Manchurian thorn

Other Names

Angélique du JaponAralia chinensis var. elata (Miq.) LavalléeAralia chinensis var. mandshurica (Rupr. & Maxim.) RehderAralia elataAralia elata (Miq.) Seem.Aralia elata var. mandshuricaAralia elata var. mandshurica (Rupr. & Maxim.) J.WenAralia grandis Miq.Aralia japonica Seem.Aralia mandschurica Seem.Aralia mandshuricaAralia mandshurica Rupr. & Maxim.Aralia planchoniana HanceAralia spinosa var. elata (Miq.) Sarg.Aralie japonaiseChinese angelica-treeDimorphanthus elatus Miq.Dimorphanthus mandshuricus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim.DureupDureup namuEspino de ManchuriaJapanese angelica treeKorean angelica-treeManchurian angelica treeManchurian thorn treeMandschurische AralieTara-no-ki楤木 (Sōngmù)

Synopsis

Manchurian Thorn (Aralia mandshurica / Aralia elata): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity and Botanical Classification

1.1 Nomenclature and Taxonomy

Manchurian thorn is known by a wide array of scientific and vernacular names, including Aralia elata var. mandshurica, Aralia mandshurica Rupr. & Maxim., and the synonyms Dimorphanthus mandshuricus and Aralia chinensis mandshurica; common names include Manchurian aralia, Manchurian thorn tree, Siberian Aralia, and in Mandarin Chinese, ci-lao-yia. The plant is a member of the Araliaceae family — the same plant family that includes Panax ginseng. The genus Aralia L. is one of approximately 50 genera of the family Araliaceae and consists of 71 species of deciduous or evergreen trees, shrubs, and rhizomatous herbaceous perennials.

A note on nomenclature is warranted: the closely related A. elata (sensu stricto) is treated as a distinct taxon from A. mandshurica in some pharmacological monographs, though the two names are used interchangeably in much of the scientific literature. The overview by Shikov et al. (2016), published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology, treats them as a single pharmacological entity under the umbrella taxon Aralia elata var. mandshurica.

1.2 Morphology and Natural Habitat

Manchurian thorn is an upright deciduous small tree that grows up to 5 m in height, with a densely spiny, branchless trunk and very large leaves measuring 100–120 cm in length with long petioles. It is native to the eastern regions of Russia, northern China, and Korea. It belongs to the Aralia genus of the Araliaceae family and is one of the most popular edible mountain vegetables in East Asia. The plant is a highly nutritious wild vegetable widely consumed in China, where it is made into salad, dumplings, pickles, and soup for its fresh smell.

1.3 Common Dosage Forms and Preparations

Manchurian thorn is a tree whose bark and roots are used to make medicine. Principal preparations documented in the scientific literature include:

Alcoholic tincture (Tinctura Araliae): The ethanol (70%) tincture prepared at a 1:5 ratio has been available since 1967; it is standardized to a minimum of 0.5% of the sum of aralosides A, B, and C, and is recommended for internal administration at a dose of 0.75–1.0 mL twice a day.
Saparal tablets: Saparal tablets are a pure extract of the roots of A. elata, each containing 50 mg of a mixture of ammonia salts of aralosides A, B, and C, for oral administration in the dose of one tablet twice a day.
Arfazetin herbal tea: Arfazetin is a mixture of different types of plants, including the root of Aralia (15%), and is recommended as a hypoglycemic preparation.
Standardized combination extract (Aralox): The combination product Aralox contains 150 mg of Aralia mandshurica extract standardized to a minimum of 20% triterpene saponins (aralosides/elatosides) and 150 mg of Engelhardtia chrysolepis.
Teas and decoctions: Teas made from different parts of the tree were historically used in Russia to treat fatigue, weakness, headaches, depression, high blood glucose levels, immune weakness, and stress.

In Russian clinical practice, the alcoholic tincture from the Aralia root is recommended for the treatment of arterial hypotension, asthenia, and physical and mental fatigue.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

2.1 Geographic and Cultural Range

As an endemic of the Far East, A. elata has been used in the traditional medicine of eastern Russia and in China, Korea, and Japan. Aralia elata is an ancient ingredient in the medicine of China, Japan, and Korea, as well as among the Siberian and Manchu tribes.

2.2 Traditional Uses by Specific Cultures

The significant interest in Aralia in the USSR arose from ethnopharmacological investigations of Russian scientists in the Far East region, where the Aralia roots were used for treating tonsillitis, cold, flu, and stomatitis; as a light diuretic; and for treating bed-wetting. A stem bark extract was used for treating stomatitis, toothache, and diabetes. The Nanai — a Tungusic people of the Russian Far East — used roots of A. elata as a tonic for treating liver disease, toothache, and cystitis.

The Ainu, the aboriginal peoples who once dominated Hokkaido in Japan, used the roots of Aralia elata as a stomachic.

In Japan, the commonly used medicinal species of Aralia is A. elata, called Taranoki (たらのき), and its roots and bark are mainly used to treat arthritis.

In Chinese traditional folk medicine, the leaves, bark, and root cortexes of A. elata have been commonly used for the treatment of various diseases, such as neurasthenia, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, gastrospasm, constipation, and hepatitis.

In the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), A. elata, also known as Aralia mandshurica, has the attributed effect of "tonifying Qi and calming the mind, strengthening the essence and tonifying the kidneys, and dispelling wind and invigorating blood circulation," and is used in the treatment of neurasthenia, Yang deficiency and Qi deficiency, kidney Qi deficiency, spleen Yang deficiency, water-dampness stagnation, thirst, and bruises.

Within the broad genus Aralia, the plant is mainly used in root, stem, and bark as medicine, traditionally to treat rheumatic arthralgia, soreness of the waist and knees, traumatic injury, lumps, and abscess.

2.3 Institutionalization in Russian/Soviet Medicine

While Aralia elata is considered an example of a medicinal plant used in Chinese, Korean, and Japanese traditional medicine, the contemporary applications of Aralia in officinal medicine result primarily from a large number of pharmacological and clinical investigations carried out in the former USSR in the mid-20th century. Since the 1950s, Aralia preparations have secured an established position within Russian/USSR medicine. A specific monograph for the radices of A. elata and radices of A. mandshurica appeared in 1967 and was included in the 11th edition of the State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR as monograph #65 (1990). The Register of Medicinal Preparations of Russia includes medicines based on Aralia, namely "Tinctura Araliae," "Saparal" tablets, and "Arfazetin" herbal species.

In Russian codified medicine, Aralia belongs to the group of so-called "classical adaptogens."

3. Key Constituents and Active Compounds

3.1 Overall Phytochemical Profile

To date, a total of approximately 200 compounds have been identified as biologically active constituents of Aralia extracts, including terpenes, triterpene saponins, flavonoids, long-chain fatty acids and their esters, phenolic acids, coumarins, lignans, polyacetylenes, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, adenosine, volatile oils, and amino acids. More than 290 chemical constituents have been isolated from the genus Aralia, including triterpenoid saponins, terpenoids, organic acids, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids, and other constituents.

3.2 Primary Bioactive Class: Triterpene Saponins (Aralosides / Elatosides)

Triterpene saponins and terpenoids represent the key components isolated from A. elata; these natural products underlie the adaptogenic, hypoglycemic, and hypertensive properties of A. elata isolates. Aralia elata saponins are considered the main components for the plant's pharmacological effects.

The first active compounds — aralosides A, B, and C — were identified in the root of A. mandshurica by Kochetkov et al. in 1962 and 1963. These form the basis of the standardized Russian pharmaceutical preparations. Araloside C is the most abundant triterpenoid compound in Aralia elata and also the main pharmacodynamic ingredient in Long Ya Guan Xin Kang Jiao Nang, a Chinese pharmaceutical drug developed to treat angina pectoris.

Calenduloside E (CE) is a natural triterpenoid saponin isolated from Aralia elata, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, and prior studies demonstrated that CE exerts cardiovascular protective effects both in vivo and in vitro. Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of A. elata led to the isolation of new compounds, including congmuyenoside I, II, III, and IV — all novel triterpene saponins with echinocystic acid, hederagenin, and caulophyllogenin aglycone scaffolds.

The pharmacological effects of the plant are related to the presence of over 150 secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, sterols, polysaccharides, terpenoid saponins, and terpenoid acids; however, the main biologically active substances of A. elata are saponins and flavonoids.

In the most efficient way, triterpene saponins can be extracted from the roots of the plant using water, alcohols (ethanol and methanol), and water–alcoholic mixtures.

3.3 Extraction and Standardization

Phytochemical investigation of the entire plant shows complex water-soluble mixtures of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and protein. Saponins and flavonoids are the main bioactive components in the leaves. The Russian pharmacopoeial tincture standardizes to the sum of aralosides A, B, and C; the Aralox combination product standardizes specifically to a minimum of 20% total triterpene saponins.

4. Mechanisms of Action

4.1 Adaptogenic / Stress-Protective Mechanisms

Aralia is the source of clinically proven adaptogens, i.e., extracts or individual natural products positively affecting the resilience and stress adaptability of organisms. Multiple in vivo pharmacological studies have shown that tinctures and crude extracts prepared using the root demonstrated clear adaptogenic properties, manifested as enhanced stress tolerance and pronounced gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and antiarrhythmic effects.

Pharmacological studies on animals have shown that Aralia increases physical working capacity and affords a stress-protective effect against a broad spectrum of harmful factors, including cold stress, immobilization, UV irradiation, and low air pressure.

4.2 Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms

Studies on isolated organs, cells, and enzymes have revealed that Aralia preparations exhibit antioxidant activities and enhance sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase activity; inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated apoptosis markers (GRP78, CHOP, Caspase-12, and JNK); increase phosphorylation of STAT3 and the Bcl2/Bax ratio; show cytotoxic activities against some tumor cell lines; affect NF-κB and PPAR activities; and regulate biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related protein expression, tissue respiration, and oxygen consumption.

Anti-inflammatory signaling: Phytochemical investigation of the bark of Aralia elata resulted in the isolation of two new oleanane-type triterpene saponins, tarasaponin IV and elatoside L, along with known compounds; their NF-κB inhibitory and PPAR-activating activities were evaluated. Two of the compounds inhibited NF-κB activation stimulated by TNFα in a dose-dependent manner with IC₅₀ values of 4.1 and 9.5 μM respectively; the same compounds also inhibited TNFα-induced expression of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA, and other compounds significantly increased PPARγ transactivation.

Cardiac calcium cycling: Total saponins of Aralia elata (AS) can improve cardiac function, and a key study aimed to determine the direct effect of AS on cardiac function in dogs and the effects on Ca²⁺ transient and contractions in isolated rat cardiomyocytes; the results showed that AS directly induced a positive inotropic effect and improved coronary blood flow and energy metabolism.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress modulation: Total saponins of Aralia elata were found to prevent myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and reduce calcium homeostasis imbalance and ER stress-related apoptosis; prior studies had established that MIRI was related to calcium homeostasis imbalance and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Hepatoprotective pathway: The aralosides of A. elata, consisting of 16 saponins, display a hepatoprotective effect in a high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model by reducing phosphorylation of one of the unfolded protein response (UPR) branches, IRE1α, and therefore reducing downstream activation of JNK and NF-κB.

Lipolysis enhancement: A combination product containing Manchurian thorn and Engelhardia chrysolepis may improve weight loss by increasing levels of an enzyme that helps burn fat. Specifically, the clinical trial described below showed this to operate through hormone-sensitive lipase activation.

Neuroprotective mechanisms: All isolates from bud extracts were investigated for their neuroprotective effect on H₂O₂-induced damage in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y), and the new compound congmusaponin I showed significant protective activity at 50 or 100 μM; the possible mechanism was proved to involve inhibiting H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and fighting against oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disease. This suggests that triterpene saponins in Aralia elata may play an important role in neuroprotective properties.

Gastric cytoprotection: Araloside A, a potent inhibitor of gastric lesion and ulcer formation in rats, was isolated from the root bark of Aralia elata through a bioassay-guided separation procedure; it exhibited significant reduction of HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers at oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively, activities comparable to those of cimetidine.

Endothelial protection: The total saponins of Aralia elata (TAS), the main pharmacologically active ingredient, stimulate heart activity, possess anti-myocardial ischemic and anti-hypoxic activities, exhibit a strong anti-arrhythmic effect, and exert protective effects against diabetic cardiomyopathy.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

5.1 Adaptogenic Effects and Mental/Physical Performance

The contemporary applications of Aralia in officinal medicine result primarily from a large number of pharmacological and clinical investigations carried out in the former USSR in the mid-20th century. In healthy subjects, Aralia increases mental performance, working capacity, and endurance of movement.

Numerous clinical trials have shown the efficiency of Aralia preparations in patients with traumatic brain injury (accompanied with asthenic syndrome and neurotic reactions, depression, neurasthenia, and psychasthenia) and neurological diseases (accompanied with astheno-depressive and astheno-hypochondriasis syndromes). Promising stress-relieving effects of Aralia are reported for professionals whose work requires a high level of attention.

Evidence quality: Much of this clinical evidence was generated in the Soviet Union, often without randomization by modern standards, and the primary literature is largely unavailable in peer-reviewed English-language journals. The cited review by Shikov et al. (2016) synthesizes these data but acknowledges their historical and methodological limitations.

5.2 Lipid Metabolism, Obesity, and Weight Management

The most rigorously documented human clinical study involves the combination product Aralox. Thirty-two obese, non-diabetic female volunteers, with an average body weight of 94.4 ± 5.0 kg, an average BMI of 25.2–33.4 kg/m², and an average age of 42 ± 12 years, were recruited to take part in a 15-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. This randomized placebo-controlled study examined the effects of oral treatment with the Aralox phytopreparation containing Aralia mandshurica and Engelhardtia chrysolepis extracts on parameters of lipid metabolism in women with nondiabetic obesity receiving a low-caloric diet; the study showed that Aralox treatment led to a decrease in total body weight and fat weight, reduced perilipin content in adipocytes, reduced plasma triglyceride content, and stimulated activity of hormone-sensitive lipase.

Hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity in adipocytes in the Aralox group increased 35 ± 4.2%, from 5.2 ± 1.1 to 8.1 ± 1.4 mUnits/mg protein (p<0.001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the level of HSL in the adipocytes of the placebo group.

Evidence quality: This is currently the most methodologically sound human trial (randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, n=32) for any Aralia preparation. However, it used a combination product (not Aralia alone), involved a small sample size, and was conducted over 15 weeks. Independent replication has not been published in accessible peer-reviewed literature.

5.3 Glycemic Control and Anti-Diabetic Effects

Aralia extract administration appears to affect plasma glucose level and hepatic lipid accumulation and ameliorate hyperinsulinemia. A synergistic antidiabetic effect was reported for the combination of Aralia and glipizide.

Aralia elata (Miq.) Seem. decreases blood glucose, inhibits insulin resistance, and alleviates hyperlipidemia in vivo, and improves blood glucose and lipid metabolism in humans. A PMC study on the mechanism in mouse models found that extracts of Aralia elata were evaluated for anti-NAFLD effects and their ability to inhibit hepatic lipid accumulation and modulate cellular signaling in a high-fat diet-induced obese mouse model; groups of mice were given plant extracts orally at 100 and 300 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks.

From the perspective of modern pharmacological science, Aralia elata has hypoglycemia and lipid-lowering effects by regulating glucose and lipid metabolism.

Evidence quality: Evidence for antidiabetic effects is predominantly preclinical (animal models, in vitro cell studies). The available human evidence is limited to the Abidov et al. (2006) combination product study and clinical observations from the Soviet era. No large, independently replicated randomized controlled trial in diabetic humans has been published in the accessible peer-reviewed literature.

5.4 Cardiovascular Protection and Anti-Arrhythmic Effects

Among the adaptogenic properties of Aralia, a specific characteristic manifests in cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic activities.

The total saponins of A. elata were developed as a new drug called A. elata Xinmaitong capsules for the treatment of coronary heart disease, which has successfully completed Phase III clinical trials in China.

A key preclinical study aimed to determine the direct effect of total saponins (AS) on cardiac function in dogs and the effects on Ca²⁺ transient and contractions in isolated rat cardiomyocytes; AS directly induced a positive inotropic effect and improved coronary blood flow and energy metabolism.

In relevant animal and cell studies, calenduloside E (CE) exerted significant cardioprotective effects in vivo and in vitro by improving cardiac function, decreasing myocardial infarct size, increasing cardiomyocyte viability, and inhibiting cardiomyocyte apoptosis associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The proposed ability of Aralia to moderate stress-induced damage and dysfunction in cardiovascular tissue might make Aralia the adaptogen of choice among patients with higher risk for cardiovascular diseases.

Evidence quality: The completion of Phase III clinical trials in China for the Xinmaitong capsule formulation represents a significant, although jurisdiction-specific, milestone. Preclinical mechanistic data from animal and isolated-organ studies are substantial and consistent. However, the results of the Chinese Phase III trial have not been published in detail in peer-reviewed English-language literature accessible at the time of writing.

5.5 Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects

Pharmacological studies have shown that the extracts and compounds of Aralia have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation, analgesic, anti-tumor, liver protection, protection of cardiovascular and nervous system, regulating substance metabolism, antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidation.

A compound identified in studies exhibited the most active COX-2 and iNOS inhibitory effects; two anti-inflammatory compounds, elatoside and kalopanax-saponin F, first isolated from Aralia elata, were found to suppress NF-κB activation induced by TNF-α with IC₅₀ values of 4.1 and 9.5 μmol/L respectively.

Evidence quality: Anti-inflammatory evidence is predominantly in vitro and in vivo (animal). No well-powered clinical trials specifically testing anti-inflammatory endpoints in human subjects have been published in accessible peer-reviewed literature.

5.6 Hepatoprotective Effects

Multiple in vivo pharmacological studies have shown hepatoprotective effects from tinctures and crude extracts prepared from the root. The aralosides of A. elata display a hepatoprotective effect in a high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis mouse model by reducing phosphorylation of IRE1α and therefore reducing downstream activation of JNK and NF-κB.

The barks and root cortexes are widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of hepatitis, and recent studies have observed that A. elata extracts possess anti-diabetes and anti-obesity activities; an ethanol extract of A. elata was found to be effective in improving hyperglycemia and preventing diabetes in animal models.

Evidence quality: Hepatoprotective evidence is preclinical (in vitro cell cultures and rodent models). No human clinical trials specifically examining liver outcomes have been published in the accessible peer-reviewed literature.

5.7 Neuroprotective Effects

Modern pharmacological science associates Aralia elata with neuroprotective effects. In cell-based experiments, new triterpene saponins from the buds of Aralia elata showed significant protective activity against H₂O₂-induced damage in human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) at concentrations of 50 or 100 μM; the mechanism was shown to involve inhibiting H₂O₂-induced apoptosis and fighting against oxidative stress.

Evidence quality: Neuroprotective evidence is limited to in vitro cell studies. No clinical trials in humans have been conducted to date on this indication.

5.8 Anti-Tumor / Cytotoxic Effects

Previous studies confirmed that some bioactive compounds from the water extract of A. elata possess selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells in vitro. Isolated compounds were tested for their inhibition of the growth of HL60, A549, and DU145 cancer cells, with compound 1 showing significant cytotoxic activity. Specifically, one compound showed significant cytotoxic activity against HL60 and A549 cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 6.99 μM and 7.93 μM respectively, and two others showed significant cytotoxic activity against HL60 cancer cells with IC₅₀ values of 5.75 μM and 7.51 μM respectively.

The total saponins extracted from leaves of A. elata exhibited significant antitumor effect on human breast cancer in vivo and in vitro.

Evidence quality: All anti-tumor evidence is preclinical — in vitro cytotoxicity assays and animal tumor models. No clinical trials in human cancer patients have been published. In vitro IC₅₀ values alone are not predictive of clinical efficacy.

6. Body Systems and Health Areas

The phytoadaptogen exerts an effect on the central nervous, reproductive, immune, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems; the metabolic syndrome including hypolipidemic and antidiabetic effects; and blood coagulation. Together with the general properties of adaptogens, Aralia has its own specificity, which manifests in cardioprotective and antiarrhythmic activities.

The documented or studied body systems include:

Central nervous system: adaptogenic, anti-fatigue, anti-asthenic, antidepressant (historical/clinical — see Section 5.1)
Cardiovascular system: cardioprotective, anti-arrhythmic, anti-ischemic, positive inotropic, endothelial-protective (preclinical and Phase III; see Section 5.4)
Metabolic/endocrine: hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity (preclinical and one RCT; see Sections 5.2 and 5.3)
Hepatic: hepatoprotective, anti-NAFLD (preclinical only; see Section 5.6)
Gastrointestinal: anti-ulcer, gastroprotective (preclinical; see Mechanism 4.2)
Immune system: immunomodulatory (preclinical, historical use)
Musculoskeletal: anti-arthritic, analgesic (traditional use; preclinical data)
Nervous system: neuroprotective (in vitro only; see Section 5.7)
Oncology: cytotoxic/antitumor (in vitro and animal only; see Section 5.8)

7. Dosage Forms and Reported Study Dosages

Dosages reported in the scientific and pharmacopoeial literature are as follows:

Tinctura Araliae (70% EtOH, 1:5): Internal administration at a dose of 0.75–1.0 mL, twice a day (standardized to ≥0.5% aralosides A, B, and C).
Saparal tablets: One tablet containing 50 mg of ammonia salts of aralosides A, B, and C, twice daily by oral administration.
Aralox combination product (human obesity RCT): 150 mg of Aralia mandshurica extract (standardized to ≥20% triterpene saponins) plus 150 mg of Engelhardtia chrysolepis, studied over 15 weeks in 32 volunteers.
Total saponins (AS) in animal cardiac studies: Doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day were used in rat myocardial ischemia/reperfusion models.
A. elata extract (mouse NAFLD model): Male C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat diet were given plant extracts orally at 100 and 300 mg/kg daily for 4 weeks.
Araloside A (rat gastric ulcer model): Oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg showed significant reduction of HCl/ethanol-induced gastric lesions and aspirin-induced gastric ulcers.

No established, internationally validated human dose has been defined outside the Russian pharmacopoeia and the Aralox clinical trial. There is no proven safe or effective dose for Manchurian thorn in children.

8. Safety, Toxicology, and Drug Interactions

8.1 Animal Toxicology

Toxicological studies of Aralia on animals showed relatively low toxicity after acute administration, while a marked cumulative toxicity was noted; however, data on chronic toxicity in the published literature are limited.

A subchronic rat study examined the toxicological profile formally: the toxic subchronic effect of an extract of Aralia mandshurica on rats of both sexes was studied over a period of 90 days at oral doses of 0.2, 1.7, and 3.4 g/kg; the toxic effects on ALT, AST, serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP), total proteins, and serum urea were evaluated, with blood samples taken on days 15, 30, 45, 75, and 90. There was an increase in the levels of AST and SAP with a dose of 3.4 g/kg in both sexes on day 90; a significant decrease of body weight was recorded in both sexes at 3.4 g/kg; animals treated with 1.7 and 3.4 g/kg showed a diminution of faecal consistency; an increase of liver weight was produced with all doses of Aralia mandshurica, but neither macroscopic nor histological alterations were observed in any organs studied; possible liver damage associated with elevated enzymes was discussed.

8.2 Human Safety Record

No side effects have been reported in clinical trials and no public reports or articles about toxicity of Aralia preparations for humans were published during the more than 47 years of drug monitoring in the USSR/Russia. Nonetheless, it is not firmly established whether Manchurian thorn is safe at all doses; there is concern that it might cause liver damage when used at high doses.

8.3 Contraindications

Based on the conditions listed in the context of pharmacopoeial use and related Russian-language clinical guidance, the following contraindications have been reported: arterial hypertension, hypersensitivity, epilepsy, convulsive states, sleep disturbance, acute infectious or viral diseases, and chronic liver diseases; Aralia is not recommended for children below 12 years or for pregnant and lactating women.

8.4 Adverse Effects

Adverse effects reported as rare include sleep disturbance, hypertension, tachycardia, allergic reactions, euphoria, anxiety, and diarrhea. The tincture is not recommended for administration in the evening hours in order to avoid sleep disturbances.

8.5 Drug Interactions

Aralia potentiates the action of psychostimulants and analeptics, including caffeine, camphor, and phenamine; the drug antagonizes with CNS depressants, including barbiturates, tranquilizers, and anticonvulsants, and with hypnotics.

Phytochemical studies have noted that plants with complex mixtures of saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids carry an increased risk of adverse reactions or synergistic effects of chemical interactions. This is particularly relevant when Manchurian thorn preparations are combined with other saponin-containing herbs or pharmaceuticals affecting similar pathways.

8.6 Overall Evidence Limitations

The genus Aralia is both an excellent traditional herbal medicine and a source of bioactive molecules with good application prospects; however, the structure-activity relationship, in vivo activity, and action mechanism of its bioactive components need to be further studied, and more toxicological and quality control studies are essential to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Aralia as medicine. Many unpublished scientific reports from the Soviet era were deposited in the regulatory archive of the Ministry of Public Health and are not available to the public.

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Manchurian thorn may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that Manchurian thorn may help support.

No body systems available.