The Anti-Cancer, Analgesic, and Gastric Ulcer Effects of the Herb Sarcandra Glabra (Zhongjiefeng)
Zhongjiefeng (Sarcandra glabra) is a plant of the genus Sarcandra in the Chloranthaceae family; clinically the whole plant or its root is used as medicine. The name Zhongjiefeng (literally "knot-breaking wind") already indicates that its main use is in treating diseases of swollen, painful joints. Zhongjiefeng has many aliases; common ones include: Jiegu Jinlansong, Jiujie Cha, Jiujie Hua, Jiujie Feng, Zhujie Cha, Jiegu Lian, Guanyin Cha, Jiegu Mu, Zhujie Cha, Bajie Cha, Yajiao Jie, Shanniuxi, Zhenzhu Lan, Jiujie Cao, Yedian, Xueshi Cha, Jiegu Dan, Jiegu Cao, Tongjiao Lingxian, Jiujie Lan, Jiegu Cha, and Zhu Cha, among others.
Traditional TCM considers the medicinal nature of Zhongjiefeng to be pungent, bitter, and neutral. Its actions include antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, cooling blood and clearing heat, detoxifying, expelling wind and unblocking the collaterals, and activating blood and dispersing nodules. Clinically it is mainly used for pneumonia, appendicitis, and cellulitis presenting the pattern of exuberant heat-toxin; it is also commonly used as adjunctive treatment for rheumatic impediment pain, traumatic injury, and tumors.
Zhongjiefeng is one of the Chinese herbs with relatively clear anti-cancer activity. Modern pharmacological studies show that the volatile oil and extract of Zhongjiefeng have strong anti-cancer effects against leukemia, lung adenocarcinoma, spontaneous breast cancer, spontaneous ascites carcinoma, Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, sarcoma, and Walker carcinosarcoma. Zhongjiefeng has a good anti-cancer and swelling-resolving effect on digestive tract tumors—gastric cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, and intestinal cancer.
Zhongjiefeng also has a fairly definite clinical effect: its therapeutic action on gastric ulcer. Some researchers treated 50 cases of gastric ulcer with Zhongjiefeng extract tablets (including 13 cases complicated by duodenal ulcer and 8 cases complicated by antral gastritis). The results: 31 cases cured, 8 markedly effective, 7 effective, and 4 ineffective. Generally, improvement was felt 7–10 days after starting medication, with improved appetite and reduced or eliminated pain.
The efficacy of Zhongjiefeng for rheumatic pain and similar conditions is also very clear; it is a famous medicinal in the Chinese materia medica for treating rheumatic pain. The effective rate of treating rheumatic pain with Zhongjiefeng can reach over 70%.
At present, the commonly used clinical preparations of Zhongjiefeng are of three types: decoction pieces, tablets, and injections. The decoction pieces can be included in a TCM decoction prescription and decocted together with the other herbs. The tablets may be taken orally, and the injection may be used for intramuscular injection.