Taxus chinensis (Taxus chinensis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does paclitaxel from Taxus chinensis work against cancer?

Paclitaxel, the primary medicinal compound derived from Taxus chinensis, works by stabilizing microtubules within cells, preventing their normal breakdown during cell division. This mechanism arrests cancer cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, ultimately leading to programmed cell death (apoptosis). The compound 10-deacetylbaccatin III is extracted from the plant and chemically converted to paclitaxel for pharmaceutical use. Evidence Level: A for paclitaxel mechanism; Level C for raw plant applications.

Is Taxus chinensis safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Taxus chinensis is absolutely unsafe during pregnancy. The plant contains taxine alkaloids that can cause severe cardiac toxicity in both mother and fetus. Paclitaxel derived from Taxus species is classified as a known teratogen and is contraindicated during pregnancy. Consumption of raw plant material can be fatal, and even pharmaceutical preparations require strict medical supervision. Pregnant women should avoid all exposure to this plant. Evidence Level: A for paclitaxel contraindication.

What is a safe dosage of Taxus chinensis for medicinal use?

There is no safe recommended dosage for raw Taxus chinensis plant material. The plant is highly toxic and can cause death from cardiac arrest even in small quantities. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners historically used tiny, carefully prepared doses, but modern use is restricted to pharmaceutical extraction of compounds like 10-deacetylbaccatin III for paclitaxel production. Self-medication with any part of this plant is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted. Evidence Level: Traditional use only.

Does Taxus chinensis interact with any medications?

Taxus chinensis contains compounds that can cause serious cardiac toxicity and should never be combined with medications without pharmaceutical extraction and medical supervision. Paclitaxel derived from this plant has documented interactions with CYP3A4 and CYP2C8 enzyme substrates, including certain chemotherapy agents, anticoagulants, and anticonvulsants. Raw plant material contains taxine alkaloids that can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias independent of drug interactions. Evidence Level: A for paclitaxel interactions.

What happens if you ingest Taxus chinensis plant parts?

Ingestion of Taxus chinensis can cause severe and potentially fatal toxicity. Primary symptoms include cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and respiratory difficulty. The taxine alkaloids directly affect sodium channels in cardiac cells, leading to conduction abnormalities and potential cardiac arrest. Death can occur within hours of ingestion, sometimes with minimal warning symptoms. All parts of the plant are toxic, with no established safe threshold for human consumption. Evidence Level: B.

What is Taxus chinensis used for in traditional Chinese medicine?

In traditional Chinese medicine, Taxus chinensis was historically used in very small, carefully controlled doses as a digestive remedy and general tonic. However, due to its extreme toxicity, use was limited to experienced practitioners who understood proper preparation methods. The plant contains taxine alkaloids that can cause fatal cardiac arrest. Modern TCM practice has largely abandoned direct use of this plant in favor of safer alternatives. Evidence Level: C.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 30 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Taxus chinensis (Chinese yew) is an endangered shrub widely recognized for its potential in cancer treatment, specifically as the source of the anticancer drug paclitaxel [PMID:28503178, PMID:38783804].

Contexte

Taxus chinensis is an ancient gymnosperm and endangered shrub native to regions including south-eastern China [PMID:28503178, PMID:38449923]. It is highly sensitive to temperature changes and is the exclusive natural source of the anticancer drug paclitaxel [PMID:28503178, PMID:34267359].

Usages traditionnels

The fruit of Taxus chinensis (TCF) is used in folklore to make health care wine reputed for promoting anti-aging effects and enhancing immune function, particularly in the longevity villages of China [PMID:39413938].

Composés actifs

The plant contains paclitaxel (a rare diterpene) [PMID:38783804], taxoids such as 13,15-epoxy-13-epi-taxayunnasin A and taxchinin N [PMID:17190468], and taxane diterpenes including decinnamoyltaxagifine and decinnanioyltaxagifine acetate [PMID:17221422]. Leaf tea contains antiglycative components including catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin, procyanidin B2, and a dihydromyricetin dimer [PMID:31253329]. The fruit contains polysaccharides, flavonoids, amino acids, and terpenoids [PMID:39413938].

Mécanisme d'action

Paclitaxel acts via affinity towards microtubules, preventing cell proliferation [PMID:36080414]. Aqueous extract of Taxus chinensis var. mairei (AETC) may enhance the antitumor effect of osimertinib in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer by suppressing ERK1/2-related cholesterol biosynthesis [PMID:39032664] and by triggering CD47 ubiquitination and degradation to promote macrophage-mediated phagocytosis [PMID:36058145]. In diabetic nephropathy models, it may act by down-regulating the TGF-β1/Smad pathway [PMID:29455733].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DCancer (General/NSCLC/Ovarian)

Paclitaxel is a primary drug for treating breast, lung, prostate, and ovarian cancers [PMID:36080414]. AETC enhances antitumor effects in non-small cell lung cancer by targeting CD47 [PMID:36058145] and overcomes osimertinib resistance via ERK1/2 suppression [PMID:39032664]. A tRNA-derived fragment mimic from Chinese yew suppressed ovarian cancer growth by targeting TRPA1 [PMID:35317282].

Preuve DDiabetic Nephropathy

Oral administration of Taxus chinensis (0.32, 0.64, and 1.28 g/kg) in rats significantly improved renal damage, decreasing 24-h urinary albumin excretion rate, blood serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen [PMID:29455733].

Preuve BChronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML)

Omacetaxine mepesuccinate, a plant alkaloid isolated from Cephalotaxus (Chinese yew tree) species, produced a major cytogenetic response in 18.4% of chronic-phase CML patients and a major hematologic response in 14.3% of accelerated-phase CML patients [PMID:24481153].

Preuve DAging and Neuroinflammation

Taxus chinensis fruit extract (TCFE) attenuates aging behaviors and neuroinflammation by inhibiting microglia activation via the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway in mouse models [PMID:39413938].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

The fruit of Taxus chinensis is reported to contain polysaccharides, flavonoids, amino acids, and terpenoids that are free of toxic compounds [PMID:39413938].

Synthèse des preuves

The evidence is primarily based on laboratory (in vitro) and animal (in vivo) studies (Level D), with one clinical review of a derived alkaloid (Omacetaxine) providing Level B evidence for CML. Most data focus on the biosynthesis and pharmacological activity of paclitaxel.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 27513508 (2016) — [Not Available]. · Nutricion hospitalaria
2.PMID: 39032664 (2024) — Taxus chinensis var. mairei (Lemée et Lévl) Cheng et L.K. Fu overcomes the resistance to osimertinib in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer via suppression of ERK1/2-related cholesterol biosynthesis. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
3.PMID: 31253329 (2019) — Identification of the antiglycative components of Hong Dou Shan (Taxus chinensis) leaf tea. · Food chemistry
4.PMID: 38783804 (2024) — [Advances in paclitaxel biosynthesis and transcriptional regulation mechanisms]. · Sheng wu gong cheng xue bao = Chinese journal of biotechnology
5.PMID: 27706681 (2016) — Reversal of cisplatin resistance in non-small cell lung cancer stem cells by Taxus chinensis var.

Taxus chinensis

Sources et citations

Calculer une dose sûre de Taxus chinensis