鸡骨草 / 雞骨草 — Abrus cantoniensis Hance

Pinyin: Jīgǔcǎo · Malay: Daun Manis / Akar Kancil · Family: Fabaceae (豆科)

Energetics

Cool (凉)

Flavor

Sweet, slightly bitter (甘、微苦)

Meridians

Liver (肝), Gallbladder (胆), Stomach (胃)

Traditional Edict

Soothes the Liver and stops hypochondriac pain (疏肝止痛), clears toxic heat (清热解毒), drains dampness and relieves jaundice (利湿退黄). Prescribed for acute/chronic icteric hepatitis, Liver-Qi stagnation, cholecystitis, and contusions.

Cautions & Contraindications

Mature seed pods must be removed to avoid toxic lectin trace. Contraindicated in severe Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold without damp-heat.

Clinical Applications

Acute viral hepatitis A & B, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), elevated AST/ALT transaminases, cholelithiasis, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Quality Markers

Total Abrisaponins & Abrusosides >= 1.2%

Mechanism & Phytochemistry

1. Abrusosides A-D and Abrisaponins I & II preserve hepatic glutathione (GSH), scavenge ROS, and suppress CCl4-induced lipid peroxidation. 2. L-Abrine & Hypaphorine block IkBa phosphorylation and NF-kB p65 nuclear translocation, lowering TNF-a and IL-6. 3. Flavonoid glycosides (vicenin-2, luteolin) stimulate biliary flow.

Preparation & Dosage

Clean dried whole vine with roots (mature seed pods stripped and discarded). Decoct 45-60 minutes. Standard dosage: 15-30 g daily (up to 60 g in acute hepatitis).

Appended Prescriptions

1. Canton Liver-Clearing Decoction with Artemisia capillaris (Yin Chen), Gardenia, and Curcuma wenyujin. 2. Daily Liver-Soothing Tea with Poria and Red Dates.

Enter your email to unlock the full clinical data and formulation notes.

No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only