Herba Cistanche (Rou Cong-Rong): One of the Best Pharmaceutical Gifts of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Cistanche species, known as Rou Cong-Rong in Chinese, are an endangered wild species and are mainly distributed in the arid lands and warm deserts of northwestern China. Within Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Herba Cistanche is applied as a tonic and/or in a formula for chronic renal disease, impotence, female infertility, morbid leucorrhea, profuse metrorrhagia, and senile constipation. The chemical constituents of Herba Cistanche mainly consist of volatile oils, non-volatile phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), iridoids, lignans, alditols, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. There have been an increasing number of studies focusing on its bio-activities, including antioxidation, neuroprotection, and antiaging. The objective of this review is to introduce this herb to the world. Its taxonomy, distribution, and corresponding biological functions and molecular mechanisms are addressed in this review.

Analysis of molecular networks and targets mining of Chinese herbal medicines on anti-aging

“…(2) Influences on cell apoptosis. For example, there have been an increasing number of studies focusing on the bio-activities of Cistanche species, known as Rou Cong-Rong in Chinese, including antioxidation, neuroprotection and anti-free radicals [26]. As the primary active components of Lycium barbarum berries (Gouqizi), Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have been reported to have antioxidative and anti-aging properties in different models [27].…”

Botanical Medicine and Phytochemicals in Healthy Aging and Longevity—Part 1

“…Plants of the Cistanche genus, the desert broomrape, are considered tonifying in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and are known in TCM as the "ginsengs of the desert." 18 Cistanche species are rich in glycosides as well as polysaccharides. In a mouse model of aging, Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides dosed at 25 mg/kg for six weeks were found to enhance telomerase activity in heart and brain tissue.…”

Simultaneous determination of seven phenylethanoid glycosides in Cistanches Herba by a single marker using a new calculation of relative correction factor

“…Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma and Cistanches tubulosa (Schrenk) Weight, two widely used anti‐aging tonics in China and Japan for safeguarding health and delaying the onset of senility, were found to possess a favorable safety profile . According to the record of Chinese Pharmacopoeia, these two herbs were used to treat kidney‐yin deficiency, muscle weakness, and lumbar debility .…”