This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Wu Gong contains bioactive compounds including histamine, serotonin, fatty acids, mucopolysaccharides, and proteins that contribute to its therapeutic effects. In traditional Chinese medicine theory, it works by 'extinguishing wind' and 'unblocking channels,' which corresponds to modern understanding of anticonvulsant and analgesic properties. The histamine and serotonin content may influence neurological pathways, while protein components may contribute to its toxin-attacking properties. Evidence level: C (preclinical and traditional use data).
Does Wu Gong interact with blood thinners or other medications?
Wu Gong should be used cautiously with anticoagulant and antiplatelet medications due to potential additive effects on bleeding risk. The herb is contraindicated in patients with bleeding disorders, suggesting possible interference with hemostasis. Limited pharmacokinetic data exists for drug interactions. Patients taking warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or other blood-thinning medications should avoid Wu Gong unless under strict professional supervision. Always inform your healthcare provider about all supplements and herbal medicines you are taking.
What is the correct dosage of Wu Gong for adults?
The typical adult dosage of Wu Gong is 1-3 grams of dried centipede daily, though this should only be determined by a qualified practitioner. Dosage varies based on the specific condition being treated, the patient's constitution, and whether it is used alone or in combination with other herbs. Professional supervision is required due to the potential for allergic reactions and the toxic nature of the substance. Self-prescribing is strongly discouraged.
Is Wu Gong safe to take during pregnancy?
Wu Gong is contraindicated during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. As an animal-derived substance with potent bioactive compounds, it poses significant safety risks to fetal development. Traditional Chinese medicine classifies it as a substance that 'attacks toxins' and unblocks channels, actions considered too aggressive for pregnant patients. Additionally, the presence of histamine and other compounds could trigger uterine contractions or other adverse effects. Pregnant women should consult a qualified practitioner for safe alternatives.
What conditions is Wu Gong used to treat?
Wu Gong is primarily used in traditional Chinese medicine for stroke recovery, convulsions, seizures, and various painful conditions. It is also applied in treating skin toxins and conditions requiring antiepileptic effects. The herb works by 'extinguishing wind' and 'unblocking channels' according to TCM theory. Clinical evidence supporting these uses is limited to level C, meaning recommendations are based primarily on traditional use and preclinical research rather than rigorous clinical trials.
What side effects can Wu Gong centipede cause?
Common side effects of Wu Gong include allergic reactions, which can range from mild skin irritation to more severe responses, and nausea. The centipede contains venom-related compounds that may trigger hypersensitivity in susceptible individuals. More serious reactions may occur with improper dosage or in patients with allergies to insect-derived substances. Contraindications include pregnancy, known allergies, and bleeding disorders. Always source Wu Gong from reputable suppliers to ensure proper processing and reduce contamination risks.
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 29 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Wu Gong (Scolopendra subspinipes), also known as the Chinese red-headed centipede, is a venomous arthropod used in traditional East Asian medicine for treating inflammation, pain, and infections [PMID:40423312].
Background
Scolopendra subspinipes is a genus of large, predatory venomous arthropods inhabiting tropical regions of Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, South America, and the Southwestern US [PMID:34969138, PMID:31194452].
Traditional uses
It has been utilized in traditional East Asian medicine for centuries to treat chronic pain, inflammation, convulsions, and infections [PMID:40423312], and has been used to treat tumors in China [PMID:37032730].
Active compounds
Bioactive molecules include peptides (such as SsmTx-I, scolopendrasin X, scolopendin, and scolopentide), alkaloids (including scolopenolines A-L, scolosprine C, and various isoquinolines), and polysaccharide-protein complexes [PMID:40423312, PMID:38600744, PMID:33645030, PMID:28988115, PMID:26342880, PMID:37032730, PMID:28281314].
Mechanism of action
Venom-derived peptides target voltage-gated ion channels (Nav, Kv, Cav) and TRPV1 to produce pain or paralysis [PMID:32260499]. Specifically, SsmTx-I selectively blocks Kv2.1 channels [PMID:24464516]. Antimicrobial peptides like scolopendin target microbial cell membranes, inducing potassium release and increasing permeability [PMID:26342880], while scolopendin 1 induces ROS accumulation and apoptosis in fungi [PMID:25209888]. Certain alkaloids may target the Lamp2 protein for anti-renal-fibrosis activity [PMID:38600744] or induce apoptosis in cancer cells via the mitochondria pathway [PMID:26947248].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DAcute Pancreatitis
Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans water extract protected against cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in a mouse model by inhibiting high-mobility group box protein-1 [PMID:23539679]
Evidence DRenal Fibrosis
Certain isolated alkaloids (10, 16-18) exhibit anti-renal-fibrosis activity [PMID:38600744]
Evidence DCancer (In vitro)
Various compounds showed cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines, including hepatoma (scolopentide), glioma (isoquinoline alkaloids), and esophageal squamous cancer cells [PMID:37032730, PMID:26947248, PMID:28281314]
Safety & adverse effects
Envenomation typically causes intense local pain, erythema, edema, and occasionally necrosis [PMID:11434497, PMID:35674561]. Rare severe reactions include myocardial ischemia, rhabdomyolysis, and anaphylaxis [PMID:30273703]. Allergic reactions have been observed following both bites and the clinical use of centipede-containing traditional medicines, linked to the allergen Sco m 5 [PMID:32680616].
Evidence summary
The evidence consists primarily of in vitro studies, animal models, and case reports of envenomation; there is a lack of high-level clinical trial data (RCTs or meta-analyses) for therapeutic use.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 34969138 (2021) — Centipede Bites. · Journal of special operations medicine : a peer reviewed journal for SOF medical professionals
2.PMID: 31194452 (2026) — Centipede bite. · European review for medical and pharmacological sciences
5.PMID: 23148443 (2012) — Venomic and transcriptomic analysis of centipede Scolopendra subspinipes dehaani. · Journal of proteome research
6.
Government sources
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.
— Centipede Venom Peptides Acting on Ion Channels.
· Toxins
7.PMID: 38600744 (2024) — Structurally Diverse Alkaloids with Anti-Renal-Fibrosis Activity from the Centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. · Journal of natural products
8.PMID: 33645030 (2021) — [A new quinoline alkaloid from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
9.PMID: 32680616 (2021) — Isolation and characterization of the major centipede allergen Sco m 5 from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. · Allergology international : official journal of the Japanese Society of Allergology
10.PMID: 15587246 (2004) — Vietnamese centipede envenomation. · Veterinary and human toxicology
11.PMID: 37032730 (2023) — Antihepatoma peptide, scolopentide, derived from the centipede scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. · World journal of gastroenterology
12.PMID: 40423312 (2025) — Therapeutic Potential of Scolopendra subspinipes: A Comprehensive Scoping Review of Its Bioactive Compounds, Preclinical Pharmacology, and Clinical Applications. · Toxins
13.PMID: 28281314 (2017) — A New 1,5-Dihydroxy-4-methoxyisoquinoline from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans. · Chemistry & biodiversity
14.PMID: 35674561 (2022) — Centipede envenomation (Chilopoda): Case report. · Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
15.PMID: 28988115 (2017) — A novel antimicrobial peptide isolated from centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans stimulates neutrophil activity through formyl peptide receptor 2. · Biochemical and biophysical research communications
16.PMID: 35889297 (2022) — Bioactive Peptides and Proteins from Centipede Venoms. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
17.PMID: 26342880 (2015) — A novel antimicrobial peptide, scolopendin, from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans and its microbicidal mechanism. · Biochimie
18.PMID: 23539679 (2013) — Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans protected the cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis by inhibiting high-mobility group box protein-1. · World journal of gastroenterology
19.PMID: 27611363 (2016) — Centipede venoms as a source of drug leads. · Expert opinion on drug discovery
20.PMID: 26947248 (2016) — Two new isoquinoline alkaloids from Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human glioma cancer U87 cells. · Fitoterapia
21.PMID: 25209888 (2014) — Identification of a novel antimicrobial peptide, scolopendin 1, derived from centipede Scolopendra subspinipes mutilans and its antifungal mechanism. · Insect molecular biology
22.PMID: 30273703 (2018) — Centipede envenomation: Clinical importance and the underlying molecular mechanisms. · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
23.PMID: 24464516 (2014) — Isolation and characterization of SsmTx-I, a Specific Kv2.1 blocker from the venom of the centipede Scolopendra Subspinipes Mutilans L. Koch. · Journal of peptide science : an official publication of the European Peptide Society
24.PMID: 35863353 (2022) — Venom resistance mechanisms in centipede show tissue specificity. · Current biology : CB