Pheretima aspergillum   地龙  Dì lóng   Earthworm      
Pheretima is a genus of earthworms found mostly in New Guinea and parts of Southeast Asia.Species belonging to the genus Pheretima have a clitellum, which is a band of glandular tissue present on segments 14 to 16. The clitellum is a thickened glandular and non-segmented section of the body wall near the head in earthworms and leeches, that secretes a viscid sac in which the eggs are deposited.
Nature: Cold    FLAVOR: Salty
FUNCTIONS
GROUP: Endogenous wind- and Stop Tremors
1. Clear up Heat, relieve convulsion.[2] Clears fevers.[1]
2. Calms spasm.[1]
3. Calm down asthma.[2]
4. Promotes diuresis.[1] Detoxifies.[1]
5. Facilitate reticular channels.[2]
INDICATIONS
1. Convulsion, twitching in high fever.[2] Fevers and associated restlessness and headache.[1] Convulsive spasms.[1]
2. Numbness of limbs, hemiplegia, red swollen pain in joints.[2]
3. Dysuria.[1,2] Diminished urination.[2]
4. Bronchial asthma, hypertension.[2] Coughing, shortness of breath, ascites.[1]
5.Hemiplegia.[1]
PREPARATIONS: Dried body 4-9 g.[2]Decoction - Each dose 6-12 g. Also effective for external application (dissolve with grandulated sugar) over erysipelas and chronic open sores.[1]

References
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Research

Earthworm (Pheretima aspergillum) extract stimulates osteoblast activity and inhibits osteoclast differentiation.
Fu YT, Chen KY, Chen YS, Yao CH.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The potential benefits of earthworm (Pheretima aspergillum) for healing have received considerable attention recently. Osteoblast and osteoclast activities are very important in bone remodeling, which is crucial to repair bone injuries. This study investigated the effects of earthworm extract on bone cell activities.
METHODS:
Osteoblast-like MG-63 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophage cells were used for identifying the cellular effects of different concentrations of earthworm extract on osteoblasts and osteoclasts, respectively. The optimal concentration of earthworm extract was determined by mitochondrial colorimetric assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, matrix calcium deposition, Western blotting and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity.
RESULTS:
Earthworm extract had a dose-dependent effect on bone cell activities. The most effective concentration of earthworm extract was 3 mg/ml, significantly increasing osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, matrix calcium deposition and the expression levels of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin. Conversely, 3 mg/ml earthworm extract significantly reduced the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity of osteoclasts without altering cell viability.
CONCLUSIONS:
Earthworm extract has beneficial effects on bone cell cultures, indicating that earthworm extract is a potential agent for use in bone regeneration.
PMID: 25387689 PMCID: PMC4233063 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-440 BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Nov 11;14:440. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-440. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov


Pheretima aspergillum decoction suppresses inflammation and relieves asthma in a mouse model of bronchial asthma by NF-κB inhibition.
Huang CQ, Li W, Wu B, Chen WM, Chen LH, Mo GW, Zhang QF, Gong L, Li J, Zhang HC, Zhu HM, Zeng QZ.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE AND AIM OF THE STUDY:
Guang-Pheretima, the live form of the earthworm Pheretima aspergillum, is a traditional Chinese medicine commonly used for the treatment of asthma, cough, stroke, epilepsy and other diseases due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, anti-seizure, thrombolytic and diuretic properties. Although Guang-Pheretima is effective in the relief of asthma, its pharmacological activity and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Hence, we investigated the effects of a Pheretima aspergillum decoction (PAD) against inflammation in a model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in BALB/c mice, as well as the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathway involved in this process.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
OVA was used to sensitize and challenge the airway of the mice, and PAD was administrated by gavage. We measured airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the mice 24h following a final methacholine challenge with whole-body plethysmography. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), serum and pulmonary tissues were collected 48h after the last challenge. The levels of inflammatory factors and the related mRNAs were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The number of differential inflammatory cells in the BALF was counted. Serum total and OVA-specific IgE levels were measured with ELISA. The activation of NF-κB signaling in the lung was detected by western blotting. In addition, the lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin or periodic acid Schiff stain for histopathological examination.
RESULTS:
PAD treatment significantly alleviated AHR in the asthmatic mice, decreased the mRNA and protein levels of IL-4, IL-5 and IL-13 and downregulated IgE. In addition, PAD treatment attenuated mucus secretion and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lung while inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling.
CONCLUSIONS:
PAD effectively inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling in the lungs of mice with OVA-induced asthma, and mitigated AHR and Th2 type inflammatory reactions. Therefore, PAD may serve as a drug candidate for asthma treatment.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Aug 2;189:22-30. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.05.028. Epub 2016 May 13. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov