NIS - libdoc.who.int - World Health Organization

Herba Polygoni avicularis
galactoside, vitexin, isovitexin and rhamnazin hydrogen sulfate. There is
also a lignan glycoside, aviculin, a naphthoquinone (6-methoxyplumbagin),
a mucilage, which on hydrolysis produces galacturonic acid, glucose,
galactose, arabinose and rhamnose; lignan aviculin; some tannins (rhatannin),
phenolcarboxylic (e.g. caffeic and chlorogenic) acids, hydroxycoumarins
(umbelliferone and scopoletin); tartaric, formic and silicic acid
(approximately 1%), a small amount of which is present as water-soluble
silicates (4, 7, 8, 19, 20, 33–43). The structures of the main constituents are
presented below.
HO
OH
O
O
O
R
OH
OH
avicularin
R=Ara
quercitrin
R=Rha
Ara =
O
OH
HO
OH
α-L-arabinofuranosyl
HO
Rha = CH 3
OH
O
OH
α-L-rhamnopyranosyl
Medicinal uses
Uses supported by clinical data
Used for the supportive treatment of gingivitis (44).
Uses described in pharmacopoeias and well established documents
Herba Polygoni avicularis is used for the relief of cough and cold symptoms
(35). The plant is well known in Chinese medicine where it is used
for the treatment of urinary infection with difficult painful urination, as a
remedy for heavy menstrual bleeding, for dysentery, snake bites, eczema
and vulval itching (29).
Uses described in traditional medicine
Herba Polygoni avicularis has been used for lowering blood pressure, and
as a haemostatic, anti-rheumatic, antipyretic and hypoglycaemic agent
(36, 45–48). It is also used for treatment of intestinal discomfort, to pass
kidney stones, to treat varices, as a cholagogue and emmenagogue (49–
51). The use of Herba Polygoni avicularis as an insecticide or vermifuge,
astringent, antifungal and wound-healing agent has been described (52–
54). It is also used for the treatment of weeping eczema (55).
333