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PubMed · Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. (Zhe Beimu): A review on its traditional uses, phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties. (2021)
PubMed · Efficacy, chemical composition, and pharmacological effects of herbal drugs derived from <i>Fritillaria cirrhosa</i> D. Don and <i>Fritillaria thunbergii</i> Miq. (2022)
Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals
Fritillaria bulb contains steroidal alkaloids, primarily peiminine and verticinone, which exert expectorant and antitussive effects. These compounds help thin and loosen mucus secretions in the respiratory tract, facilitating expectoration. The herb also demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce swelling in lymph nodes and respiratory tissues. Evidence level: C, based primarily on in vitro and animal studies rather than large-scale human clinical trials.
Does Fritillaria bulb interact with any medications?
Fritillaria bulb has limited documented drug interactions in clinical literature. However, due to its effects on respiratory secretions and mild anti-inflammatory activity, caution is advised when combining with antitussive medications or drugs that suppress mucus production. The steroidal alkaloids may theoretically interact with medications metabolized by certain liver enzymes. Patients taking prescription respiratory or cardiac medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence level: C.
What is the recommended dosage for Fritillaria bulb?
The typical adult dosage for Fritillaria bulb is 3-9 grams as a decoction or approximately 300mg of standardized extract taken twice daily. Dosage may vary based on the specific formulation and condition being treated. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners often adjust amounts based on individual constitution and symptom presentation. This herb should only be used under professional guidance, as improper dosing may cause gastrointestinal side effects. Evidence level: Traditional/C.
Is Fritillaria bulb safe during pregnancy?
Fritillaria bulb is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be avoided. The herb contains steroidal alkaloids that may stimulate uterine contractions or affect fetal development. Traditional Chinese Medicine contraindications explicitly warn against use in pregnant women. Breastfeeding women should also avoid this herb due to insufficient safety data. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or nursing should consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal remedies. Evidence level: C/Traditional.
What is Fritillaria bulb used for in Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Fritillaria bulb is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to transform heat-phlegm and relieve cough. It is specifically indicated for productive coughs with thick, yellow sputum, as well as lymph node swellings and breast abscesses. The herb helps clear heat, resolve phlegm, and reduce inflammation. It is contraindicated for cold-phlegm conditions characterized by white, watery sputum. Evidence level: C, supported by traditional use and limited pharmacological studies.
What are the side effects of Fritillaria bulb?
Common side effects of Fritillaria bulb include nausea and gastrointestinal disturbances such as stomach discomfort or loose stools. These effects are typically mild and dose-dependent. The herb is contraindicated in individuals with cold-phlegm conditions, as it may worsen symptoms. Allergic reactions are rare but possible. Discontinue use if significant digestive upset occurs and consult a healthcare provider. Long-term safety data remains limited. Evidence level: C/Traditional.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. (Zhe Beimu) is a traditional Chinese medicinal bulb used primarily for respiratory conditions and inflammation [PMID:34029669, PMID:36532788].
Background
Fritillaria thunbergii Miq., also known as Zhe Beimu, is a perennial member of the Liliaceae family widely cultivated in China [PMID:34029669, PMID:36221925].
Traditional uses
It is traditionally used in China to treat cough, inflammation, gastric ulcers, hypertension, diarrhea, bronchitis, and for clearing heat, resolving phlegm, detoxifying, dissipating nodules, and resolving abscesses [PMID:34029669, PMID:40953776].
Active compounds
The bulbs contain alkaloids (including peimine, peiminine, veratramine, and the new alkaloid zhebeisine), essential oils, diterpenoids, carbohydrates, sterols, amino acids, nucleosides, fatty acids, and lignans [PMID:34029669, PMID:37723471, PMID:34058935].
Mechanism of action
Active components such as peiminine may inhibit NFATc1, ERK, and NF-κB signaling pathways to suppress osteoclastogenesis [PMID:34630331] and regulate the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway to influence bone-fat balance [PMID:36799485]. Extracts have also been shown to suppress hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation via mTOR signaling pathways [PMID:42337896] and ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis through the PI3K/AKT/FOXO signaling pathway [PMID:39938765].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AMultidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia
Chinese herbal compounds including Fritillaria thunbergii Miq combined with antibiotics improved the response rate compared to antibiotic treatment alone [PMID:38174222]
Evidence DHyperthyroidism (Graves' disease)
Two case reports showed successful restoration of normal thyroid hormone levels using a formula containing Fritillaria thunbergii [PMID:33109498]
Evidence DOsteoporosis
Peiminine alleviated bone loss in an ovariectomized rat model [PMID:34630331, PMID:36799485]
Evidence DHepatocellular Carcinoma
Alcohol extract (FAE) exhibited potent antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo without apparent cytotoxicity [PMID:42337896]
Evidence DPulmonary Fibrosis
Extract effectively improved lung function, inflammatory changes, and fibrotic deposition in mice [PMID:39938765]
Safety & adverse effects
In sub-chronic toxicity tests in rats, doses above 1mg/kg body weight resulted in body or head tremors and reduced spontaneous motor activity; however, no significant changes were seen in hematology, biochemistry, or organ histology [PMID:24486111]. The estimated median lethal dosage (LD50) in mice was 52.2mg/kg [PMID:24486111]. Risk assessments of pesticide and heavy metal residues in samples from Zhejiang province indicated no potential risk to human health in the short or long term [PMID:36369441, PMID:38182955].
Evidence summary
Evidence ranges from high-level meta-analyses for bacterial pneumonia to preclinical animal and in vitro studies for cancer and osteoporosis. Human clinical data is limited to a meta-analysis and isolated case reports.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 34029669 (2021) — Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. (Zhe Beimu): A review on its traditional uses, phytochemical profile and pharmacological properties. · Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association
2.PMID: 36369441 (2023) — Assessment of health risks associated with pesticide and heavy metal contents in Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. (Zhe Beimu). · Environmental science and pollution research international
3.PMID: 24486111 (2014) — Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of the extract of Thunberg Fritillary Bulb. · Regulatory toxicology and pharmacology : RTP
4.PMID: 40953776 (2026) — Elucidating anti-triple-negative breast cancer mechanisms and mitigating toxicity of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.: A multi-omics and network pharmacology approach. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
— Efficacy, chemical composition, and pharmacological effects of herbal drugs derived from Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don and Fritillaria thunbergii Miq.
· Frontiers in pharmacology
6.PMID: 34058935 (2022) — A new alkaloid with cytotoxic activity from Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. · Natural product research
7.PMID: 36247281 (2022) — Mechanism of Thunberg Fritillaria in treating endometriosis based on network pharmacology and the effect of Peiminine on the MEK/ERK pathway. · American journal of translational research
8.PMID: 42337896 (2026) — Fritillaria thunbergii Extracts Suppress Hepatocellular Carcinoma Proliferation and Metastasis via mTOR Signaling Pathways. · Combinatorial chemistry & high throughput screening
9.PMID: 36221925 (2022) — Plant Virome Analysis by the Deep Sequencing of Small RNAs of Fritillaria thunbergii var. chekiangensis and the Rapid Identification of Viruses. · The plant pathology journal
10.PMID: 37723471 (2023) — Metabolite profiling and transcriptomic analyses demonstrate the effects of biocontrol agents on alkaloid accumulation in Fritillaria thunbergii. · BMC plant biology
11.PMID: 39938765 (2025) — Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. Extract ameliorated experimental pulmonary fibrosis partly through the PI3K/AKT/FOXO signalling pathway. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
12.PMID: 38182955 (2024) — Contamination and health risk of pesticides in eight popular Chinese traditional medicines from Zhejiang Province. · Environmental science and pollution research international
13.PMID: 34630331 (2021) — Peiminine Suppresses RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis by Inhibiting the NFATc1, ERK, and NF-κB Signaling Pathways. · Frontiers in endocrinology
14.PMID: 36799485 (2023) — Peiminine regulates bone-fat balance by canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway in an ovariectomized rat model. · Phytotherapy research : PTR
15.PMID: 38174222 (2023) — Chinese herbal compound for multidrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant bacterial pneumonia: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis with association rule mining to identify core herb combinations. · Frontiers in pharmacology
16.PMID: 33109498 (2021) — Successful intervention with Chinese herbal medicine for hyperthyroidism: Two case reports and a literature review. · Explore (New York, N.Y.)