PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Kalopanax septemlobus, also known as the castor aralia tree, is a woody medicinal tree from the Araliaceae family used in traditional East Asian medicine [PMID:29186583, PMID:37290493].
Background
It is a deciduous, ring-porous woody species native to East Asia, including China, Japan, and the Korean Peninsula [PMID:22646502, PMID:27376942, PMID:29186583].
Traditional uses
It is used as a traditional herbal medicine for various diseases, with its bark specifically noted for curative effects on rheumatoid arthritis and other documented therapeutic efficacy against scabies [PMID:37290493, PMID:40763762, PMID:26549816].
Active compounds
The plant contains triterpenoids and saponins (including hederagenin and kalopanaxsaponin A), phenylpropanoids, and lignan derivatives such as (-)-(7R, 8S)-dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol [PMID:37290493, PMID:29186583, PMID:16392665, PMID:19924082]. Other identified constituents include liriodendrin, syringarenol, trans-coniferyl aldehyde, trans-caffeic acid, beta-daucosterol, and beta-sitosterol [PMID:21954557], as well as chlorogenic acid and 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid [PMID:21835418].
Mechanism of action
Leaf extracts may induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells via AMPK activation and induce G1 phase cell cycle arrest through dephosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (pRB) [PMID:26549816, PMID:27086152]. The compound DHDA may induce neurite outgrowth by amplifying MAPK and PKC pathways [PMID:16392665]. Kalopanaxsaponin A has demonstrated antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum [PMID:40763762].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DHepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2/Hep3B cells)
Ethanol extract of leaves reduced cell survival and increased apoptosis [PMID:26549816, PMID:27086152]
Evidence DFungal infections (T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum)
Extracts and monomeric compounds (kalopanaxsaponin A) showed inhibitory effects in vitro [PMID:40763762]
Evidence DNeurite outgrowth (PC12 cells)
The lignan derivative DHDA induced neurite outgrowth and enhanced NGF-mediated outgrowth [PMID:16392665]
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies, phytochemical analyses, and comprehensive reviews; there are no human clinical trials provided in the source material.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 37290493 (2023) — Kalopanax septemlobus: its phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity (1966-2022). · Fitoterapia
- 2.PMID: 29186583 (2018) — Transcriptomic Analysis of Kalopanax septemlobus and Characterization of KsBAS, CYP716A94 and CYP72A397 Genes Involved in Hederagenin Saponin Biosynthesis. · Plant & cell physiology
- 3.PMID: 40763762 (2025) — The Antifungal Activity and Potential Mechanism of Kalopanax septemlobus against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum. · Planta medica
- 4.PMID: 22646502 (2012) — Climate oscillation during the Quaternary associated with landscape heterogeneity promoted allopatric lineage divergence of a temperate tree Kalopanax septemlobus (Araliaceae) in East Asia. · Molecular ecology
- 5.PMID: 26549816 (2016) — Ethanol extract of Kalopanax septemlobus leaf induces caspase-dependent apoptosis associated with activation of AMPK in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.