THE

HEMATOPOIETIC SYSTEM

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 HERBS PROMOTING
BLOOD FORMATION

Chinese herbal practitioners use the term "hollowness of the blood", to refer to
a number of conditions, including anemia, hemorrhage, and many disorders
involving the blood or originating from the heart, liver, spleen, kidney, or bone
marrow. Such "hollowness" or weakness is often seen in gynecological problems
such as menstrual irregularity, and in infectious diseases. The signs or symptoms
described as "hollowness" are the loss of facial color, lack of freshness and
brightness, dizziness, and heart palpitations.
The herbs described in this chapter are used to combat such illness, to produce
an antianemic effect, and to promote leukocyte formation.

Gelatin from the skin of the ass, Equus asinus (Equidae)

Chemistry: The major components are the hydrolysis products of gelatin, amino
acids. and CaZ+ion.

Actions: Recent clinical trials in China reported that this "herb" exhibits several
actions. The primary action is hematopoiesis. It stimulates the formation of red
blood cells and hemoglobin in the bone marrow. It is effective in the treatment
of hemorrhagic anemia. In addition, it has a hemostatic effect, but does not change
clotting times. It improves the muscle tissue regeneration.
The herb also has an effect on Ca2+metabolism. It increases intestinal absorp-
tion of CaZ+and decreases urinary excretion of Ca2+.

Therapeutic Uses: According to Ben Cao Kong Mu, EJiao can arrest bleeding in
cases of hematuria, hematemesis, bloody stool, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum
bleeding. It was claimed that EJiao can treat all kinds of Feng or "wind"-related
illness, which were believed to be caused by climate or allergy, and occurs in
both sexes. It is also used to treat joint pain, edema, asthma, and septicemia.

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 This herb is given in doses of 6 to 9 g, dissolved in wine or water and taken
daily. This was recommended to improve blood tone, arrest bleeding, replenish
vital essence, and "moisten" the lungs.

JIXUE TENG (d$&j&)

The dried stem of Spatholobus suberectus Dunn. (Leguminosae)

Chemistry: The major components are friedelin, taraxerone, and other alcoholic
derivatives.

Actions: The herb can slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure. The water-
based decoction of ji Xue Teng can stimulate rhythmic contractions of the uterus.
Large doses can cause a convulsive contraction. It is antibacterial, especially against
staphylococci.

Therapeutic Uses: Traditional Chinese medicine prescribed the herb to improve

blood tone and activate blood flow, and to relieve rigidity of muscles and joints.
It is used in leukopenia, and malnutritional or hemorrhagic anemia.
The standard dose of this herb is 60 to 120 g made into a decoction and taken
daily. It is also prepared in the form of a syrup (2 g/ml), administered in doses
of 10 to 20 ml t.i.d., or in the form of 1-6 tablets, taken in doses of 4 to 8 tablets t.i.d.

Fruit of glossy privet, from Ligustrum lucidum Ait.

Chemistry: The fruit contains the glycoside nuzhenide, oleanolic acid, and ursolic
acid.

Actions: The herb has been observed to increase leukocyte count. It is a cardiac
tonic and diuretic. In addition, it exhibits antibacterial effect. The herb has
antitumor effect via augmentation of phagocyte and lymphokine-activated killer
cells activity.'

Therapeutic Uses: Nu Zhen Zi is used in the treatment of leukopenia, chronic

bronchitis, and acute dystery. The Chinese pharmacopoeia also recommended it
to improve the tone of the kidneys, replenish the vital essence, nourish the liver,
and improve visual acuity.
The herb is generally administered as a decoction of either 60 g of the bark
or 90 g of the leaf; taken 3 times a day for 10 consecutive days.

The dried tuberus root of Stephania cepharentura Hayata

Chemistry: The root contains several alkaloids, including cepharanthine, cycleam-

ine, isotetrandrine, berbamine, and cepharamine.

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 Actions: The herb has been observed to stimulate leukocyte format~onin bone
marrow, and to promote regeneration of red blood cells and hemoglobin. It has
antibacterial effects, especially against the tubercular bacillus. It is an antitoxin
effective against tetanus and diphthera toxins. In addition, it promotes muscle
relaxation.
The active principle of this herb is the alkaloid, cepharanthine, which acts o n
human B cells as an immunomodulating agent and potentiates the bactericidal
effect of metylglyoxal-Bis on Staphylococcus a u r e ~ s . ~
Cepharanthine can partially reverse vincristine-resistance in human glioma
cells,' and enhance the therapeutic effect of 5FU by increasing 5FU content in
cancer cells.4
A combination of cepharanthine and minoxidil exhibits a direct stimulating
effect on cell proliferation and delayed initiation of differentiation and keratini-
zation of skin cells.5

Therapeutic Uses: The herb is used to treat leukopenia, acute hepatitis, bacterial
dysentery, epidemic parotitis, and neurodermatitis. It is also prescribed in cases
of bleeding and blood stasis.
The standard dose is 40 mg of cepharanthin, taken either orally or by intra-
venous iniection

REFERENCES
1. Abe, T. et al., Br j Cancel; 72, 410, 1995.
2. Hibasami, H. et al., Chemotherapy, 38, 107, 1992.
3. Lau, B.H. et al., Cancer Biother, 9 , 153, 1994.
4. Tanaka, N. et al., In Mvo, 8, 309, 1994.
5. Tanigaki-Oband, N. and Ito, M., Arch. Dermatol Rex, 284, 290, 1992

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