coptis chinensis

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

|name = Chinese goldthread

|genus = Coptis

|species = chinensis

|authority = Franch.{{GRIN | accessdate = 19 January 2018}}

}}

Coptis chinensis, the Chinese goldthread, is a species of goldthread flowering plant native to China.

Etymology

  • Coptis chinensis Franch. var. chinensis[http://www.botanical-dermatology-database.info/BotDermFolder/RANU.html#Coptis%20chinensis%20chinensis Coptis chinensis] in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
  • (syn. Coptis teeta Wallich var. chinensis)

Chemical constituents

The rhizomes of Coptis chinensis contain the isoquinoline alkaloids berberine,[https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/plants/show/522 Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases] palmatine, and coptisine among others.

Traditional uses

Coptis chinensis is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called duǎn è huánglián ({{zh|c=短萼黄连}}). It has been proved to have anti‐cancer, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐bacterial properties and to help to improve cardiovascular conditions.{{Cite journal|last1=Wu|first1=Jiasi|last2=Luo|first2=Yu|last3=Deng|first3=Donghang|last4=Su|first4=Siyu|last5=Li|first5=Sheng|last6=Xiang|first6=Li|last7=Hu|first7=Yingfan|last8=Wang|first8=Ping|last9=Meng|first9=Xianli|date=December 2019|title=Coptisine from Coptis chinensis exerts diverse beneficial properties: A concise review|journal=Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine|volume=23|issue=12|pages=7946–7960|doi=10.1111/jcmm.14725|issn=1582-1838|pmc=6850926|pmid=31622015}}

Other uses

Because of the strong coloring quality of berberine, it has been traditionally used as a dye, especially for wool and other fibers.{{cite book |first1=Peter J. |last1=Gibbs |first2=Kenneth R. |last2=Seddon |year=1998 |title=Berberine and Huangbo: Ancient Colorants and Dyes |publisher=British Library |location=London |isbn=978-0-7123-0649-2}}{{page needed|date=November 2011}}

References

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