Li Yan, Miao Mingsan
Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou Henan China 450046
ABSTRACT: Baihe (Lily) contains Lily steroidal saponins, Lily polysaccharides, alkaloids, phospholipid, protein, amino acids, vitamins and certain micro-elements. It has an effect of moistening lung to arrest cough, calm the nerves and enhance immunity. Therefore, it is frequently used in clinics in treatment of dry cough and insomnia due to Lung Yin deficiency as well as Heart and Lung Lily Disease. Being a herb homologous with Food, its wider clinical application should be studied.
KEYWORDS:Lily; chemical constituents; pharmacological effect; clinical application
Baihe(Lily), which is used in medicine with its dried fleshy scale leaves of Liliaceae lancifolium of Lilium lancifolium Thunb., Lily Lilium brownie F. E. Brown var.viridulum Baker or Lilium lilium pumilum DC., being sweet in taste and slightly cold in character, it can tonify Lung Yin, ease mental anxiety, relieve cough and reduce sputum in treatment of dry cough, hemoptysis cough, lung abscess due to Lung Yin deficiency, chronic bronchitis usually happens to the elderly, neurasthenia, insomnia with palpitations, and mental trance state[1]. Being a commonly used traditional Chinese herb, Lily was first recorded in Shennongbencaojing (Shen Nong's Herbal Classic), to cure abdominal distension and pain due to pathogenic factors in helping with bowel and bladder function and human Qi. In book of Bencaoshu (Compendium of Materia), it has been recorded as “the power of Lily exists in tonifying Qi and promoting Qi movement to nourish human and drive out pathogenic elements. Therefore, it is used to clear dampness and to regulate digestion. Bencao Gangmu Shiyi (Compendium of Materia Medica) recorded that “Lily can clear Phlegm Fire and complement deficiency”. People’s Republic of China Pharmacopoeia (2010 Edition) says that Lily can tonify Yin to promote Lung function and ease one’s mind. Among the three kinds of Lily being medical herbs, Lilium pumilum’s fleshy bulb is smaller. It is rare in the market mainly in northeast China and is collected from wildness, the main source of Lily herb is Lilium lancifolium Thunb, ehich is mainly found along the Yangtze River areas, where it is widely cultivated with mature technology. In addition to containing rich protein, phospholipids, amino acids, vitamins and some micro-elements, it also contains a variety of biological active ingredients such as lily polysaccharide, Lily steroidal saponins, alkaloids, which are all helpful to human healthy [2,3]. Modern pharmacological studies suggest that Lily can be effective in anti-fatigue, anti-depression, anti-tumor, regulating blood sugar level, anti-oxidation, immune regulation, anti-cough, etc. In order to further explore the medical character of Lily, this paper is to analyze its chemical composition, pharmacological effect as well as its clinical and therapeutic use in details.
1 Chemical composition
1.1 Saponins
According to the aglycone structure, Lily’s steroidal saponins constituents fall into four categories, namely spirostanol saponins, ISO spirostanol saponins, deformation of screw in steroidal saponins, and furostanol saponins. Among the 47 steroidal compounds [4-5] isolated from Lily there are nine spirostane alcohol compound [6], three different screw stanol type compounds [7], and three deformation spirostane alcohol compounds [8].It is found that the content of steroidal saponins in the flower bud is the highest, while the content in the stem and leaf is relatively lower, which indicats that the contents of steroidal saponins in Lily’s different tissues and organs are different [9] .
1.2 Polysaccharide
Two kinds of lilium brownii polysaccharide have been isolated from the fresh Lily’s fleshy leaf [10], namely the lilium brownii polysaccharide (LP) 1,, which composed of mannose and glucose in ratio of 2.46 to 1, and lilium brownii polysaccharide (LP) 2, which is composed of galacturonic acid, arabinose, mannose and glucose in ratio of 0.84 to 1.80 to 2.61 to1.00.
1.3 Alkaloids
Researches about Alkaloids of Lily mainly focus on Lily alkaloid colchicine, with its molecular formula being C22H25NO6.
1.4 Other ingredients
Cephalin, lecithin and various phospholipid components can be measured in the fleshy leaf of Tiger Lily, Chuan Lily, and other kinds [11].There are three compounds, namely beta sitosterol, stigmasterol and emodin in it. In addition, Lily also contains protein, amino acids and inorganic elements such as calcium, phosphorus, iron and a variety of vitamins, which are all nutritious to human.
2 Pharmacological action
2.1 Antitussive, expectorant and antiasthmatic effects of antiasthmatic
When mice with sulfur dioxide induced cough were treated with gavage of Lily water extract, the incubation period of coughing can be prolonged and the cough frequency decreased, with the phenol red excretion increased significantly. The water decoction of Lily can also resist the mouse cough caused by ammonia water. Lily processed with honey can enhance the effectiveness of curing the above mentioned two chemical substances irritating cough, which functions through increasing the mucus secretion in the airway surface. In addition, Lily also can ease animal asthma caused by histamine.
2.2 Anti-depression
Lily has been used in treating mental diseases for a long time in history, which had been recorded in ancient herbal classics. Lily saponins can enhance the contents of 5-serotonin and dopamine content in depressed model rat and cure the brain disorder of monoamine neurotransmitters effectively [12], which provides scientific basis and treating target and route in anti-depression: ① By improving the contents of 5-serotonin and dopamine in the brain of the depressed model rat the function of monoamine neurotransmitter can be promoted effectively. ② Hypothalamic corticotropin release factor expression can decrease by reducing the content of blood cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone; ③ increasing the mRNA expression of hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor and inhibiting hyperactivity of the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal axis of the depressed model rats [13].
2.3 Anti-oxidation
Lilium lancifolium Thunb and its ethyl acetate fraction and water saturated n-butanol extract has stronger ability to clear DPPH radical scavenging and to reduce Fe3+ as well as to inhibite lipid peroxidation [14-15], which suggests that it has the effect of antioxidant activity, Lily polysaccharide can increase super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione enzyme activity of D-galactose induced aging mice and can decrease the plasma, brain homogenate and lipid peroxide contents in liver homogenate, which suggests that the Lily polysaccharide also has antioxidant effect.
2.4 Anti-inflammation
The anti-inflammation effect of Lily's methanol extract comes from the inhibition of the activation and nuclear translocation of the transcription factor and the signal of RAW264.7 cells, which is regulated by the activation of the transcription factor and the signal of the amino terminal kinase [16].
2.5 Anti-tumor
Polysaccharide components have antitumor effect without killing normal cells. One of the main mechanisms of antitumor activity is by immune regulation. The transplantated tumor model was used in observation of purified anti tumor effect of Lilium brownii polysaccharide. The results suggested that Lily polysaccharide can inhibit H-22 tumor growth, and can significantly improve thymus index and spleen index, macrophage phagocytic function and the serum hemolysin content of tumor bearing mice, which suggests that Lily polysaccharide functions in anti-tumor and enhances the immune function of tumor bearing mice [17].
2.6 Immune regulation
Studies combined with the comprehensive evaluation of the immune function of the mice in vivo and in vitro experiments suggested that Lily polysaccharide can improve the immune function of mice significantly [18].
2.7 Lowering blood sugar level
The anti diabetic effect of lily polysaccharide is quite related to the function of promoting islet beta cell proliferation while playing little part in suppressing the activity of glucosaccharase [19]. In addition, the effect of reducing blood sugar of Lily also achieve by regulating the metabolism of glucose metabolism, promoting the proliferation of pancreatic islet cells and the secretion of insulin, anti free radical oxidation damage and so on.
2.8 Anti-bacteria
Lily contains abundant of Luo steroidal saponins, which have certain anti-bacteria function, so Lily has potential prospects in anti-bacteria.
3 Clinical application
3.1 Treating for Spleen/Stomach disease
Modified Baihe Wuyao Tang (Lily Lindera aggregata Decoction) combined with Pingwei San (Powder) is effective in curing Spleen and Stomach diseases, by taking syndromes into account, such as Spleen deficiency due to dampness, Stomach hotness and dampness, Qi stagnation and Blood stasis, etc. [20].
3.2 Treating for dry cough
Baihe Gujin Tang (Modified Decoction with Lily in it for strengthening Lung function) can treat for dry cough in autumn due to hot-dryness, which is more effective than Lily itself.
3.3 Treating for schizophrenia
Baihe Ningshen Tang (Lily Tranquilizing Decoction) or with small dose of chlorpromazine, a antipsychotic drug, added can cure severe schizophrenia better.
3.4 Treating for tuberculosis
Baihe Gujin Tang, a modified decoction with Lily in it for strengthening Lung function, combined with Shi Hui San (Ten-ash Powder) can be a good prescription for pulmonary tuberculosis.
3.5 Treating for menopausal syndrome
Baihe Dihuang Tang, a decoction with Lily and Radix Rehmanniae in it, is used with psychological guidance is an effective treatment of female climacteric syndrome.
3.6 Treating for stomachache
Shuwei Baihe Yin,a decoction with Lily in it, can treat for chronic gastritis. Baihe Danshen Xiangshao San, a powder with salvia, miltiorrhiza and Lily in it, can treat for chronic gastritis. Modified Baihe Jianwei Tang with Lili in it also has a good effect to treat for peptic ulcer.
3.7 Treating for gallbladder resection syndrome
Danshen Baihe Sini Tang can be a treatment of gallbladder resection syndrome.
3.8 Treating for diabetes
Baihe Gujin Tang, a modified decoction with Lily in it for strengthening Lung function can treat for diabetes.
3.9 Treating for carbuncle furuncle
Fresh Lily bulb wash is mashed and a little borneol topical is used to treat for long-time unhealed bone tuberculosis drainage mouth, breast swelling and pain, carbuncle swollen pain, and bursting abscess with swelling scores.
4 Therapeutic effects
4.1 Lily juice
Fresh lily 250 g and a small amount of crystal sugar are used.
Lily is socked with cold water with a small amount of sugar added in. Get them boiled on a small fire for 1 ~ 2 hours. Drinking and eating them 1-2 times per day for stopping cough by nourishing Lung. The food is especially good for elderly patients with chronic bronchial inflammation, or bleeding cough due to overwork.
4.2 Lily porridge
Lily 50 g, Japonica rice 60 g, and a small amount of cystal sugar are used.
Put Lily and Japonica rice in water and boil to get porridge, and then add the right amount of crystal sugar in it. The porridge can function to ease cough by nourishing Lung and tranquilize the mind. It is suitable for the elderly or weak patients with fever, and easily irritable insomnia patients. It’s more effective if some white fungus is added in making porridge.
4.3 Lily-almond porridge
Lily 30 g, peeled almonds 9 g and Japonica rice 100 g are used.
The porridge is applicable to chronic cough or long-time cough without phlegm asthma, dysphoria and insomnia due to Lung Yin deficiency.
4.4 Lily sydney drink
Lily 10 g, one snow pear and sugar 10 g are used.
Cut the peeled snow pear into small pieces and place all of the materials into a pot. Add lily, crystal sugar and water into it to boil. Drinking the boiled water can nourish Lung, tranquilize the mind, ease cough and eliminate phlegm. Eating the Lily and pear in the water can cure insomnia, dry mouth and pharynx, dry cough without phlegm etc. due to Heart and Lung Yin Deficiency.
4.5 Lily coltsfoot drink
Lily 30 - 60 g, coltsfoot flower 10 - 15 g and some crystal sugar are used. Boil them in water. The boiled water can cure chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma (remission), autumn and winter cough, dry and sore throat, chronic cough or long-time cough .
5 Discussion
Being a medicinal herb, Lily is widely used with medical value. Lily has a wide range of pharmacological activity, such as stopping cough, anti depression, anti oxidant, anti - inflammatory, anti - tumor, anticancer and so on.
Most current researches on Lily focus on the clinical effect of Lily in curing cough and soothing nerves. For example, the famous prescription named Baihe Gujin Tang (Decoction) is used to treat for sore throat due to lung injury and bleeding asthma by strengthing Lung Qi. Lily is also helpful in curing fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, pancreatitis, respiratory system diseases, digestion system diseases, etc. Studies on the chemical constituents of Lily mainly concentrate in Lily saponins and polysaccharides. However, the pharmacological effects of many constituents need further study. Besides, the therapeutic value of Lily is irreplaceable when being used for stoping coughs and anti-aging, etc.
Lily and its extracts can be used as natural additives, additives, antioxidants, antibacterial agents, and so on. With the development and the application of Lily and its extracts in food processing, and it will bring about more social and economic benefits.
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Foundation item: Scientific and Technological Innovation Team (number:2012IRTSTHN011); Zhengzhou Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine of TCM (number:121PYFZX1820); The Collaborative Innovation Center for the Creation of New Traditional Chinese Medicine and Genuine Regional Drug Deep Processing in Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine { number:〔2012〕188-2 }
Received 13 May 2017;accepted 20 June 2017
Correspondence: Miao Mingsan, MD, Professor; E-mail:miaomingsan@163.com
Editor: Qin Lin
