Smilax china.   China  Family: Smilacaceae 
PART USED: Tuber
TASTE: Insipid.  ODORLESS
ACTIONS
1. Alterative- has been used as a substitute for Sarsaparella.[1,2]
PREPARATIONS
Tubers, cylindrical, often somewhat flattened, 10-15 cm long and 2-5 cm diameter, with short, knotty branches and a rusty, shiny bark. Internally, pale fawn colored.

ORIGIN: Japan, though grows elsewhere in the Far East.
DESCRIPTION: Climbing shrub. Rhizome creeping 10-15 cm long and 2-3 cm in diameter, hard, with irregular curves, and sparse, fibrous roots. Stem: rounded and hard, with sharp thorns, knotty branches and a rusty, shiny bark. Leaves: alternate, rounded to broad-elliptical, margins intact, with 2 tendrils at base of petioles. Flowers: in summer, small yellowish-green flowers appear at leaf axils to form umbellate inflorescences. Fruit: a berry, globose, red when ripe.
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.
Constituents.
Research.

Anti-inflammatory activities of Sieboldogenin from Smilax china Linn.: experimental and computational studies.
Khan I, Nisar M, Ebad F, Nadeem S, Saeed M, Khan H, Samiullah, Khuda F, Karim N, Ahmad Z.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Smilax china Linn. is extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as well as in Pakistan for several medicinal purposes including their use in inflammatory disorders.
AIM OF THE STUDY:
The aims of the current study were to validate and assess the folk use of Smilax china Linn. on pharmacological grounds using the isolated compound at molecular, in vivo and computational levels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Seiboldogenin was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of the plant crude extract. In vitro lipoxygenase and in vivo carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema models were used in experimental studies while molecular docking technique was used to conduct computational study.
RESULTS:
Sieboldogenin showed significant lipoxygenase inhibition (IC50: 38 microM). It also exhibited significant inhibition (p<0.05) of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema at the doses of 10 and 50mg/kg. Computational molecular docking showed its molecular interaction with important amino acid residues in the catalytic site of lipoxygenase, revealing its potential binding mode at molecular level.
CONCLUSIONS:
Sieboldogenin seems to be a potential new anti-inflammatory compound responsible for anti-inflammatory activities of Smilax china Linn. Its in vitro and in vivo inflammatory activities are in good agreement with the folk medicinal use of Smilax china Linn. in inflammatory disorders.
PMID: 19007873 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.10.009 J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Jan 12;121(1):175-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2008.10.009. Epub 2008 Oct 21. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Steroidal saponins from Smilax china and their anti-inflammatory activities.
Shao B, Guo H, Cui Y, Ye M, Han J, Guo D.
Abstract
Steroidal saponins, 1, 2, 3 and 4, were isolated from the BuOH extract of Smilax china L., along with 13 known compounds, 5-17. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses and chemical evidence. In the bioassay tests, all compounds showed inhibitory effects on cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) activities at final concentration of 10(-5) M, and only compound 5 showed an inhibitory effect on production of TNFalpha (tumor necrosis factor alpha) in murine peritoneal macrophages at the same concentration.
PMID: 17166529 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2006.10.026 Phytochemistry. 2007 Mar;68(5):623-30. Epub 2006 Dec 12. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Constituent Compounds of Smilax china on Nicotine-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.
Lincha VR, Zhao BT, Woo MH, Yang IJ, Shin HM.
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of compounds isolated from 70% ethanol (EtOH) extraction of Smilax china L. (SCE), a plant belonging to the family Smilacaceae on nicotine-induced endothelial dysfunction (ED) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We isolated 10 compounds from ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction of 70% EtOH extract of SCE and investigated their inhibitory effect on nicotine-induced ED in endothelial cells. Kaempferol, kaempferol 7-O-a-L-rhamnopyranoside, puerarin and ferulic acid showed strong inhibition of nicotine-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) expression while kaempferol, kaempferin, and caffeic acid attenuated intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) expression. Lepidoside, caffeic acid and methylsuccinic acid caused the highest up-regulated expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase at the protein level with caffeic acid and ferulic acid showing strong inhibitory effects on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. In addition, ferulic acid and kaempferol showed inhibition against interleukin-8 (IL-8) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) expression while ferulic acid and caffeic acid showed comparatively higher inhibition of ED associated tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) expression. These results show the potential of the aforementioned compounds to reverse the toxic effects of nicotine on the endothelium.
PMID: 27251500 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b15-00997 Biol Pharm Bull. 2016;39(6):984-92. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b15-00997. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of Smilax china L.
Chen L, Yin H, Lan Z, Ma S, Zhang C, Yang Z, Li P, Lin B.
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE:
Smilax china L., popularly known as "Jin Gang Ten", has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of gout, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases for a long time in China.
AIM OF STUDY:
The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Smilax china L. on hyperuricemia and renal dysfunction in induced hyperuricemic animals.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Five fractions (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and residual ethanol fraction) of Smilax china L. were orally administered to potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic mice for three days. The xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities and modes of action of nine compounds isolated from ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) were then examined in vitro. Finally, different dosages of EAF were administered to 10% fructose-induced hyperuricemic rats.
RESULTS:
EAF (250 mg/kg) exhibited stronger anti-hyperuricemic activity in hyperuricemic mice compared with the other four fractions. Caffeic acid, resveratrol, rutin and oxyresveratrol isolated from EAF showed different inhibitory activities on xanthine oxidase in vitro, with the IC(50) values of 42.60, 37.53, 42.20 and 40.69 µM, respectively, and exhibited competitive or mixed inhibitory actions. Moreover, EAF (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) markedly reversed the serum uric acid level (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively), fractional excretion of urate (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively) and blood urea nitrogen (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.01, respectively) to their normal states, and prevented the renal damage against tubulointerstitial pathologies in hyperuricemic rats.
CONCLUSION:
These findings show that Smilax china L. exhibits anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective activity in hyperuricemic animals.
PMID: 21420478 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.03.033  J Ethnopharmacol. 2011 May 17;135(2):399-405. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2011.03.033. Epub 2011 Mar 21. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Fraction of Macroporous Resin from Smilax china L. Inhibits Testosterone Propionate–Induced Prostatic Hyperplasia in Castrated Rats
Jing Chen, Chao-Mei Xiong, Shan-Shan Song, Pan Han, and Jin-Lan Ruancorresponding author
Abstract
The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a fraction of macroporous resin (FMR), a bioactive component of Smilax china L., on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in castrated rats induced by testosterone propionate. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: the negative control group (sham-operated), the model group, two FMR-treated groups (at doses of 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of body weight), and the positive control group (treated with finasteride at the dose of 3 mg/kg). Drugs were administered once a day for three consecutive weeks by gastric gavage. Prostates were weighed, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum were determined, and histopathological examinations were carried out. FMR treatment inhibited prostatic hyperplasia, reducing the DHT level in serum and improving the prostate gland morphology compared with the model group. The overall results of this study suggest that FMR is effective at inhibiting experimentally induced prostate enlargement, and it presents a valuable resource for the treatment of human BPH.
J Med Food. 2012 Jul; 15(7): 646–650.
doi: 10.1089/jmf.2011.1968
PMCID: PMC3382266 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Anti-metastatic effect of Smilax china L. extract on MDA-MB-231 cells
 Kyoung Jin Nho Jin Mi Chun Ho Kyoung Kim
Abstract
Cancer metastases are not always cured by chemotherapy. Conventional and alternative drugs, including Chinese herbal remedies, have been developed to target metastatic cancer cells. Smilax china L. (SCL), a member of the Smilacaceae family, exerts anti-inflammatory, detoxification and anti-cancer effects. However, the effect of SCL on breast cancer cell metastasis and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a SCL ethanol extract (SCLE) on the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, as well as the expression of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), uPA receptor (uPAR) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Cell proliferation was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 and cell migration was determined by wound healing assay. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify the mRNA levels of uPA, uPAR and TIMPs. SCLE markedly inhibited the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells, and reduced the mRNA levels of the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation-associated molecules uPA, uPAR. By contrast, SCLE significantly increased the mRNA levels of TIMP1 and TIMP2. These findings show that SCLE exerts an anti-metastatic effect on human breast cancer cells, which may involve the modulation of ECM degradation.
Published online on: October 17, 2014 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2014.2698
Pages:499-502 spandidos-publications.com

Anti-diabetes effects of Smilax china L. extract (959.17)
Yun Hwan Kang, Dae Jung Kim, Tae Woo Kim, Kyoung Kon Kim and Myeon Choe
Abstract
Smilax china L., a native plant found in Asian countries, has several medicinal properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. Although the root of the plant is commonly used as traditional herbal medicine in Korea and China, the medicinal properties of the leaves have not gained the same attention. In this study, we analyzed the antioxidant activity, a-glucosidase inhibitory effect and lipid accumulation inhibition effect of Smilax china L. leaf water extract (SCLE) and its solvent fractions. SCLE was fractionated by using a series of organic solvents, including ethylacetate (EA) and n-butanol (BuOH). The EA fraction had the highest total polyphenol content (440.20 ± 12.67 mg GAE/g) and total flavonoid content (215.14 ± 24.83 mg QE/g). The radical scavenging activity IC50 values of the EA fraction for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline)-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) were 0.022 mg/mL and 0.13 mg/mL, respectively. Further, SOD-like activity and reducing power values of the EA fraction were higher than those of the other fractions. However, both the a-glucosidase and lipid accumulation inhibition assays showed that the BuOH fraction (83.35 ± 4.18% at 1 mg/mL) and water extract (11.27 ± 2.67%) were more effective than the EA fraction (64.13 ± 6.35%, and 45.66 ± 7.20%). These results provide new insights into the potential anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects of Smilax china L. leaf.
April 2014 The FASEB Journal vol. 28 no. 1 Supplement 959.17 fasebj.org

Smilax china L. rhizome extract inhibits nuclear factor-kB and induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells
Li-ling Hu, Dong-sheng Chen, Email authorYan-yan Wang, You Qin, Pu Huang, Li-xiu Yu, Jing Liao, Xiao-li Hua
Aim
To study the antitumor effects and associated mechanisms of extract of the Smilax china L. rhizome (SCR) on ovarian cancer cells.
Methods
Ovarian cancer cells A2780 were treated with different concentrations of SCR extract (SCRE), and compared with controls. Effects on cell growth were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay; proliferation effects by EdU incorporation assay; cell cycle by propidium iodide staining; apoptosis by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide; cellular distribution of nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) by immunofluorescence; protein levels of NF-kB, caspase-3, poly-adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (cIAP)-1, anti-X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-XL), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and AKT by Western blotting; and effects of SCRE combined with cisplatin or adriamycin on A2780 cells by CCK-8 assay.
Results
SCRE suppressed A2780 cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05,P<0.01), arrested cells in G2/M phase and induced apoptosis by activating caspase-3, PARP and Bax. SCRE treatment also correlated with inhibition of NF-?B and downregulation of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, cIAP-1, XIAP and AKT. SCRE can promote chemosensitivity to cisplatin and adriamycin in A2780 cells (P<0.01).
Conclusion
SCR effectively inhibits NF-kB, induces apoptosis and reduces chemoresistance to cisplatin and adriamycin in ovarian cancer cells, which might be its molecular basis for treating ovarian cancer.
Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine December 2015, Volume 21, Issue 12, pp 907–915 link.springer.com