Euryale ferox.  芡 Qiàn   Prickly waterlily   Family: Nymphaeaceae     Navigation Back Herb Home Home Page

Preparations Seed Stems Roots Leaves

Euryale ferox  芡實  Qiàn shí    Dry ripe seed  
    FLAVOR: Sweet, pleasant, acrid  CHANNEL: Spleen, Kidney
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Hemostatic and Astringent
1. Strengthen the Kidney to stop seminal emission.^[1] Solidify semen.
2. Strengthen the Spleen to relieve diarrhea.^[1]
3. Resolve Dampness to relieve leukorrhea.
INDICATIONS
1. Kidney deficiency manifested as nocturnal emission. Frequent micturition.^[1,2,3] Enuresis. Whitish and turbid urine.  Leukorrhagia. Incontinence of urine, seminal emission.^[1]  Joint pains in the lower extremities and backache. Seminal emission.
2. Spleen deficiency diarrhea.^[1] Leukorrhea.^[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Insecurity of the Kidney Qi. Kidney: Secures the Kidney and constricts the Jing Lotus & Astragalus seed- Jin suo gu jing wan.
- Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency with stagnation of food and Dampness: Strengthens the spleen and Stomach, eliminates the Damp Retention and improves the digestion Ginseng, Dioscorea & Coix- Zi sheng wan.
PREPARATIONS:
Seed- Decoction.  Dry ripe seed 10-15 g.^[2,3]  Decoction - Seeds 6-12 g.^[1]

DESCRIPTION:

Research

Antioxidant activity of extracts from Euryale ferox seed.
Lee SE, Ju EM, Kim JH.
Abstract
Euryale ferox has been widely used in traditional oriental medicine to treat a variety of illness. However, very little is known about the cellular actions by which this plant mediates its therapeutic effects. Various aspects of antioxidant activity were evaluated in total extracts and fractions derived from Euryale ferox. Total extracts (IC50 5.6 microg/ml) showed relatively high level radical scavenging activity toward 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and also enhanced viability of Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells under exposure to oxidative agents. Upon further fractionation, the highest levels of DPPH radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory activities were found in the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions. The ethyl acetate fractions, the butanol fractions, and total extracts of Euryale ferox also dose-dependently enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in V79-4 cells. Of these three antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase activity was most strongly induced. Taken together, our findings show that Euryale ferox contains a significant antioxidant activity and that specific components in the ethyl acetate and butanol fractions may play an important role in mediating these antioxidant properties.
PMID: 12085984 DOI: 10.1038/emm.2002.15 Exp Mol Med. 2002 May 31;34(2):100-6. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of Euryale ferox (Makhana), an herb of aquatic origin, on myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury.
Das S, Der P, Raychaudhuri U, Maulik N, Das DK.
Abstract
Fox nut or gorgon nut (Euryale ferox--Family Nymphaeaceae), popularly known as Makhana, has been widely used in traditional oriental medicine to cure a variety of diseases including kidney problems, chronic diarrhea, excessive leucorrhea and hypofunction of the spleen. Based on the recent studies revealing antioxidant activities of Euryale ferox and its glucosides composition, we sought to determine if Euryale ferox seeds (Makhana) could reduce myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. Two different models were used: acute model, where isolated rat hearts were preperfused for 15 min with Krebs Henseleit bicarbonate (KHB) buffer containing three different doses of makhana (25, 125 or 250 microg/ml) followed by 30 min of ischemia and 2 h of reperfusion; and chronic model, where rats were given two different doses of makhana (250 and 500 mg/kg/day) for 21 days, after which isolated hearts were subjected to 30 min of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion. In both cases, the hearts of the Makhana treated rats were resistant to ischemic reperfusion injury as evidenced by their improved post-ischemic ventricular function and reduced myocardial infarct size. Antibody array technique was used to identify the cardioprotective proteins. The Makhana-treated hearts had increased amounts of thioredoxin-1 (Trx-1) and thioredoxin-related protein-32 (TRP32) compared to the control hearts. Western blot analysis confirmed increased expression of TRP32 and thioredoxin proteins. In vitro studies revealed that Makhana extracts had potent reactive oxygen species scavenging activities. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate cardioprotective properties of Makhana and suggest that such cardioprotective properties may be linked with the ability of makhana to induce TRP32 and Trx-1 proteins and to scavenge ROS.
PMID: 16628469 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-006-9147-1 Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Sep;289(1-2):55-63. Epub 2006 Apr 21. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cellular Anti-Melanogenic Effects of a Euryale ferox Seed Extract Ethyl Acetate Fraction via the Lysosomal Degradation Machinery.
Baek SH, Nam IJ, Kwak HS, Kim KC, Lee SH.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethyl acetate fraction of Euryale ferox seed extracts (Efse-EA) on melanogenesis in immortalized mouse melanocyte cell line, melan-a. Efse-EA showed strong dose-dependent mushroom tyrosinase inhibitory activity. Treatment of melan-a cells with 30 μg/mL Efse-EA produced strong inhibition of cellular tyrosinase and melanin synthesis. Efse-EA significantly reduced the levels of melanogenesis-related proteins, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 1 and 2, and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor. Because Efse-EA treatment reduced tyrosinase protein levels without changing its mRNA expression, we investigated whether this decrease was related to proteasomal or lysosomal degradation of tyrosinase. We found that chloroquine, a lysosomal proteolysis inhibitor, almost completely abolished both the down-regulation of tyrosinase and the inhibition of melanin synthesis induced by Efse-EA. These results suggested that Efse-EA may contribute to the inhibition of melanogenesis by altering lysosomal degradation of tyrosinase, and that this extract may provide a new cosmetic skin-whitening agent.
PMID: 25915032 PMCID: PMC4463586 DOI: 10.3390/ijms16059217 Int J Mol Sci. 2015 Apr 23;16(5):9217-35. doi: 10.3390/ijms16059217. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Isolation and identification of compounds responsible for antioxidant capacity of Euryale ferox seeds.
Song CW, Wang SM, Zhou LL, Hou FF, Wang KJ, Han QB, Li N, Cheng YX.
Abstract
Euryale ferox seed is consumed medicinally or for food in China. The present study revealed it to contain significant antioxidant activity, which may be associated with its medical applications as a proteinuria inhibitor of diabetic nephropathy. This study resulted in the identification of 3 new sesquineolignans, named euryalins A-C (1-3), and 16 known compounds, which were all first isolated from this plant apart from 5,7,4-trihydroxy-flavanone. The antioxidant potential of the partial isolates was evaluated using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and mesangial cellular assay. Compounds 2, rel-(2α,3β)-7-O-methylcedrusin (4), syringylglycerol-8-O-4-(sinapyl alcohol) ether (5), and (+)-syringaresinol (7) were found to be most active on DPPH assay, whereas compounds 2, 4, 7, (1R,2R,5R,6S)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo[3.3.0]octane, and buddlenol E could significantly inhibit high glucose-stimulated reactive oxygen species production in mesangial cells. The results suggested that E. ferox seed could be considered as an excellent source of natural antioxidants and is useful in the prevention of diabetic nephropathy.
PMID: 21280632 DOI: 10.1021/jf1041933 J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Feb 23;59(4):1199-204. doi: 10.1021/jf1041933. Epub 2011 Jan 31.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antioxidant and anti-fatigue activities of phenolic extract from the seed coat of Euryale ferox Salisb. and identification of three phenolic compounds by LC-ESI-MS/MS.
Wu C, Chen R, Wang XS, Shen B, Yue W, Wu Q.
Abstract
This study investigated the antioxidant potential and anti-fatigue effects of phenolics extracted from the seed coat of Euryale ferox Salisb. The in vitro antioxidant potentials, including scavenging DPPH, hydroxyl radical activities and reducing power were evaluated. Antioxidant status in vivo was analyzed by SOD, CAT, GSH-Px activities and the MDA content in liver and kidneys of D-galactose-induced aging mice. The anti-fatigue effect was evaluated using an exhaustive swimming test, along with the determination of LDH, BUN and HG content. The phenolic extract possessed notable antioxidant effects on DPPH, hydroxyl radical scavenging and reducing power. The mice which received the phenolic extract showed significant increases of SOD, CAT (except for in the kidney), GSH-Px activities, and a decrease of MDA content. The average exhaustive swimming time was obviously prolonged. Meanwhile, increase of LDH content and decrease of BUN content were observed after mice had been swimming for 15 min. The HG storage of mice was improved in the high and middle dose extract groups compared with the normal group. The contents of total phenols and gallic acid of the extract were determined. Three compounds in the extract were identified as 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(3,4,5-trihydroxyphenyl)-chroman-4-one, 5,7,4-trihydroxyflavanone and buddlenol E. These results suggest that the extract of E. ferox is a promising source of natural antioxidants and anti-fatigue material for use in functional foods and medicines.
PMID: 24022762 DOI: 10.3390/molecules180911003 Molecules. 2013 Sep 9;18(9):11003-21. doi: 10.3390/molecules180911003. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antidiabetic, antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic effect of extract of Euryale ferox salisb. with enhanced histopathology of pancreas, liver and kidney in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Ahmed D, Kumar V, Verma A, Shukla GS, Sharma M.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Ethanolic extract of Euryale ferox salisb. (EFx) may have an effect on the activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes, glycemic control and lipid profile and histopathology of pancreas, liver and kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic wistar rats.
METHODS:
Wistar albino rats were divided into eight groups viz. non-diabetic (normal control), diabetic control (STZ-induced), diabetic treated (infused with different doses of Euryale ferox. Salisb. ethanolic extract) and diabetic conventional treated (treated with Glibenclamide). Diabetes was induced by administering streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight) intraperitoneal (i.p). The ethanolic extract was supplemented in different doses through oral route. Biochemical investigations were carried out according to previously reported methods. Histopathological examinations were done accordingly.
RESULTS:
The EFx supplemented diabetic rats significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the blood glucose level in a dose dependent manner. Plasma insulin level was significantly increased in EFx treated rats. The hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes activities were restored to normal in EFx treated rats. Activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were significantly increased (p < 0.001) among EFx treated rats. Lipid profile was reinstated to nearly normal level among EFx treated rats. Histopathological investigations revealed that microscopic architecture of pancreatic, hepatic and renal cells improvised in EFx treated diabetic rats.
CONCLUSION:
EFx supplement could improve the glycemic control as well as lipid profile in diabetic rats along with improvised antioxidant enzymes which has beneficial effect in preventing the diabetic complications by scavenging the free radicals in diabetic rats.
PMID: 26155454 PMCID: PMC4489967 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1059-7 Springerplus. 2015 Jul 3;4:315. doi: 10.1186/s40064-015-1059-7. eCollection 2015. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of polysaccharides from the petioles and pedicels of Euryale ferox Salisb. on alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice.
Wu CY, Wang H, He XX, Wu DW, Yue W, Wu QN.
Abstract
The present study investigated the potential hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of polysaccharides extracted from the petioles and pedicels of Euryale ferox Salisb. (EFPP) on alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. The EFPP had a total carbohydrate of 65.72 ± 2.81%, uronic acid of 4.56 ± 0.62% and protein of 0.58 ± 0.12%, with an average molecular weight from 1.02 kDa to 11.45 kDa and monosaccharide composition of Man, GlcA, Rha, Glc, Gal and Ara at a molar ratio of 0.12 : 0.01 : 9.57 :  0.41 : 1.00 : 0.24. Administration with EFPP, especially high dose EFPP, was beneficial to reverse body weight loss, reduce blood glucose levels, enhance serum insulin levels, improve oral glucose tolerance, increase hepatic glycogen content and GCK activity, and modulate the mRNA expression of GCK in the liver. Meanwhile, EFPP had protective effects against alloxan-induced oxidative injury in mice, via increasing the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px and decreasing the MDA contents in the liver and kidney of the mice. EFPP ameliorated the damage in pancreas, kidney and liver tissues, which was confirmed by histopathological observation. The results suggested that EFPP possess hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities, and could be a potential source of natural hypoglycemic and antioxidant agents for functional foods or complementary medicines.PMID: 28967662 DOI: 10.1039/c7fo01035d Food Funct. 2017 Oct 18;8(10):3803-3813. doi: 10.1039/c7fo01035d. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

2β-hydroxybetulinic acid 3β-caprylate: an active principle from Euryale Ferox Salisb. seeds with antidiabetic, antioxidant, pancreas & hepatoprotective potential in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
Ahmed D, Sharma M, Kumar V, Bajaj HK, Verma A.
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the glycemic control, antioxidant, pancreas and liver protective effect of 2β-hydroxybetulinic acid 3β-caprylate (HBAC) from Euryale ferox Salisb. seeds on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The active principle was isolated from Euryale ferox Salisb. seeds extract by utilizing chromatographic techniques. The rats were divided into seven experimental groups: Gp 1-normal; Gp2- normal + HBAC (60 mg/kg p.o.); Gp3- diabetic control; Gp 4- Diabetic + HBAC (20 mg/kg p.o.); Gp5- Diabetic + HBAC (40 mg/kg p.o.); Gp6- Diabetic + HBAC (60 mg/kg p.o.) and Gp 7- Diabetic + Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg p.o.). Biochemical estimation, free radical scavenging examination and histopathological study was performed at the end of experimentation i.e. on 28th day. The active principle isolated and identified with spectral data as 2β-hydroxybetulinic acid 3β-caprylate (HBAC). It was detected for the first time that HBAC has improvised the glycemic control in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, it is remarkable to note that it exhibited excellent free radical scavenging property and pancreas and hepatoprotective property as well, supported by histopathological examination. One of the mechanisms of action of HBAC appears to be stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic β-cells. HBAC improved the glycemic control, reduced the free radical activity along with corrected glycemic control, lipid profile, and enhanced level of insulin alongh with improvement in pancreas and hepatoprotective architecture. Considering the above results, HBAC shows potential to develop a medicine for diabetes as combinatorial or mono-therapy.
PMID: 26344959 PMCID: PMC4554643 DOI: 10.1007/s13197-014-1676-0 J Food Sci Technol. 2015 Sep;52(9):5427-41. doi: 10.1007/s13197-014-1676-0. Epub 2014 Dec 10. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hypoglycemic effect of triterpenoid-rich extracts from Euryale ferox shell on normal and streptozotocin-diabetic mice.
Yuan H, Meng S, Wang G, Gong Z, Sun W, He G.
Abstract
The antioxidant effects of the triterpenoid-rich extracts from Euryale ferox shell (ES) have been confirmed in vitro. This study examined whether the triterpenoid-rich extract from ES eases human hyperglycemia and diabetes caused by metabolic disorders. Normal and streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were used as controls for the four groups that received the triterpenoid-rich extracts of ES suspended in distilled water orally at doses of 200, 300, 400, 500±2 mg/L. Body weight, blood glucose and pancreatic tissue morphology were observed after 4 weeks. The expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP1B) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS-1) proteins, which are related to the regulation of glucose metabolism in vivo, were also investigated. Compared with the model group (LD50 900±2 mg/L), it was found that the triterpenoid-rich extracts of ES could regulate glucose metabolism (P<0.01) and cause body weight to return to normal levels (P<0.05). Islet morphology recovered well, the expression of the negative regulation protein PTP1B gene was reduced and insulin receptor IRS-1 protein expression was increased. These data prove that the triterpenoid-rich extracts from ES have a therapeutic effect on diabetes by insulin resistance.
PMID: 25015452 Pak J Pharm Sci. 2014 Jul;27(4):859-64. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov