Radix trichosanthis cucumeroidis
From HerbLab, herbal encyclopedia of Chinese traditional medicine
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Radix trichosanthis cucumeroidis(王瓜)
Yany Shitai in the Qing Dynasty said that: "The drug is bitter in taste and cold in nature,promoting blood circulation to expel hemostasis caused by heat accumulation."
The drug is obtained from a plant of the Trichosanthes genus and the Cucurbitaceae family, the root of which is for medical use. The drug is mainly produced in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei and Taiwan. In Jiangsu and Zhejiang, the peel of the fruit is used as Pericarpium Trichosanthis and the seed is used as Semen Trichosanthis.
ANTICANCER PHARMACOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
1. Most of the plants of the Cucurbitaceae family contain cucurbitacin which has been proved to inhibit the respiration and anaerobic glycolysis of the cells of ascites cancer. 2. The drug inhibits cells ascites carcinoma, sarcoma-180 and JTC-26.
EXPERIMENTAL FORMULAS
For nasopharyngeal cancer:
10 grams of the drug is cut into slices, steeped in 25ml of 75% ethanol, added with 25ml of distilled water first and 50ml more three days later, and then filtrated out the residue with sterilized gauze and added with 20ml of glycerin. The preparation is dropped into the nose 3-6 times a day. This treatment may be accompanied with a prescription containing: 3 Scolopendra, 3 grams of Squama manitis, 3 grams of Eupolyphaga seu Steleophaga and 3 grams of Lumbricus, which are ground into powder, mixed with Radix Notoginseng Powder, millet wine and Xinyi Powder. The prescription is taken three times a day in decoction. (Collection of Papers from a National Display of New Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies)
For gastro cancer cancer:
The drug and 6 grams of Gastrocalming Powder are decocted for oral taking. (History of Sichuan Medicinal Herbs)
For hematochezia due to entero cancer:
Radix Trichosanthis Cucumeroidis 30g Radix Rehmanniae 60g Rhizoma Coptidis 15g
The prescription is made into honey-coated pills for oral administration 30 grams a time with millet porridge. (Guiding Prescriptions)
HISTORICAL COMMENTS
Canon of Compendium of Materia Medica says that: "The drug cures interior disorder and amenorrhea. "
Records of Famous Doctors says that: "The drug clears away accumulated heat and subsides inflammation. "
Compendium of Materia Medica says that: "The drug cures black complexion and facial sore. "
Synopsis of Golden Chamber says that the drug cures leukorrhagia, menstrual disorder, and abdominal distension.
Introduction to Medicine says that: "The drug cures dysphagia. "
Materia Medica for Daily Use says that: "The drug subsides swelling, cures jaundice, promotes lactation and menstruation. "
THE HERBLAB.ORG'S NOTE
The drug used alone is effective in easing pain caused by cancer. 65 cases of pain due to trauma, operation and gastroenteric disorder were treated with pills made from the drug (0.5g-1g a tirre for adult) in Nongyai County, Fujian Province, 48 relieved and 11 improved, according to the report in Collection of Papers from a National Display of New Traditional Chinese Medicine Therapies in 1970. The effect was gained 5 to 30 minutes after the administration of the drug and continued for 0.5 to 72 hours.
