Sha Ren

Generic name: Amomum Villosum Lour., Amomum Xanthioides Wall. Ex Baker
Brand names: Amomum Fruit, Bastard Cardamom, Chun Sha Ren, Fructus Amomi, Malabar Cardamom, Tavoy Cardamom, Yang Chun Sha

Usage of Sha Ren

Allergic reactions

Animal data

In a murine model, anal administration of sha ren inhibited compound 40/80–induced reactions and histamine release.(Kim 2007) Sha ren extract also attenuated nasal inflammation by restoring Th1/Th2 balance and downregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-KB) phosphorylation in ovalbumin-induced allergic rhinitis in mouse models.(Fan 2022)

Antibacterial effects

Animal and in vitro data

Sha ren essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, EscheriChia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes.(Natta 2008) A study examining the antimicrobial mechanism showed that A. villosum essential oil causes metabolic dysfunction in methicillin-resistant S. aureus, leading to reduced reactive oxygen species levels, disruption of the tricarboxylic acid cycle, inhibition of adenosine triphosphate synthesis, and suppression of the activities of key enzymes.(Tang 2021)

Antioxidant/Anti-inflammatory effects

Animal and in vitro and ex vivo data

In one study, 16 Chinese medicinal herbs were extracted and prepared as tonic soups to investigate antioxidant activity compared with ascorbic acid and butylated hydroxytoluene. Sha ren was among the 3 herbs possessing the highest antioxidant activity, as measured in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrozil and ferric reducing antioxidant power assays.(Guo 2008)

Activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway by A. villosum extract suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress both in vitro and ex vivo. These results show that A. villosum ethanol extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophages.(Lim 2020)

In a mouse model of atopic dermatitis, an extract of A. xanthoides reduced inflammation via several pathways.(Choi 2017)

Diabetes

Animal data

One study investigated the protective effect of sha ren extract against alloxan-induced diabetes in mice. Results indicated that the extract provides a protective effect against NF-KB activation, which is considered a primary determinant in the progression of diabetes.(Park 2001)

Clinical data

A single-blind, randomized, crossover study assessed postprandial blood insulin and blood glucose responses in 40 healthy subjects after consumption of A. villosum water extract (AVE) (5 g per person) or placebo (5 g per person). AVE intake resulted in a significant (67.26%) decline in postprandial blood glucose AUC0–120 minute versus placebo (P=0.011). Furthermore, AVE reduced postprandial blood insulin AUC0–120 minute by 59.95% compared with the placebo group (P<0.003), supporting the blood glucose results. Effects were due in part to inhibition of alpha-glucosidase and glucose transport.(Kim 2020)

Estrogenic effects

In vitro data

In an in vitro yeast model system, an A. xanthioides extract possessed estrogenic effects at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL.(Kang 2006)

GI effects

Animal and in vitro data

In a murine model, an ethanolic extract of sha ren inhibited ethanol-induced gastric lesions as well as the growth of Helicobacter pylori. The butanol fraction at 350 mg/kg and a subfraction were the most effective at inhibiting gastric lesions, also causing a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability in gastric cancer cell lines.(Kim 2007) In vitro evidence also suggests that total flavonoids from A. villosum may be a good candidate in the development of new drugs for the treatment of gastric cancer.(Yue 2021) The effect of water extracts and volatile oil from A. villosum significantly attenuated intestinal inflammation associated with inflammatory bowel disease in rats.(Chen 2018) Volatile oil from Amomi fructus has been shown to attenuate 5-fluorouracil–induced intestinal mucositis in rats.(Zhang 2017)

Clinical data

In a randomized, controlled comparator trial in 80 Chinese adults with H. pylori–positive mild to severe chronic gastritis, significantly improved clinical efficacy was observed in sha ren–treated patients compared with those treated with triple therapy (amoxicillin, bismuth, tinidazole); effective rate was 88.1% versus 78.9%, respectively (P<0.01). Sha ren volatile oil extract was administered orally as 0.5 mL (0.1 g of crude drug/mL) 3 times daily. After 4 weeks of therapy, 33% of patients were cured with sha ren volatile oil versus 23% of triple therapy controls. H. pylori seronegative conversion was not significantly different between the 2 groups (radical eliminating rate of H. pylori, 76% vs 66%, respectively). Analysis of the expression of mastocarcinoma-related peptide (PS2), platelet activating factor, and gastric membrane phospholipids revealed significant improvements with sha ren extract compared with controls (P<0.01 each).(Huang 2008)

Hepatic disease

Animal data

A methanol fraction of A. xanthoides attenuated elevated bilirubin, liver tissue hydroxyproline, and malondialdehyde levels in a rat model of thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis. Additionally, the methanol fraction of A. xanthoides attenuated expression of platelet-derived growth factor-beta, inducible nitric oxide synthase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and hepatocyte growth factor.(Wang 2011) The volatile oil of A. villosum administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats also inhibited nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via the gut-liver axis.(Lu 2018)

Obesity/Weight loss

Animal and in vitro data

In a murine model, sha ren extract as well as 6-paradol, the pungent component of sha ren, activated thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Additionally, 6-paradol was absorbed in the intestines of rats without desensitization to the effects. The authors concluded that 6-paradol could be considered a lead molecule for weight loss indications.(Iwami 2011)

Sha Ren side effects

Information regarding potential adverse reactions is limited.

Before taking Sha Ren

Avoid use. Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

How to use Sha Ren

Clinical trial data are lacking to support specific dosing recommendations for sha ren.

Warnings

Toxicology information is limited.

What other drugs will affect Sha Ren

None well documented.

Disclaimer

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