The dried roots: irregularly cylindrical, conical or spindle-shaped, frequently branched in the lower part; 3-15cm long and 1-2cm in diameter; the surface is black-brown or gray-yellow, the stalks and fibrous foliage are found on the root, and the root has tightly closing ring lines in the upper part.
Consistency is soft and supple, the dried drug has a hard consistency. Slightly breakable with uneven, pale yellowish-white rupture; brown oil-chambers are visible in the bark; brown cambium and radial rays.
Aromatic odor;
Taste slightly bitter and sharp

Peucedanum, Radix - Masterwort Root - QUAN HU
Dose: 10-30 g/day

In the TCM sources, the peucedanum, which belongs to the dill-like plants, appears as an important
agent against tough mucus, whether it is in the case of asthma or in the case of hot infections.
The studies reveal a distinctly different picture. According to them, peucedanum is a means in
metabolic syndrome, ie hypertension, obesity, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. In addition, it has a
strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cramping effect.

1. Nocturia
2. Asthma
3. Huntington's Chorea
4. Kidney stones
5. Diabetes
6. Obesity
7. Cramps
8. Arteriosclerosis
9. Hyperlipidemia
10. Edema
11. Left heart hypertrophy
12. Hypertension
 

1.      Nocturia

Clinical Effects of Formulated Food of Peucedanum japonicum Extract and Saw Palmetto Extract in Male Patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

Food formulated with P. japonicum extract and SPE may be useful to decrease frequency of nighttime urination and residual urine volume in male patients with LUTS.

2.        Asthma

• Reduced allergic lung inflammation by root extracts from two species of Peucedanum through inhibition of Th2 cell activation.

Our findings indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of PRE arise from reduced Th2 cell activation and validate the clinical use of PR in traditional Korean medicine.

• Effects of (±)-praeruptorin A on airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and NF-κB signaling pathway in a mouse model of allergic airway disease.

Compared with model group, PA significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness and airway eosinophilic inflammation, improved pathologic lesion of the lungs, reduced levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and LTC₄ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and immunoglobulin (Ig) E in serum, and inhibited eotaxin protein and mRNA expression, IκBα degradation, NF-κB nuclear translocation, NF-κB DNA-binding activity and RelA/p65 phosphorylation in lung, which suggested that PA can significantly suppress OVA-induced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice, showing great therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic asthma.

• Attenuation of airway hyperreactivity and T helper cell type 2 responses by coumarins from Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn in a murine model of allergic airway inflammation.

CPPD can significantly suppress OVA-induced airway inflammation, airway hyperreactivity and Th2 predominant response in mice, showing great therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic asthma.
 

3.        Chorea Huntington

Effect of Praeruptorin C on 3-nitropropionic acid induced Huntington's disease-like symptoms in mice

These results taken together suggest that Pra-C may have therapeutic potential with respect to the movement, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms of HD.

4.        Kidney stones

Antilithiatic effect of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke in chemically induced urolithiasis in rats.

Test drug reduced number of CaOx crystals in urine (p<0.001); levels of serum calcium, phosphorus, creatinine, (p<0.001) urea, (p<0.05); urinary calcium (p<0.001) and sodium decreased significantly in standard and test groups. On the basis of above findings, it can be concluded that the test drug possesses significant antiurolithiatic activity.

5.       Diabetes

Anti-adipogenic and anti-diabetic effects of cis-3',4'-diisovalerylkhellactone isolated from Peucedanum japonicum Thunb leaves in vitro.

cDIVK significantly increased AMPK activation and suppressed protein and mRNA expression of major adipogenic transcriptional factors such as C/EBPα, PPARγ and SREBP-1c in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, cDIVK had potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These results indicated that cDIVK may act as a natural dual therapeutic agent for diabetes and obesity.
 

6.      Obesity

• Anti-adipogenic and anti-diabetic effects of cis-3',4'-diisovalerylkhellactone isolated from Peucedanum japonicum Thunb leaves in vitro.

cDIVK significantly increased AMPK activation and suppressed protein and mRNA expression of major adipogenic transcriptional factors such as C/EBPα, PPARγ and SREBP-1c in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, cDIVK had potential α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These results indicated that cDIVK may act as a natural dual therapeutic agent for diabetes and obesity.

• Pteryxin: a coumarin in Peucedanum japonicum Thunb leaves exerts antiobesity activity through modulation of adipogenic gene network.

Our study demonstrated that pteryxin in PJT plays the key role in regulating the lipid metabolism-related gene network and improving energy production in vitro. Thus, the results suggest pteryxin as a new natural compound to be used as an antiobesity drug in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Effect of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb extract on high-fat diet-induced obesity and gene expression in mice.

This finding clearly demonstrates the presence of anti-obesity phytochemicals in PJT. Ethanol extract of PJT inhibited lipase activity in vitro. Modulation of gene expression by PJT ethanol extract was largely similar to that by PJT powder in the hepatic and adipose tissues: RORC and PBEF1 were upregulated and DUSP1, INSIG2, and SERPINA12 were downregulated in the liver; FXRα and PPARγ were upregulated and PEG1/MEST, the size-marker of adipocytes, was downregulated in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, PJT ethanol extract increased the expression of the UCP3 gene in muscle. These results suggest that the anti-obesity phytochemicals in PJT lower lipid levels by inhibiting fat absorption and by modulating obesity-related gene expression in the liver, adipose tissue, and muscle.

• Effect of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb on the expression of obesity-related genes in mice on a high-fat diet.

These changes were indicative of increased fatty acid oxidation in the maintenance of lipid homeostasis and insulin sensitivity in the livers of PJT-fed mice. PJT increased the expression of PPARγ, FXRα, DGAT1, and ATGL genes, suggesting an enhancement of adipocyte differentiation and normalization of functionality of adipose tissue.

7.        Cramps

Evaluation of anti-spasmodic effect of Peucedanum pastinacifolium extracts on rat's ileum

From these experiments it was concluded that both hydroalcoholic and hexanoic extract of P. pastinacifolium contain substances which have antispasmodic activities but these substances are mainly concentrated in the hexanoic extract.

8.       Arteriosclerosis

Identification of ostruthin from Peucedanum ostruthium rhizomes as an inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.

This extract inhibited serum (10%)-induced VSMC proliferation concentration dependently. Further identification and biological testing of its major constituents revealed that the coumarin ostruthin (7) is the major antiproliferative substance. In summary, a new bioactivity of P. ostruthium rhizomes is described, and 7 has been identified as the responsible compound.

9.        Hyperlipidemia

Antihyperlipidemic effect of peucedanum pastinacifolium extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The results show that there were significant (P < 0.05) increases in total serum cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with PPE over a period of a month returned these levels close to control levels.

10.        Edema

Antiphlogistic and antipyretic activity of Peucedanum ostruthium.

30 micrograms/kg of this compound inhibited the formation of edema to an extent of 50%. On the perfused rabbit ear and on polymorphonuclear leukocytes the extract and the active compound have been characterized as dual inhibitors of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase activities.

11.       Left heart hypertrophy

Effects of Peucedanum praeruptorum extractum on blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy and hemodynamic changes in left ventricular hypertrophied hypertensive rats

The PPE could still prevent the formation of the left ventricular hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats, the ratio of weight of left ventricular over the weight of body was reduced markedly than that of the LVH group, and was nearly the same of the sham-operated group. The PPE could improve both the systolic and diastolic function than that of the LVH group in the isolated heart, especially, the flow of the coronary artery was increased significantly.

12.      Hypertension

Effects of Peucedanum praeruptorum extractum on blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy and hemodynamic changes in left ventricular hypertrophied hypertensive rats

The PPE could still prevent the formation of the left ventricular hypertrophy in renovascular hypertensive rats, the ratio of weight of left ventricular over the weight of body was reduced markedly than that of the LVH group, and was nearly the same of the sham-operated group. The PPE could improve both the systolic and diastolic function than that of the LVH group in the isolated heart, especially, the flow of the coronary artery was increased significantly.

Effect

In the folklore as a substitute for Angelica archangelica. Pills, powders, decoys, infusions or ointments were made from the roots, which were used as a universal remedy for bronchial catarrh, asthma, delirium tremens, contagious diseases, epilepsy, wound treatment, stomach complaints, counter-poison, watery or toothache. Mostly, however, as an aromatic Stomachicum and Sedativum.

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