Zao Jiao (Gleditsia sinensis): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Zao Jiao work to expel phlegm?

Zao Jiao (Gleditsia sinensis) contains triterpenoid saponins and gleditsia saponins that act as expectorants by mildly irritating the gastric mucosa, which stimulates respiratory secretions and helps loosen thick phlegm. These compounds promote mucus clearance through reflex bronchial secretion. The herb also appears to open blocked orifices by improving circulation and reducing inflammation in the respiratory tract. Evidence Level: C and Traditional use support these mechanisms.

Does Zao Jiao interact with blood thinners or other medications?

Zao Jiao may interact with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications such as warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel due to its potential effects on bleeding risk. Patients taking blood-thinning medications should avoid this herb. Additionally, because Zao Jiao causes gastrointestinal irritation, it may compound the gastric side effects of NSAIDs and corticosteroids. Evidence Level: C. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications.

What is the recommended dosage for Zao Jiao?

The typical adult dosage for Zao Jiao is 1-3 grams of powdered herb or approximately 500mg of standardized extract daily. Dosage should be divided into smaller doses to reduce gastrointestinal irritation. Higher doses may cause nausea or vomiting due to the herb's emetic properties. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners adjust dosages based on individual constitution and condition severity. Evidence Level: Traditional use and expert consensus.

Is Zao Jiao safe to take during pregnancy?

Zao Jiao is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. The herb acts as an emmenagogue, meaning it can stimulate uterine contractions and promote menstrual flow, which may lead to miscarriage or premature labor. Its saponin content can also cause significant gastrointestinal distress. Women who are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or breastfeeding should not use Zao Jiao under any circumstances. Evidence Level: C and Traditional contraindication.

What conditions does Zao Jiao treat in Traditional Chinese Medicine?

Zao Jiao is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to expel phlegm, open blocked orifices, and treat conditions involving phlegm obstruction. Common applications include persistent cough with difficult expectoration, stroke with loss of consciousness or aphasia, and various skin infections, abscesses, and swellings. The herb is valued for its strong expectorant effects and ability to restore consciousness in acute conditions. Evidence Level: C and Traditional use.

What side effects can Zao Jiao cause?

Common side effects of Zao Jiao include nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal irritation, particularly at higher doses. The herb has documented emetic properties, meaning it can induce vomiting when taken in excess. Patients with peptic ulcers, bleeding disorders, or sensitive stomachs may experience worsened symptoms. Children should avoid this herb due to its strong physiological effects. Evidence Level: C and Traditional documentation.

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

Gleditsia sinensis (Zao Jiao) is a multifaceted plant with significant medicinal, edible, and economic value [PMID:38734341, PMID:38383559].

Contexte

Gleditsia sinensis Lam., also known as the Chinese Honey locust, is a native deciduous tree in China [PMID:38734341, PMID:26909943].

Usages traditionnels

Traditionally used in East Asian countries for the treatment of measles, indigestion, whooping cough, smallpox, arthrolithiasis, constipation, diarrhea, hematochezia, dysentery, and carbuncles [PMID:26643065]. The seeds (Zaojiaozi) are specifically used for intestinal wind, hematochezia, dysentery, and tenesmus [PMID:42219067]. The thorns (Zao Jiao Ci) are traditionally used to reduce inflammation [PMID:27401288].

Composés actifs

The plant contains triterpenes, sterols, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolics [PMID:26643065]. Specific components include galactomannans from seeds [PMID:27999373], triterpenoidal saponins (gleditsiosides H-K and gleditsia saponins C' and E') from anomalous fruits [PMID:10570830], and a new flavonoid, (2'''E,6'''S)-4''-(6-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylocta-2,7-dienoyl)-vitexin, isolated from the thorns [PMID:34448432].

Mécanisme d'action

Anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by the suppression of the STAT3/STAT6 pathway in nasal inflammation [PMID:36921533] and the reduction of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression, PGE2, and tumor necrosis factor [PMID:27401288]. Other mechanisms include the modulation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway for ulcerative colitis [PMID:42219067] and the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway for type 2 diabetes [PMID:42188048], as well as the suppression of JAK2-STAT3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in colitis [PMID:42173610].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DInflammation (Paw Edema)

Aqueous extract of Zao-Jiao-Ci (ZJC) showed a significant suppressive effect on carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats at 100mg/kg [PMID:27401288]

Preuve DAllergic Rhinitis

Aqueous extract attenuated nasal inflammation in OVA-induced mouse models by inhibiting MUC5AC production [PMID:36921533]

Preuve DUlcerative Colitis

Processed perisperm (Zaojiao Mi) and mannan oligosaccharides (G-MOS) mitigated colitis symptoms and preserved colonic epithelial barrier integrity in mice [PMID:42219067, PMID:42173610]

Preuve DType 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Zaojiaomi polysaccharide (ZJMP) significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia and associated cardiorenal injuries in HFD/STZ-induced rat models [PMID:42188048]

Preuve DOvarian Cancer (SKOV-3 cells)

Certain compounds isolated from thorns showed cytotoxic effects with IC50 values ranging from 15.38 to 80.13 μM [PMID:32290704]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

In vivo safety assessment of the processed perisperm product Zaojiao Mi (ZJM) was conducted, though specific adverse effects were not detailed in the provided abstract [PMID:42219067].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (Level D), demonstrating anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and cytotoxic activities. No human clinical trials were provided.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 38734341 (2024) — Analysis of differential mRNA and miRNA expression induced by heterogeneous grafting in Gleditsia sinensis. · International journal of biological macromolecules
2.PMID: 38383559 (2024) — Characterization of the chloroplast genome of Gleditsia species and comparative analysis. · Scientific reports
3.PMID: 27401288 (2016) — In vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of Zao-Jiao-Ci (the spine of Gleditsia sinensis Lam.) aqueous extract and its mechanisms of action. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
4.PMID: 38066414 (2023) — Full-length transcriptome characterization and comparative analysis of Gleditsia sinensis. · BMC genomics
5.PMID: 34448432 (2023) — A new flavonoid from the thorn of Gleditsia sinensis Lam. · Natural product research

Zao Jiao

Sources et citations

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