Envoy at 06:09, 14 October 2007

2007-10-14T06:09:41Z

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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Eleutherococcus senticosus''
| image = Eleutherococcus senticosus.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Apiales]]
| familia = [[Araliaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Eleutherococcus]]''
| species = '''''E. senticosus'''''
| binomial = ''Eleutherococcus senticosus''
| binomial_authority = Rupr. & Maxim.
}}

'''''Eleutherococcus senticosus''''' (formerly ''Acanthopanax senticosis'') is a species of small, woody [[shrub]] in the family [[Araliaceae]] native to [[Northeastern Asia]]. In [[Chinese medicine]] it is known as Ci wu jia.<ref>http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?15004</ref> It is commonly called '''eleuthero''', and was previously marketed in the United States as '''Siberian Ginseng''' as it has similar [[herbalism|herbal]] properties to those of Panax [[ginseng]]. However, it belongs to a different genus in the family [[Araliaceae]], and it is currently illegal in the United States to market eleuthero as Siberian Ginseng since "ginseng" only refers to Panax species.<ref name="Winston">Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “'''Adaptogens''': Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.</ref>

The herb grows in mixed and coniferous mountain forests, forming low undergrowth or is found in groups in thickets and edges. ''E. senticosus'' is sometimes found in oak groves at the foot of cliffs, very rarely in high forest riparian woodland. It's native habitat is East Asia, China, Japan and Russia. ''E. senticosus'' is broadly tolerant of soils, growing in sandy, loamy and heavy clay soils with acid, neutral or alkaline chemistry and including soils of low nutritional value. It can tolerate sun or dappled shade and some degree of pollution. ''E. senticosus'' is a [[decidious]] shrub growing to 2m at a slow rate. It is hardy to zone 3. It flowers in July in most habitats. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects.<ref>[http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Eleutherococcus+senticosus#WEBREFS]Plants from the Future database.</ref>

''E. senticosus'' is a new addition to Western natural medicine, but has quickly gained a reputation similar to that of the better known and more expensive [[Panax ginseng|Chinese Ginseng]]. Though the chemical make-up of the two herbs differs, their effects seem to be similar. An extensive list of research on ''E. senticosus'' with links to [[PubMed]] is available.<ref> [http://www.herbmed.org/Herbs/Herb98.htm#Category1Herb98 List of Research on Eleuthero in PubMed]</ref>

The herb is an [[adaptogen]], is [[anticholesteremic]], is mildly [[anti-inflammatory]], is [[antioxidant]], is a [[nervine]] and an immune tonic. It is useful when the [[hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis]] ([[HPA]]) is depleted. Symptoms of this condition include fatigue, stress, neurasthenia and sore muscles associated with the hypofunctioning of the endocrine system, and adrenal exhaustion indicated by a quivering tongue, dark circles under the eyes, and dilating/contracting pupils. Eleuthero may alleviate these symptoms.<ref name="Winston">Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “'''Adaptogens''': Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.</ref>

==Ethnomedical use==
''E. senticosus'' is an [[adaptogen]] which has a wide range of health benefits attributed to its use. Currently, most of the research to support the medicinal use of ''E. senticosus'' is in Russian or Korean. ''E. senticosus'' contains eleutherosides, triterpenoid saponins which are lipophilic and which can fit into [[hormone receptors]]. Supporters of ''E. senticosus'' as medicine claim it possesses a variety of medicinal properties, such as:

*increased endurance
*memory improvement
*anti-inflammatory
*immunogenic
*chemoprotective
*radiological protection

Eleutherococcus senticosis is less tonifying than the true Ginsengs (Panax sp.). It is neutral energetically and so is appropriate for daily use. Taken regularly, it enhances immune function, reduces cortisol levels and inflammatory response, and it promotes improved cognitive and physical performance. In human studies Eleuthero has been successfully used to treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation, angina, hypercholesterolemia, and neurasthenia with headache, insomnia, and poor appetite.<ref>Halstead B, Hood L (1984). ''Eleutherococcus senticosis–Siberian Ginseng'', OHAI. p.7.</ref><ref>Chen JK, Chen TT. ''Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology'', Art of Medicine Press, City of Industry, CA 2004</ref><ref>[David Winston. ''Native American, Chinese, and Ayurvedic Materia
Medica'', HTSBM, pp. 1-1</ref>

The major constituents of ''E. senticosus'' are Ciwujianoside A-E, Eleutheroside B (Syringin), [[Eleutherosides]] A-M, Friedelin and Isofraxidin.<ref name="Winston">Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “'''Adaptogens''': Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.</ref>
Most of the active constituents in ''E. senticosus'' are [[triterpenoid saponins]]. Though all terpenoid compounds have bioactivity in mammals, it is the triterpenes that are most important to the adaptogenic effect. The majority of known triterpenoid compounds in ''E. senticosus'' are found as saponin glycosides which refers to the attachment of various sugar molecules to the triterpene unit. These sugars are usually cleaved off in the gut by bacteria, allowing the aglycone (triterpene) to be absorbed. Saponin glycosides have the characteristic of reducing surface tension of water and will strip the lipids. This allows them insert into cell membranes (Attele et al., 1999) and modify the composition, influence membrane fluidity,<ref>Lee, Jeong-Chae, Jung, Ha-Na, Kim, Jung-Soo, Woo, Won-Hong, Jeong, Woo-Yeal et al., 2003. Selective priming of Th1-mediated antigen-specific immune responses following oral administration of mixed prescriptions of traditional Korean medicines. Clinica Chimica Acta, 329, 133-142</ref> and potentially affect signaling by many ligands and cofactors.<ref>Lindsey, Keith, Pullen, Margaret L. and Topping, Jennifer F., 2003. Importance of plant sterols in pattern formation and hormone signalling. Trends in Plant Science, 8(11), 521-525</ref><ref>[http://www.rrreading.com/publications.html]Robyn Klein ''Masters Thesis Paper, May 2004, Montana State University, Dept Plant Sciences & Plant Pathology: Phylogenetic and phytochemical characteristics of plant species with adaptogenic properties''</ref>

== Interactions and side effects ==

*People with medicated high blood pressure should consult their doctor before taking ''E. senticosus'' as it may reduce their need for medication.
*''E. senticosus'' may cause light sleep in some people, principally those who are "wired". Users are recommended not to take it in the evening.
*''E. senticosus'' will enhance the effectiveness of micene class antibiotics.
*''E. senticosus'' when purchased from non-[[Good Manufacturing Practice|GMP]] sources has occasionally been adulterated with [[Periploca]] which can potentiate [[digoxin]] or similar drugs: however this is not an interaction of ''E. senticosus''.<ref name="Winston">Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “'''ADAPTOGENS''': Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007.</ref>

==References and external links==
<references/>
* Brunner, R., Tabachnik, B. (1990). Soviet Training and Recovery Methods, pp.217-21. Sport Focus Publishing.
* Bohn, B., Nebe, C.T. and Birr, C. (1987). Flow Cytometric Studies with ''Eleutherococcus senticosus'' extract as an Immunomodulating Agent. ''Drug Res''. 37(10): 1193-1196.
*[http://www.wholehealthmd.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=17E09E7CFFF640448FFB0B4FC1B7FEF0&nm=Reference+Library&type=AWHN_Supplements&mod=Supplements&mid=&id=0DC8ED69766246FB915CCDE7DD755848&tier=2 Siberian ginseng article]
* [http://www.allnatural.net/herbpages/eleuthero.shtml Eleuthero article]
* http://dmd.aspetjournals.org/cgi/content/full/31/5/519
* [http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/GinsengSiberianch.html University of Maryland Alternative Medicine Reference]
* [http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/alt/ginseng_sib_faq.htm Siberian Ginseng (''Eleutherococcus senticosus'')]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed&cmd=Retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=15507373&query_hl=1&itool=pubmed_docsum Effects of various ''Eleutherococcus senticosus'' cortex on swimming time, natural killer activity and corticosterone level in forced swimming stressed mice.]
* Saleeby, J. P. "Wonder Herbs: A Guide to Three Adaptogens", Xlibris, 2006. (The second chapter is dedicated to Eleuthero.)
* Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “ADAPTOGENS: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007. Contains Russian research on ''E. senticosus'' and a monograph on the herb.

[[Category:Araliaceae]]
[[Category:Herbs]]
[[Category:Medicinal plants]]

Eleutherococcus senticosus - Revision history

Envoy at 06:09, 14 October 2007