Fallopia multiflora (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) K. Haraldson

Protologue: Acta Univ. Upsal. serie Symb. Bot. Upsal. 22(2): 77 (1978).

Family: Polygonaceae

Chromosome number: 2n= 22, (40, 60)

Synonyms

• Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. (1784).

Vernacular names

• Fleece flower (En)
• Laos: manh one ling
• Vietnam: hà thủ ô, hà thủ ô dỏ.

Origin and geographic distribution

Fallopia consists of about 9 species from the northern temperate region. F. multiflora originates from China and is widely cultivated and naturalized in Japan, Taiwan and Vietnam, and to a lesser extent in Laos and Thailand.

Uses

The rhizome of F. multiflora is the most used part, it is bitter with a sweet aftertaste. It is astringent and warming. The fresh rhizome is widely used in China and Japan as a laxative and antiseptic for boils. A decoction of the rhizome is taken for renal or hepatic insufficiency, anaemia, hyperglycaemia, leucorrhoea, neurasthenia, chronic malaria, tumours, piles, nervous disorders, night sweats from weakness and colds, fatigue, exhaustion, scrofula and impotence. The rhizome is also an excellent tonic for the liver, kidneys and bones. It is used as a medicine to give long life, increase vigour and promote fertility. In Vietnam, the whole plant is widely used, and is especially valued by older people in the treatment of premature grey hair, blurred vision, lassitude of loins and legs and spermatorrhoea. In Indo-China, the rhizome is used as a tonic and a treatment for cholera. In Peninsular Malaysia, a decoction of the rhizomes is given to women after childbirth. If the rhizomes are taken for a long time, the hair and beard turn black.

Production and international trade

The rhizomes of F. multiflora are traded in China and Japan, and are found on Chinese markets in Peninsular Malaysia.

Properties

The rhizome contains 1.7% of total anthraquinones, e.g. emodin, chrysophanol, rhein, and physcion. These compounds are well-known laxatives: in the colon, they are reduced to their anthrone form which acts directly on the large intestine to stimulate peristaltis. An ethyl acetate extract of the aerial parts yielded a fraction which contains anthraquinones as well. In vitro, this fraction produced a dose-dependent protection against myocardial ischemia-reperfusium injury in isolated rat hearts, associated with an enhancement in myocardial glutathione antioxidant status.

Several stilbenes have been isolated from the rhizomes of F. multiflora: rhapontin (4'-methoxy-3,3'5-trihydroxystilbene-3β-D-glucoside) and 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2β-D-glucoside. These compounds, together with isolated E-3-butylidene-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-6,7-dihydroxy-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone showed an inhibitory effect on the enzyme calmodulin-depleted erythrocyte calcium-dependent ATPase in vitro.

The water and ethanol extract of the aerial parts showed a marked antimutagenic action against benzo[a]pyrene and 3,9-dinitrofluoranthene. The tannins and related compounds epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, and epicatechin gallate, strongly inhibited the mutagenicity of benzoapyrene in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with S9 mix. The extracts were also tested in vivo. F344/DuCrj male rats were given a subcutaneous benzopyrene injection, and were then given a water extract of F. multiflora for 50 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the tumour incidence was significantly reduced in favour of the extract. Additionally, a rhizome extract exhibits inhibitory effects on liver enlargement and triglyceride accumulation of mice induced by CCl₄, cortisone acetate and thioacetamide.

Other pharmacological effects of F. multiflora rhizomes include inhibition of the growth of Streptococcus aureus by an aqueous extract, and a significant protective effect against liver and brain monoamine oxidase in senescence-accelerated mice in vivo by an ethanol extract. The dried aerial parts extract is patented in Japan as a food additive, to improve liver functions.

Description

• A perennial, dioecious, scandent herb, stems elongate, 1-3(-7) m long, glabrescent; rhizome thick, brown, red inside.
• Leaves alternate, simple, ovate, 3-6 cm × 2.5-4.5 cm, base cordate, apex acuminate, margins entire; petiole long, ocrea rather short, membranaceous.
• Inflorescence an axillary or terminal panicle, many-flowered.
• Flowers actinomorphic, 1.5-2 mm long, perianth segments 5, outer perianth segments becoming winged in fruit, white; pedicel present; male flowers with 8 stamens, base enlarged; female flowers with ovary superior, styles 3, stigmas capitate.
• Fruit a glossy nutlet covered by the perianth, broadly obovate to suborbicular, 7-8 mm long, 3 prominent wings abruptly decurrent on the pedicel.
• Nutlet acutely trigonous, 2.5 mm long, dark brown.

Growth and development

In Japan and Vietnam, F. multiflora flowers from August to October, and fruits from November to December.

Other botanical information

Fallopia is closely related to Polygonum and Persicaria. The genus Reynoutria is now treated as a section of Fallopia.

F. japonica (Houtt.) Ronse Decr. (synonym Polygonum cuspidatum Siebold & Zucc.) is a close relative of F. multiflora. It originates from China and Japan, but has been widely introduced into other temperate regions as an ornamental climber. In Chinese medicine, it is well known as a laxative and an anticancer drug.

Ecology

F. multiflora prefers sunny habitats with enough moisture, and tolerates shade and drought, but no flooding. It is commonly found in secondary forest or savanna.

Propagation and planting

In China and Japan, F. multiflora is mainly propagated through stem cuttings and rhizomes. Stem cuttings 30-40 cm long and rhizomes 3-5 cm long are commonly used. The optimum growing temperature is 25-27°C. In Vietnam, the best time for planting F. multiflora is March-April, but August-September is possible as well.

Husbandry

F. multiflora will produce many rhizomes when grown in sandy to light-clay, fertile soils with pH of 6.5-7. During planting time, stable manure or NPK fertilizer is applied.

Harvesting

In Vietnam and China, rhizomes of F. multiflora are harvested at the beginning or end of the cold season, 2-3(-5) years after planting or from the wild.

Yield

In Vietnam, F. multiflora produces 1.5-3 t/ha, after 3-5 years.

Handling after harvest

Rhizomes of F. multiflora can be used fresh or dried. In Vietnam, various methods are used to preserve rhizomes and stems. Rhizomes are cut into small pieces and simply dried in the sun. In a more elaborate method, stems or rhizomes are cut into small pieces and soaked overnight in water with black beans. The next day the pieces are dried in the sun. This is repeated 9 times. This method can be extended, so that after soaking, the pieces and black beans are cooked in water till the water has evaporated. This is also repeated 9 times. In China, rhizomes are dried or treated with wine and black soya bean juice for preservation.

Genetic resources and breeding

No germplasm collections of F. multiflora are known to exist. It is threatened by overexploitation and conservation measures are urgently needed. Breeding programmes are being developed in China and Japan.

Prospects

F. multiflora contains anthraquinones which might be of interest, for example in the production of laxatives, or local use. It also shows potential as a liver protecting product, which is patented. F. multiflora is a promising crop for South-East Asia, which is not difficult to plant as it is relatively easy to propagate.

Literature

• Liu, C., Zang, Q. & Lin, J., 1992. Effect of the root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and its processed products on fat accumulation in the liver of mice. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih 17(10): 595-596. (in Chinese)
• Nguyen Thi Hanh & Nguyen Nghia Thin, 1998. Diversity of genetic resources of Thai ethnic people at Mon Son commune, Con Cuong district, Nghe An province. Pharmaceutical Journal 6: 10-12.
• Perry, L.M., 1980. Medicinal plants of East and Southeast Asia. Attributed properties and uses. MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States & London, United Kingdom. p. 320.
• Ronse Decraene, L.-P. & Akeroyd, J.R., 1988. Generic limits in Polygonum and related genera (Polygonaceae) on the basis of floral characters. Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 98: 321-371.
• Yang, X., 1996. Effect of ethanolic extract from root tuber of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. on liver and brain monoamine oxidase in senescence-accelerated mice in vivo. Chung Kuo Chung Yao Tsa Chih 21(1): 48-49. (in Chinese)
• Yim, T.K., Wu, W.K., Mak, D.H. & Ko, K.M., 1998. Myocardial protective effect of an anthraquinone-containing extract of Polygonum multiflorum ex vivo. Planta Medica 64(7): 607-611.

Other selected sources

• [215] Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1948—1976. The wealth of India: a dictionary of Indian raw materials & industrial products. 11 volumes. Publications and Information Directorate, New Delhi, India.
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• [363] Grech, J.N., Li, Q., Roufogalis, B.D. & Duck, C.C., 1994. Novel Ca2+-ATPase inhibitors from the dried roots of Polygonum multiflorum. Journal of Natural Products 57(12): 1682—1687.
• [388] Haraldson, K., 1978. Anatomy and taxonomy in Polygonaceae subfamily Polygonoideae. Acta Universitatis Upsaliensis Symbolae Botanicae Upsaliensis 22(2): 3—88.
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• [734] Nguyen Nghia Thin, Nguyen Thu Hien & Do Thi Ha, 1998. Diversity of medicinal plants traditionally used by Dzao ethnic people at Ba Vi, Ha Tay province. Forest Revue 9: 59—61.
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• [792] Pham Hoang Ho, 1991—1993. An illustrated flora of Vietnam. 3 volumes. Mekong Publisher, Montreal, Canada.
• [978] Ta Quang Nhiem, 1984. "Ha thu o" (Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.) in Vinh Phu province. Tap chi Duoc hoc [Journal of Pharmacy] 1: 12—14. (in Vietnamese)
• [1097] Yan, X., Zhou, J., Xie, G. & Milne, G.W.A. (Editors), 1999. Traditional Chinese medicines - molecular structures, natural sources, and applications. Ashgate Publishing Limited, Aldershot, United Kingdom. 1024 pp.

Authors

• Nguyen Nghia Thin