Akebiae Fructus
Aliases：Bā Yuè Zhá, Bā Yuè Zhà, Bā Yuè Guā, Yàn Fù Zǐ, Bā Yuè Zhā, Yā Jīng Zǐ, Lā Lā Guǒ, Yě Xiāng Jiāo, Mù Tōng Zǐ, Hé Hé Zǐ, Xiān Zhǎo Zǐ.
Yù Zhī Zǐ is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried nearly mature fruit of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne., Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz., or Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. var. australis (Diels) Rehd., plants belonging to the family Lardizabalaceae. The fruit is kidney-shaped or long-elliptical, slightly curved, 3–9 cm in length and 1.5–3.5 cm in diameter, with a yellowish-brown or dark brown surface marked by irregular deep wrinkles. It has a hard texture, a faint aroma, and a bitter taste. Yù Zhī Zǐ was first recorded in the Tang Dynasty Xinxiu Bencao (Newly Revised Materia Medica).
Efficacy & Actions
Soothes the Liver and regulates Qi; activates blood and relieves pain; disperses nodules; promotes diuresis.
Indications
Indicated for distending pain in the epigastrium and hypochondrium, dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, phlegm nodules and masses, and difficult urination. It may also be used for snake and insect bites. Rihuazi Bencao records that it treats all types of wind conditions, tonifies the five strains and seven injuries, promotes diuresis, facilitates childbirth, and detoxifies poisons; Kaibao Bencao records that it kills parasites and treats various toxic conditions; Yilin Zuanyao records that it strengthens Kidney water, treats consumptive fever, and repels snake and insect toxins.
Modern Pharmacology
Antitumor effects: Yù Zhī Zǐ exhibits clear antitumor activity and is clinically used in the treatment of various cancers including liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, particularly for digestive system tumors. Yù Zhī Zǐ can induce apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer cells through the ROS-mediated PI3K-Akt pathway. Anti-inflammatory effects: Exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity. Antibacterial effects: Possesses antibacterial activity. Antidepressant effects: Possesses antidepressant effects. Antithrombotic effects: Exhibits antithrombotic activity. Antioxidant effects: Exhibits antioxidant activity.
Ingredients
Triterpenoids: These are the main pharmacologically active components of Yù Zhī Zǐ. Common sapogenins include hederagenin, oleanolic acid, arjungenin, gypsogenin, and others. Major saponins include akebin A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and others. The 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia uses the triterpenoid component α-hederin as the quality control indicator. Organic acids: Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, neochlorogenic acid, 3,4-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and others. Other constituents: Calceolarioside B, salidroside, syringin, and fatty oil (approximately 18%, mainly containing glyceryl oleate, glyceryl linolenate, and glyceryl palmitate), among others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–9 g. It should be crushed before use. May also be made into an extract or pills, or steeped in wine for consumption. For external use: grind into powder and apply topically.
Contraindications
Not suitable for patients with Spleen deficiency and diarrhea. Use with caution during pregnancy.
Selected Formulas
For abdominal parasites in severe wind diseases (Sheng Hui Fang, Ruxiang Jian) Take 2 liang of Yuzhizi (Akebia fruit, ground), 2 liang of Xionghuang (Realgar, finely ground), and 3 liang of Ruxiang (Frankincense, finely ground). First, decoct the Ruxiang with 1 dou of water in a silver pot over low heat until 5 sheng remains. Add Yuzhizi and Xionghuang, simmer into a paste, and store in a porcelain container. Take one teaspoon each morning on an empty stomach with warm wine. For heart qi deficiency with mental confusion (Heji Ju Fang, Yuzhizi Wan) Take equal parts of Gouqizi (Goji berry), Baifuling (Poria), Huangjing (Polygonatum), Zhusha (Cinnabar), Yuzhizi, Shichangpu (Acorus), Fushen (Poria with pine root), Renshen (Ginseng), Baiziren (Platycladus seed), Digupi (Lycium bark), Yuanzhi (Polygala), and Shanyao (Chinese yam). Grind into fine powder, mix with honey to make pills the size of longan pits, coat with Zhusha. Chew one pill each time and take with Renshen decoction. For hypochondriac pain and epigastric pain (empirical formula) Take Yuzhizi together with Zhike (Bitter orange) and Xiangfu (Cyperus). Decoct in water and drink. For hernia pain, amenorrhea, or dysmenorrhea (empirical formula) Take Yuzhizi with Chuanlianzi (Toosendan fruit) and Yanhusuo (Corydalis). Decoct in water and drink. For strangury and difficult urination (empirical formula) Take Yuzhizi with Cheqianzi (Plantago seed) and Huashi (Talc). Decoct in water and drink. For snake and insect bites (empirical formula) Take Yuzhizi with Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotis) and Chonglou (Paris polyphylla). Decoct in water and drink. For tuberculous lymphadenitis (empirical formula) Take Yuzhizi with Jinyingzi (Rosa fruit) and Tiankuizi (Semiaquilegia). Decoct in water and drink. For gastrointestinal distension and stuffiness (empirical formula) Take Yuzhizi alone, decoct in water and drink.
Daily Consumption
Wine infusion: May be steeped in white wine to make a medicinal wine for consumption. Extract: May be boiled into an extract for consumption.
Medicinal Parts
Dried nearly mature fruit.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a ventilated, dry place.
