Dong Quai - NutraPedia

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Dong Quai Overview

1) Studied Conditions

Dong Quai, also known as Angelica sinensis, has been studied for a variety of conditions. Most notably, it has been researched for its potential effects on:

  • Menstrual cramps
  • Pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS)
  • Menopausal symptoms
  • Anemia
  • Hypertension
  • Arthritis
  • And other conditions related to inflammation and pain.

2) Efficacy in Treating Conditions

The effectiveness of Dong Quai in treating these conditions is mixed and often inconclusive due to limited and varying quality of research. While some studies suggest potential benefits, particularly for menopausal symptoms and menstrual discomfort, other studies have not shown significant effects. Therefore, more research is needed before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

3) Health Benefits

Dong Quai is believed to provide several health benefits, including:

  • Alleviating menstrual and menopausal symptoms
  • Reducing inflammation
  • Improving circulation
  • Boosting energy and possibly helping with anemia
  • Possessing some antioxidant properties

4) Potential Downsides

Despite its purported benefits, Dong Quai may have downsides, such as:

  • Potential interaction with blood-thinning medications
  • Photosensitivity, increasing the risk of sunburn
  • Estrogen-like effects, which could be problematic for hormone-sensitive conditions
  • Gastrointestinal issues or allergic reactions in some individuals
  • Limited and inconclusive evidence on safety and efficacy

5) Implications for Genetic Variations

Currently, there is limited research specifically addressing the impact of Dong Quai on different genetic variations. As with any supplement, responses can vary depending on individual genetic makeup, but more targeted studies would be required to determine if Dong Quai is particularly beneficial or harmful for certain genetic profiles. Individuals considering Dong Quai should consult with a healthcare provider, especially if they have a known genetic condition or are on medication.

Dong Quai (Angelica gigas) Research Summary

Memory and Cognitive Effects

INM-176, an ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas, showed potential in reversing cognitive deficits in mice models of Alzheimer's disease. It inhibits acetylcholinesterase activity, protects against cholinergic neuronal damage, and reduces brain inflammation, suggesting it could be a treatment for memory impairment related to Alzheimer's.

Anti-Cancer Potential

Studies have highlighted the anti-cancer potential of Angelica gigas, especially compounds like decursin and decursinol angelate. These compounds exhibit in vitro anti-tumor effects on various cancers and confirmed in vivo efficacy in mouse models. Further research is needed to understand their pharmacokinetics in humans and their contribution to the overall anti-cancer activity of AGN.

Anti-Allergic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

An ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas (EAG) demonstrated effectiveness in reducing allergy signs, inflammation, and serum inflammatory markers in mice. It suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and interfered with key inflammation pathways, suggesting potential as a treatment for inflammatory and allergic diseases.

Addiction Treatment

Essential oil from Angelica gigas NAKAI showed promise in reducing nicotine addiction behaviors and modulating dopamine release in rats, indicating potential as a treatment for nicotine dependence.

Neuroprotective and Immunostimulatory Effects

Angelica gigas extracts and compounds like angelan have shown neuroprotective properties in models of Alzheimer's and immunostimulatory effects, potentially useful for cancer and autoimmune diabetes treatment.

Herbal Formula Efficacy

Herbal formulations containing Angelica gigas, such as EstroG-100 and HemoHIM, have shown effectiveness in improving menopausal symptoms and anti-inflammatory responses, respectively.

Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism

Research on decursinol and other compounds from Angelica gigas provided insights into their pharmacokinetics, absorption, metabolism, and potential as oral drugs, despite some compounds exhibiting toxicity.

References:


  1. The memory ameliorating effects of INM-176, an ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas, against scopolamine- or Aβ(1-42)-induced cognitive dysfunction in mice
  2. Anti-cancer and other bioactivities of Korean Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) and its major pyranocoumarin compounds
  3. Anti-allergic effects and mechanisms of action of the ethanolic extract of Angelica gigas in dinitrofluorobenzene-induced inflammation models
  4. The essential oil from Angelica gigas NAKAI suppresses nicotine sensitization
  5. Coumarins from the root of Angelica gigas Nakai
  6. In vivo anti-cancer activity of Korean Angelica gigas and its major pyranocoumarin decursin
  7. Decursin: a cytotoxic agent and protein kinase C activator from the root of Angelica gigas
  8. Ethanol extract of Angelica gigas inhibits croton oil-induced inflammation by suppressing the cyclooxygenase - prostaglandin pathway
  9. Metabolite profiling of Angelica gigas from different geographical origins using 1H NMR and UPLC-MS analyses
  10. Coumarins isolated from Angelica gigas inhibit acetylcholinesterase: structure-activity relationships
  11. Polyacetylenes from angelica gigas and their inhibitory activity on nitric oxide synthesis in activated macrophages
  12. Antidiabetic activity of angelan isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai
  13. Immunotoxicity activity from various essential oils of Angelica genus from South Korea against Aedes aegypti L
  14. Potent antiandrogen and androgen receptor activities of an Angelica gigas-containing herbal formulation: identification of decursin as a novel and active compound with implications for prevention and treatment of prostate cancer
  15. The effect of herbal extract (EstroG-100) on pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study
  16. Antiinflammatory activity of an herbal preparation (HemoHIM) in rats
  17. Preventative effect of an herbal preparation (HemoHIM) on development of airway inflammation in mice via modulation of Th1/2 cells differentiation
  18. Protective effect of an herbal preparation (HemoHIM) on radiation-induced intestinal injury in mice
  19. Pharmacokinetic characterization of decursinol derived from Angelica gigas Nakai in rats
  20. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of decursin and decursinol angelate from Angelica gigas Nakai
  21. Single oral dose pharmacokinetics of decursin, decursinol angelate, and decursinol in rats
  22. Quantitative determination of decursin, decursinol angelate, and decursinol in mouse plasma and tumor tissue using liquid-liquid extraction and HPLC
  23. First-pass metabolism of decursin, a bioactive compound of Angelica gigas, in rats
  24. In vitro inhibitory potential of decursin and decursinol angelate on the catalytic activity of cytochrome P-450 1A1/2, 2D15, and 3A12 isoforms in canine hepatic microsomes
  25. Effect of decursinol angelate on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline and its metabolites in rats
  26. Neuroprotective effects of INM-176 against lipopolysaccharide-induced neuronal injury
  27. Decursin Isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai Rescues PC12 Cells from Amyloid β-Protein-Induced Neurotoxicity through Nrf2-Mediated Upregulation of Heme Oxygenase-1: Potential Roles of MAPK
  28. Protective effects of decursin and decursinol angelate against amyloid β-protein-induced oxidative stress in the PC12 cell line: the role of Nrf2 and antioxidant enzymes
  29. Antinociceptive mechanisms of orally administered decursinol in the mouse
  30. The analgesic effect of decursinol
  31. Aberrant production of IL-12 by macrophages from several autoimmune-prone mouse strains is characterized by intrinsic and unique patterns of NF-kappa B expression and binding to the IL-12 p40 promoter
  32. Decursin, an active compound isolated from Angelica gigas, inhibits fat accumulation, reduces adipocytokine secretion and improves glucose tolerance in mice fed a high-fat diet
  33. Ultrafine Angelica gigas powder normalizes ovarian hormone levels and has antiosteoporosis properties in ovariectomized rats: particle size effect
  34. Characteristic immunostimulation by angelan isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai
  35. Differential activation of murine macrophages by angelan and LPS
  36. Activation of NF-kappaB/Rel in angelan-stimulated macrophages
  37. Experimental evidences and signal transduction pathways involved in the activation of NF-kappa B/Rel by angelan in murine macrophages
  38. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways by angelan in murine macrophages
  39. Evaluation of natural products on inhibition of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in cultured mouse macrophage cells
  40. Decursin inhibits induction of inflammatory mediators by blocking nuclear factor-kappaB activation in macrophages
  41. CD4+ T cells regulate CD8+ T cell-mediated cutaneous immune responses by restricting effector T cell development through a Fas ligand-dependent mechanism
  42. Repeated elicitation of contact hypersensitivity induces a shift in cutaneous cytokine milieu from a T helper cell type 1 to a T helper cell type 2 profile
  43. A synthetic decursin analog with increased in vivo stability suppresses androgen receptor signaling in vitro and in vivo
  44. Pectic polysaccharide isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai inhibits melanoma cell metastasis and growth by directly preventing cell adhesion and activating host immune functions
  45. Decursin and Doxorubicin Are in Synergy for the Induction of Apoptosis via STAT3 and/or mTOR Pathways in Human Multiple Myeloma Cells
  46. A novel anticancer agent, decursin, induces G1 arrest and apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells
  47. JNK interacting protein 1 (JIP-1) protects LNCaP prostate cancer cells from growth arrest and apoptosis mediated by 12-0-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)
  48. A New Herbal Formula, KSG-002, Suppresses Breast Cancer Growth and Metastasis by Targeting NF- κ B-Dependent TNF α Production in Macrophages
  49. Synergistic vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects of Ligusticum wallichii and Angelica gigas
  50. Synergistic vasorelaxant and antihypertensive effects of Ligusticum wallichii and Angelica gigas
  51. Physicochemical characterization and toxicity of decursin and their derivatives from Angelica gigas


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