PubMed-compiled information sheet
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Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Liriope spicata is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb used as a yin-tonifying agent, often serving as a substitute for Ophiopogon japonicus [PMID:29634971, PMID:12587201].
Background
Liriope spicata (also referred to as Hubei Maidong) is a lilyturf species whose tuberous roots are used in traditional medicine [PMID:36291700, PMID:38280236]. It is collectively referred to as 'maidong' medicine along with Ophiopogon japonicus [PMID:38280236, PMID:41016234].
Traditional uses
It is used for nourishing Yin and generating fluids, moistening the lung, clearing heart fire, and treating lung dryness, dry cough, yin deficiency cough, throat pain, thirst, internal heat, upset insomnia, and intestinal dryness constipation [PMID:39366531, PMID:41016234].
Active compounds
Key active ingredients include saponins C (specifically DT-13) [PMID:39366531] and bioactive polysaccharides, particularly β-fructans [PMID:29634971, PMID:28732860].
Mechanism of action
Liriope spicata components may exert anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects [PMID:39366531]. Polysaccharides from L. spicata have been shown to increase the expression of PI3K, AKT, InsR, and PPARγ while decreasing PTP1B expression [PMID:28732860].
Clinical evidence
Evidence AParoxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF)
Adding Liriope Tuber (including L. spicata) to conventional medicine reduced PAF frequency, left atrium diameter, and P-wave dispersion [PMID:39247398]
Evidence DDiabetes/Hypoglycemia
Liriope spicata polysaccharides demonstrated in vitro hypoglycemic activities [PMID:28732860]
Safety & adverse effects
There is a health concern regarding the heavy application of paclobutrazol (a plant growth regulator) during the production of maidong medicines [PMID:38280236, PMID:33584266].
Evidence summary
Evidence for Liriope spicata specifically is limited compared to Ophiopogon japonicus; however, a systematic review/meta-analysis supports its use in PAF when combined with conventional medicine, and in vitro studies suggest hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties.
PubMed sources
- 1.PMID: 38280236 (2024) — Quality variation of maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus and Liriope spicata) - A HPTLC-based approach. · Journal of pharmaceutical and biomedical analysis
- 2.PMID: 33584266 (2020) — A Novel Method to Identify Three Quality Grades of Herbal Medicine Ophiopogonis Radix by Microscopic Quantification. · Frontiers in pharmacology
- 3.PMID: 36291700 (2022) — Quality Evaluation of Ophiopogon japonicus from Two Authentic Geographical Origins in China Based on Physicochemical and Pharmacological Properties of Their Polysaccharides. · Biomolecules
- 4.PMID: 39366531 (2024) — Mechanism of DT-13 regulating macrophages in diabetic wound healing. · Cellular signalling
- 5.PMID: 41016234 (2026) — Discovery of chemical markers for maidong (roots of Ophiopogon japonicus and Liriope spicata): A feature-based molecular networking approach.