Leuzea (=Rhaponticum) carthemoides D.C. or Maral root
It is a Siberian medicinal plant which is very popular in Eastern Europe and
Russia as an adaptogen and is receiving wide attention recently in the west as a
body building aid.
Scientific literature:
There are over 800 sites for this species on the internet and Sci finder lists
over 100 published articles in scientific journals, mostly in Russian. The
Russian literature about the plant is positive but unfortunately only four
articles in internationally peer reviewed journals are available that might be
acceptable to regulators in G8 countries.
Indications
It is reputed to have adaptogenic properties and is indicated for fatigue,
memory loss, to improve physical strength and activity, for sexual dysfunction.
Preparations:
Roots are most commonly used and are prepared as an alcohol tincture, but
tablets and drinks are also available.
On the plate must appear spots of cherry color on the level of aralozide spots
in saparal. It is allowed to have additional spots both of cherry and other
colors.
Constituents:
The main constitutent is 20 hydroxy -ecdysone which is found in leaf
(0.01-0.1%), seed (2%) and root (0.1-0.2%). This is an insect hormone that is
produced by a number of plants as a growth disrupting defence against insect
herbivores. A second type of ecdysteroid, 24(24(l))[Z]-dehydroamarasterone B I
has recently been isolated from seeds. There are a number of flavonoids and the
plant also contains thiophenic polyynes that are characteristic of the
Asteraceae.
Pharmacology:
The one peer reviewed international paper on biological activity shows that 20
hydroxy-ecdysone isolated from Leuzea and fed to quails increased the body mass
in a dose dependent manner. The effects of the purified compound were similar to
the effects of the compound administered as seed. Other Russian literature
suggests that Leuzea extracts administered for 20 days increased treadmill work
capacity of animals and the time of swimming to exhaustion. Three weeks of
administration of Leuzea to adult humans undertaking aerobic training reduced
body fat significantly. Other affects on the immune system are also reported.
Conclusion:
Leuzea or Maral root is a promising plant which may have a large market
opportunity.
Summary by
© 2002
J.Arnason, PhD
Univ. of Ottawa
J. Thor Arnason
U. of Ottawa
for Andy One
KeyHerbs.com
The case sensitive password herbalist must be somewhere in subject:
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