Akebiae Caulis
Aliases：Tōng Cǎo, Fù Zhī, Dīng Wēng, Dīng Fù, Fú Téng, Wàn Nián Téng, Huó Xuè Téng.
Mù Tōng is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb. It is the dried vine stem of Akebia quinata (Thunb.) Decne., Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz., or Akebia trifoliata (Thunb.) Koidz. var. australis (Diels) Rehd., plants belonging to the family Lardizabalaceae. This plant is a deciduous or semi-evergreen twining vine. The stem is cylindrical, often slightly twisted, 30–70 cm in length and 0.5–2 cm in diameter. The surface is greyish-brown to brownish-grey, with rough outer bark and many irregular cracks or longitudinal grooves.
Efficacy & Actions
Promotes diuresis, treats strangury, clears the Heart, relieves restlessness, unblocks the meridians, and promotes lactation.
Indications
Indicated for strangury (painful difficult urination), edema, restlessness with dark urine, mouth ulcers, amenorrhea with insufficient lactation, and damp-heat arthralgia.
Modern Pharmacology
Diuretic effect: Exhibits significant diuretic activity. Low doses (3–6 g) have a diuretic effect. Anti-inflammatory effect: Inhibits capillary inflammatory exudation in the abdominal cavity. Antibacterial effect: Exhibits inhibitory effects against various bacteria. Antitumor effect: Exhibits certain inhibitory effects on the growth, proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis of tumor cells. Triterpenoids and triterpenoid saponins found in Akebia plants exhibit antitumor activity. Hederagenin glycoside (Aq3639) isolated from the pericarps of Akebia quinata fruits significantly inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells (MCF-7) with an IC₅₀ of 13.10 μmol/L, an effect comparable to that of tamoxifen. Antithrombotic effect: Exhibits inhibitory effects on thrombosis. Antioxidant effect: Exhibits anti-oxidative stress effects. Lipid-lowering effect.
Ingredients
Triterpenoids: Hederagenin, oleanolic acid, betulin. Saponins: Akebia saponins Sta, Stb, Stc, Std, Ste, Stf, Stg1, Stg2, Sth, Stj, Stk, and others. Sterols: Stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, daucosterol. Others: Inositol, sucrose, potassium salts, and others.
Usage & Dosage
For oral administration: decoct in water, 3–6 g; or take in pills or powders. Higher doses of up to 9 g may be used.
Contraindications
Contraindicated in patients without damp-heat, with fluid deficiency, Qi deficiency, spermatorrhea, or frequent urination. Contraindicated during pregnancy. Use with caution or avoid in patients with renal insufficiency—this product contains aristolochic acid, which has well-documented nephrotoxicity. Low doses (3–6 g) have a diuretic effect, while high doses (above 15 g, especially above 30 g) may damage renal tubules, cause epithelial cell necrosis, and in severe cases, lead to acute renal failure. Nephrotoxicity is rarely reported within the pharmacopoeia-recommended dosage range (3–6 g). Overdose and prolonged use should be avoided.
Selected Formulas
For damp‑heat strangury with frequent and urgent urination, painful dribbling, and poor flow (Taiping Huimin Heji Ju Fang, Bazheng San) Take Mutong (Akebia stem) together with Cheqianzi (Plantago seed), Qumai (Dianthus herb), Bianxu (Polygonum aviculare), Huashi (Talc), Zhizi (Gardenia fruit), Gancao (Licorice), and Dahuang (Rhubarb). Decoct in water and drink. For amenorrhea due to blood stasis (empirical formula) Take Mutong together with Danshen (Salvia root), Taoren (Peach kernel), and Honghua (Safflower). Decoct in water and drink. For scanty lactation or obstructed milk flow (empirical formula) Take Mutong with Wangbuliuxing (Vaccaria seed) and Chuanshanjia (pangolin scales, now substituted). Decoct in water and drink, or stew with pig trotters and consume. For damp‑heat impediment with pain (empirical formula) Take Mutong with Sangzhi (Mulberry twig) and Yiyiren (Coix seed). Decoct in water and drink. For edema with difficult urination (empirical formula) Take Mutong with Zhuling (Polyporus), Zexie (Alisma), and Sangbaipi (Mulberry root bark). Decoct in water and drink.
Medicinal Parts
Dried vine stem.
Selection & Storage
Store in a ventilated, dry place.
