Ilex pubescens.   毛 冬 青 Máo dōng qīng    Rough haired Holly   
PART USED: Root
Nature- cold   FLAVOR: Bitter, harsh
FUNCTIONS
1. Cool blood, activate blood, facilitate channels, heal inflammation, counteract toxic effects. [1]
INDICATIONS
1. Coronary heart disease, thrombovasculitis, burns.[1]
PREPARATIONS: Dried root 60-120 g.[1]
    
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Research

Triterpenoid saponins with anti-inflammatory activities from Ilex pubescens roots.
Wu P, Gao H, Liu JX, Liu L, Zhou H, Liu ZQ.
Abstract
Seven triterpenoid saponins, named ilexsaponin I-O, along with twelve known ones, were isolated from the roots of Ilex pubescens. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by use of extensive spectroscopic methods (IR, HR-ESI-MS, and 1D and 2D NMR). Sugar residues obtained after acid hydrolysis were identified by TLC and HPLC. The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of the triterpenoid saponins were also evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Among the isolated saponins, seven compounds were shown to inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by suppressing the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), respectively, in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Ilexsaponin I and β-d-glucopyranosyl 3-β-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)-β-d-glucopyranosyloxy]-olea-12-en-28-oate exerted more potent anti-inflammatory effects than the other compounds tested.
PMID: 27912969 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.11.012
Phytochemistry. 2017 Feb;134:122-132. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2016.11.012. Epub 2016 Nov 30. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Neuroprotective effect of total flavonoids from Ilex pubescens against focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats
Fang, Xiaoyan ; Li, Yujie ; Qiao, Jingyi ; Guo, Ying ; Miao, Mingsan
Description:
 Ilex pubescens is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, such as coronary artery disease and stroke. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of Ilex pubescens total flavonoids (IPTF) on neuroprotection and the potential mechanisms in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Rats were pretreated with intragastric administration of IPTF at doses of 200 and 100 mg/kg for 5 days; middle cerebral artery occlusion surgery was then performed to induce cerebral I/R injury. Neurological deficits were determined using the 5-point neurological function score evaluation system, brain infarct sizes were determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining and alterations in brain histology were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The neurological deficit score, the infarcted area and the brain tissue pathological injury were significantly reduced when the rats were pretreated with IPTF. In addition, inflammatory mediators and neurotrophic factors in the brain were investigated. IPTF pretreatment decreased the activities of total nitric oxide synthase (TNOS), induced NOS (iNOS) and constitutive NOS (cNOS), and the levels of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), however, it increased the levels of IL-10 in brain tissues. Furthermore, pretreatment with IPTF also increased the protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor, when compared with the model group. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that IPTF has a neuroprotective effect against focal cerebral I/R injury in rats. The mechanism may be associated with the decreased production of certain proinflammatory cytokines including NO, IL-1β, TNF-α, TNOS, iNOS and cNOS, the increased production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and the increased secretion of neurotrophic factors.
Subjects: Articles ; Total Flavonoids ; Focal Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury ; Neuroprotection ; Inflammatory Cytokine ; Neurotrophic Factor
Identifier: ISSN: 1791-2997 ; E-ISSN: 1791-3004 ; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7540 ; PMCID: 5865877 ; PMID: 28944915
Molecular Medicine Reports, 2017, Vol.16(5), p.7439-7449 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov