A scientific evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Houttuynia cordata Thunb (Yu xing cao): a case study.

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (Yu xing cao) decoction (a traditional aqueous extract), is widely used in China to treat anti-inflammatory disease [1]. Previous studies have mainly focused on its organic extracts, therefore the study of chemical composition and biological activities of its aqueous extracts is requested. Sixteen samples purchased from Sichuan, Hubei and Anhui in China, prepared into traditional aqueous decoction, methanolic extracts and steam distillates, analysed by NMR, GC-MS and LC-MS. The anti-inflammatory activities of aqueous extracts were studied by in vitro model (TNF-α activated Caco-2 monolayers) and in vivo model (DSS-induced colitis murine model). Inflammation associated mediators (IL-1β, EGFR, MAPK, etc) were evaluated by qPCR, western-blot and ELISA. Results showed chemical difference among 16 H. cordata samples. Aqueous extracts showed anti-intestinal inflammation in vitro via an EGFR dependent MAPK (ERK) 1/2 signaling pathway, and a GMP product from Hubei presented the best effect. The beneficial effect was also seen in vivo at a molecular level within colonic tissues.

In conclusion, aqueous extracts of H. cordata from different geographical regions were shown to be chemically different and resulted in different levels of therapeutic effect. The traditional use of H. cordata decoction to treat inflammatory disease such as IBD is validated.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 December 2021

• References

• 1 Kumar M. A current update on the phytopharmacological aspects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. Pharmacognosy Reviews. 2014 ; 8 (15): p. 22.