate qi, harmonize the functions of the stomach, nourish the liver, relieve flatulence, relax muscles, calm pathogenic wind and remove dampness. " Fructus Chaenomelis is the dried fruit of Chaenomeles lagenaria (Loisel,) Koidz.of the family Rosaceae, which is mainly produced in Southwest China. Chaenomeles lagenaria (Loisel.) Koidz' var, wilsonii Rehd. and Chaenomeles lagenaria (Loisel.) Koidz.var cathayensis Rehd., both have the same pharmacological functions as Fructus Chaenomelis. The major component of the herb is carpaine.
ANTICANCER PHARMACOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
1.Caine of the herb has a remarkable effect against the activation of lymphocytic leukemia-1210. 2. Carpaine has an intermediate action against lymphocytic leukemia-388 and cancer cells of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. 3. The water decoction and alcohol extract ofFructus Chaenomelis apparently have inhibitive effects on Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma in rats. 4. Malic acid and potassium malate in Fructus Chaenomelis highly inhibit ascites carcinoma in rats. 5. Experiments in vitro showed that the water decoction of Fructus Chaenomelis has an inhibitory rate of 70-90% on JTC-26.
EXPERIMENTAL FORMULAS
For various types of cancer
an injection of Fructus Chaenomelis is administered intramuscularly with a dose of 50mg twice a day. (Bulletin of Medicinal Herbs, Vol 6, 1976)
For prolonged pains of abdominal tumors:
Fructus Chaenomelis 30g FoliumMori 15g Fructus Ziziphi Inermis 3 piece A decoction of the herbs is taken frequently. (Dietetic Materia Medico)
HISTORICAL COMMENTS
It was described in Collection of Holy Prescriptions that: "The drug cures flatulence and pain caused by the attack of qi on the abdominal and costal regions due to the deficiency and coldness of the kidney. Thirty fresh Fructus Chaenomelis are peeled with its core removed, then filled with 500 grams of the powder of Flos Chrysanthemi and salt, finally steamed and pounded to plaster to be mixed with 1000 grams of Folium Artemisiae Argyi for making into pills of the size of Semen Firmianae. Thirty pills are taken each time, twice a day."
In Supplement to Compendium of Medicinal Herbs was written that: "To cure cardiac attack due to foot qi, an immature Fructus Chaenomelis, with its seeds removed, is decocted and taken. Fructus Chaenomelis strengthens muscles and bones, keeps cold wind flowing downward, relieves nausea, cures heart and diaphragm syndrome and promotes digestion."
Noted in Lei's Treatise on Preparation of Drugs was that: "The drug regulates ying and u'e/and supports the essence derived from food."
THE AUTHOR'S NOTE
It was found in Changhai Hospital in Shanghai that 2.5% Fructus Chaenomelis crystal has a higher inhibition rate on Ehriich's ascites carcinoma in rats. Further experiments revealed that the antineoplastic substances were not the tartaric acid, citric acid and ascorbic acid it contained.category：ALL KINDS OF CANCER
