Achyranthes bidentata--- SIDE EFFECTS AND HEALTH BENEFITS

Achyranthees bidentata may have anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritis and
analgestic effects.

Achyranthes bidentata was observed to inhibit the ear inflammation and
alleviate the pain caused by hot plate in a mice study. [4]

Korean researchers found oral administration of an extract from
Achyranthes bidentata and Atractylodes japonica could markedly inhibit
collagen-induced arthritis, adjuvant-induced arthritis, and
zymosan-induced inflammation. It also inhibited carrageenan-induced
acute edema and acetic acid-induced writhing response. [11]

Achyranthes bidentata may improve immune system

Polysaccharides extracted from the root of Achyranthes bidentata induced
interleukin-1 (IL-1) synthesis as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha
(TNF-alpha) synthesis and secretion from thioglycolate-primed mouse
peritoneal macrophages in vitro. [1] Achyranthes bidentata
polysaccharides prolonged the survival days of mice suffered from Ehrlich
carcinoma. These compounds promoted the plaque forming cells response
to sheep red blood cells and serum IgG level and also elevated the NK cell
activity and serum TNF content in mice bearing S180 responses. [2]
Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides were also found to inhibit tumor
growth via immuno-enhancement route by another group. [3]

Researchers from Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union
Medical College further supported this observation of the
immunomodulatory effects of the polysaccharides in a mice study. [5]

Side Effects of Achyranthes bidentata?

Researchers from Wenzhou Medical College reported Achyranthes
bidentata

polysaccharides could against Lewis lung cancer (LLC) in C57BL/6 mice.
However, they noticed that high doses of the polysaccharides actually
stimulated the growth of the cancer in the mice. [12]

Other Possible Benefits

Researchers from Shenyang Pharmaceutical University showed that
ecdysterone from Achyranthes bidentata promoted the proliferation of
osteoblast-like UMR 106 cells. [5] While another group found the oleanolic
acid extracted from Achyranthes bidentata has an anti-bone resorption
effect. [14] It has also been shown to regenerate peripheral nerve in
rabbits. [15]

Composition

Roots of Achyranthes bidentata [6-9]

Bidentatoside,. Bidentatoside II, and chikusetsusaponin V methyl ester.
n-butyl-beta-D-fructopyranoside, oleanoic acid,
3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl], oleanoic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside,
allantoin, 20-hydroxy ecdysone, glutamic acid,
3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl], oleanoic acid 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl
ester. Achyranthesterone A
(2beta,3beta,14alpha,20S,21,22R,25-heptahydroxycholest-7-en-6-one, a
phytosterone), 26-pentahydroxy-cholestan-7,12-dien-6-one

Researchers from Nanjing University isolated five oleanolic acid glycosides
and they all inhibited the formation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells.
[10]

Reference:

[1] Xiang DB, Li XY. Effects of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides on
interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production from mouse
peritoneal macrophages. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1993 Jul;14(4):332-6.
[2] Xiang DB, Li XY. Antitumor activity and immuno-potentiating actions of
Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides. Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1993
Nov;14(6):556-61. [3] Yu S, Zhang Y. Effect of Achyranthes bidentata
polysaccharides (ABP) on antitumor activity and immune function of
S180-bearing mice Zhonghua Zhong Liu Za Zhi. 1995 Jul;17(4):275-8. [4]
Lu T, Mao C, Zhang L, Xu W. The research on analgestic and
anti-inflammatory action of different processed products of Achyranthes
bidentata Zhong Yao Cai. 1997 Oct;20(10):507-9 [5] Li ZK, Li DD. The
immunomodulatory effect of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides Yao
Xue Xue Bao. 1997 Dec;32(12):881-7. [5] Gao XY, Wang DW, Li FM.
Determination of ecdysterone in Achyranthes bidentata Bl. and its activity
promoting proliferation of osteoblast-like cells Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2000
Nov;35(11):868-70. [6] Mitaine-Offer AC, Marouf A, Pizza C, Khanh TC,
Chauffert B, Lacaille-Dubois MA. Bidentatoside I, a new triterpene saponin
from Achyranthes bidentata. J Nat Prod. 2001 Feb;64(2):243-5. [7]
Mitaine-Offer AC, Marouf A, Hanquet B, Birlirakis N, Lacaille-Dubois MA.
Two triterpene saponins from Achyranthes bidentata. Chem Pharm Bull
(Tokyo). 2001Nov;49(11):1492-4. [8] Wang T, Cui SY, Suo YR, Lu RH.
Studies on water-soluble chemical constituents in root of Achyranthes
bidentata Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004 Jul;29(7):649-52. [9] Meng
DL, Li X, Wang JH, Li W. A new phytosterone from Achyranthes bidentata
B1. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2005 Apr;7(2):181-4. [10] Li JX, Hareyama T,
Tezuka Y, Zhang Y, Miyahara T, Kadota S. Five new oleanolic acid
glycosides from Achyranthes bidentata with inhibitory activity on
osteoclast formation. Planta Med. 2005 Jul;71(7):673-9. [11] Han SB, Lee
CW, Yoon YD, Lee JH, Kang JS, Lee KH, Yoon WK, Lee K, Park SK, Kim HM.
Prevention of arthritic inflammation using an oriental herbal combination
BDX-1 isolated from Achyranthes bidentata and Atractylodes japonica.
Arch Pharm Res. 2005 Aug;28(8):902-8. [12] Jin LQ, Zheng ZJ, Peng Y, Li
WX, Chen XM, Lu JX. Opposite effects on tumor growth depending on
dose of Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides in C57BL/6 mice. Int
Immunopharmacol. 2007 May;7(5):568-77. Epub 2007 Jan 22. [13] Li X,
Zhao W, Meng D, Qiao A. A new phytosterone from the roots of
Achyranthes bidentata. Fitoterapia. 2007 Dec;78(7-8):607-8. Epub 2007
May 10. [14] Li JF, Zhao Y, Cai MM, Li XF, Li JX. Synthesis and evaluation of
a novel series of heterocyclic oleanolic acid derivatives with
anti-osteoclast formation activity. Eur J Med Chem. 2008 Dec 31. [15] Ding
F, Cheng Q, Gu X. The repair effects of Achyranthes bidentata extract on
the crushed common peroneal nerve of rabbits. Fitoterapia. 2008
Apr;79(3):161-7. Epub 2007 Dec 5.

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Achyranthees bidentata may have a lot of
benefits but....
This article was prepared on February 21, 2009