Radix Trichosanthis
Source
Root of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim., family Cucurbitaceae.
Characteristics
Root
irregular long striped or spindle shaped; 8-16 cm long, 1.5-6.0 cm in
diameter, yellow-white when the bark separate, with longitudinal striae
and long transverse lenticels. Hard in texture. Prepared as crosscut pieces;
section showing powdery, vessels or fibres somewhat radial. Sweet and
slightly bitter in taste, slightly cold in nature, and attfibutive to
lung and stomach channels.
Indication
1. Clear away heat and promote the production of fluid: For febrile diseases
with thirst or consumption of body fluid, diabetes.
2.
Clear away heat and toxic materials, relieve carbuncle and drain the pus:
For early stage of skin infection used together with Fructus Forsythiae
and Squama Manitis; for abscess, used together with Squama Manitis and
Spina Gleditsiae; for ruptured abscess, used together with Radix Astragali
seu Hedysari and Radix Glycyrrhizae.
3. Clear away lung-heat and relieve cough: For cough of lung-heat or dryness
heat type and hemoptysis.
4. Damage the chorionic syncytial trophoblast: For induction of labour
in the second trimester of pregnancy, and trophocytic tumor.
Pharmacologicai
Action
1. Interrupting pregnancy.
2. Its active component, trichosanthin, is effective on placental trophocytic
tumor.
3. Bacteriostatic.
Administration
Decoction:
9-15g. Injection: 10 mg of trichosanthin added in physiological saline
500 ml IV for drips, once 5-7 days after test, used for trophocytic tumor
and labour induction.
Caution:
Intravenous injection may cause fever and allergic reaction, or even allergic
shock in severe case, which can be alleviate by preceding use of corticosteroids.
Bed rest for 1-2 days is necessary after injection. Contraindicated for
those patients suffering from liver, heart and kidney diseases, severe
anemia and psychosis.