BUPLEURUM: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Bupleurum is an herb or woody shrub native to Europe, Asia, and North America. There are about 200 different species. Its root is used as medicine.

Bupleurum is included in many Chinese and Japanese traditional herbal formulas. It might help stimulate the immune system and protect the liver.

People use bupleurum for asthma, depression, flu, hepatitis, liver cancer, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for BUPLEURUM overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Bupleurum is possibly safe. It's been used as part of a Japanese herbal formula called Sho-saiko-to for up to 5 years. It's usually well-tolerated. Side effects might include nausea.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if bupleurum is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Bupleurum might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using bupleurum.

Bleeding disorders: Chemicals in bupleurum might slow blood clotting. This might make bleeding disorders worse.

Diabetes: Chemicals in bupleurum might increase blood sugar levels. Monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use bupleurum. The dose of your diabetes medication may need to be changed.

Surgery: Chemicals in bupleurum might prolong bleeding or increase blood sugar levels. Stop taking saikosaponins at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with BUPLEURUM
Bupleurum can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking bupleurum along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with BUPLEURUM
Chemicals in bupleurum, called saikosaponins, might increase blood sugar levels. Taking bupleurum along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BUPLEURUM
Bupleurum might slow blood clotting. Taking bupleurum along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

Dosing

Bupleurum is most often used by adults in combination with other ingredients in traditional medicine herbal formulas. Speak with your healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Zong Z, Fujikawa-Yamamoto K, Tanino M, and et al. Saikosaponin b2-induced apoptosis of cultured B16 melanoma cell line through down-regulation of PKC activity. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2-15-1996;219(2):480-485. View abstract.

Ahn BZ, Yoon YD, Lee YH, et al. Inhibitory effect of bupleuri radix saponins on adhesion of some solid tumor cells and relation to hemolytic action: screening of 232 herbal drugs for anti-cell adhesion. Planta Med 1998;64:220-4. View abstract.

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Chang WC, Hsu FL. Inhibition of platelet activation and endothelial cell injury by flavan-3-ol and saikosaponin compounds. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 1991;44:51-6. View abstract.

Chiu HF, Lin CC, Yen MH, et al. Pharmacological and pathological studies on hepatic protective crude drugs from Taiwan (V): The effects of Bombax malabarica and Scutellaria rivularis. Am J Chin Med 1992;20:257-64. View abstract.

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Estevez-Braun A, Estevez-Reyes R, Moujir LM, et al. Antibiotic activity and absolute configuation of 8S-heptadeca-2(Z),9(Z)-diene-4,6-diyne-1,8-diol from Bupleurum salicifolium. J Nat Prod 1994;57:1178-82. View abstract.

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Hattori T, Ito M, Suzuki Y. [Studies on antinephritic effects of plant components in rats (1). Effects of saikosaponins original-type anti-GBM nephritis in rats and its mechanisms]. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 1991;97:13-21. View abstract.

Ishizaki T, Sasaki F, Ameshima S, et al. Pneumonitis during interferon and/or herbal drug therapy in patients with chronic active hepatitis. Eur Respir J 1996;9:2691-6. View abstract.

Izumi S, Ohno N, Kawakita T, et al. Wide range of molecular weight distribution of mitogenic substance(s) in the hot water extract of a Chinese herbal medicine, Bupleurum chinense. Biol Pharm Bull 1997;20:759-64. View abstract.

Jing H, Jiang Y, Luo S. [Chemical constituents of the roots of Bupleurum longicaule Wall. ex DC. var. franchetii de Boiss and B. chaishoui Shan et Sheh]. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih 1996;21:739-41,762. View abstract.

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Kato M, Pu MY, Isobe K, et al. Characterization of the immunoregulatory action of saikosaponin-d. Cell Immunol 1994;159:15-25. View abstract.

Kobashi Y, Nakajima M, Niki Y, Matsushima T. [A case of acute eosinophilic pneumonia due to Sho-saiko-to]. Nippon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 1997;35:1372-7. View abstract.

Lin M, Zhang W, Su J. Toxic polyacetylenes in the genus Bupleurum (Apiaceae) - Distribution, toxicity, molecular mechanism and analysis. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;193:566-573. View abstract.

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Martin S, Padilla E, Ocete MA, et al. Anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil of Bupleurum fruticescens. Planta Med 1993;59:533-6. View abstract.

Matsumoto T, Moriguchi R, Yamada H. Role of polymorphonuclear leucocytes and oxygen-derived free radicals in the formation of gastric lesions induced by HCl/ethanol, and a possible mechanism of protection by anti-ulcer polysaccharide. J Pharm Pharmacol 1993;45:535-9. View abstract.

Matsumoto T, Yamada H. Regulation of immune complexes binding of macrophages by pectic polysaccharide from Bupleurum falcatum L.: pharmacological evidence for the requirement of intracellular calcium/calmodulin on Fc receptor up-regulation by bupleuran 2IIb. J Pharm Pharmacol 1995;47:152-6. View abstract.

Meng X, Liu S, Deng X, et al. Clinical efficacy of Bupleurum inula flower soup for immune damage intervention in Hashimoto's thyroiditis: A placebo-controlled randomized trial. Front Pharmacol 2022;13:1049618. View abstract.

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Piras G, Makino M, Baba M. Sho-saiko-to, a traditional Kampo medicine, enhances the anti-HIV-1 activity of lamivudine (3TC) in vitro. Microbiol Immunol 1997;41:835-9. View abstract.

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Sato A, Toyoshima M, Kondo A, et al. [Pneumonitis induced by the herbal medicine Sho-saiko-to in Japan]. Nippon Kyobu Shikkan Gakkai Zasshi 1997;35:391-5. View abstract.

Sugiyama H, Nagai M, Kotajima F, et al. [A case of interstitial pneumonia with chronic hepatitis C following interferon-alfa and sho-saiko-to therapy]. Arerugi 1995;44:711-4.

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Wada Y, Kubo M. [Acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated by type C hepatitis during treatment and further by acute interstitial pneumonia due to sho-saiko-to in 7-year-old]. Arerugi 1997;46:1148-55. View abstract.

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Yamada H. [Structure and pharmacological activity of pectic polysaccharides from the roots of Bupleurum falcatum L]. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi 1995;106:229-37. View abstract.

Yang L, Shergis JL, Di YM, et al. Managing depression with Bupleurum chinense herbal formula: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Altern Complement Med 2020;26(1):8-24. doi: 10.1089/acm.2019.0105. View abstract.

Yao J, Zhang H, Ma L, et al. Effect of traditional Chinese medicine Bupleurum in the treatment of influenza A (H1N1). Pak J Pharm Sci. 2018;31(4(Special)):1713-1717. View abstract.

Yen MH, Lin CC, Chuang CH, Liu SY. Evaluation of root quality of Bupleurum species by TLC scanner and the liver protective effects of xiao-chai-hu-tang prepared using three different Bupleurum species. J Ethnopharmacol 1991;34:155-65. View abstract.

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Abe H, Orita M, Konishi H, and et al. Effects of saikosaponin-d on aminonucleoside nephrosis in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 1-21-1986;120(2):171-178. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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BUPLEURUM - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with BUPLEURUM

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with BUPLEURUM

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with BUPLEURUM

Dosing

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