Pinyin: Xishuguo
Aliases
Hanlian, Shuitongshu, Yebajiao, Qianzhangshu
Source
Nyssaceae plant *Camptotheca acuminata*Camptotheca acuminataDecne. dried ripe fruit.
Botanical Description
Deciduous tree, 20-25 m tall. Bark gray. Leaves alternate, papery, long-ovate, 12-28 cm long, 6-12 cm wide, apex acuminate, base broadly cuneate, margin entire or slightly undulate. Upper surface bright green, lower surface pale green, sparsely pubescent, denser along veins. Flowers unisexual, monoecious, numerous in globose heads, female flowers terminal, male flowers axillary; bracts 3, pubescent on both sides; calyx 5-lobed, margin ciliate; petals 5, pale green, densely pubescent externally; disc slightly lobed; male flowers with 10 stamens in two whorls, outer whorl longer; female flowers with inferior ovary, style 2-3-lobed. Achene narrow-oblong, 2-2.5 cm long, apex with persistent style, with narrow wings. Flowering period April to July, fruiting period October to November.
Habitat and Distribution
Grows at forest edges and beside streams, and is cultivated in courtyards and along roadsides. It is distributed in the Southwest and in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, and other regions.
Harvesting and Processing
Fruits are harvested when ripe from October to November, then dried in the sun.
Medicinal Properties
Fruit lanceolate, 2-2.5 cm long, 5-7 mm wide, apex pointed with remains of stigma; base narrowed, showing elliptical concave scars from attachment to the disc, with wings on both sides. Surface brown to brownish-black, slightly lustrous, with longitudinal wrinkles, sometimes with several angular ridges and black spots. Texture tough, not easily broken, fracture fibrous, containing one seed, dried and contracted into a slender strip. Odor: faint; Taste: bitter.
Chemical Constituents
This product mainly contains camptothecin, camptothecine, 10-hydroxycamptothecin, 10-methoxycamptothecin, betulinic acid, and vindoline lactam among other components.
Pharmacology
Anti-tumor; has inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation; anti-early pregnancy; inhibits herpes virus.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, acrid, and cold; toxic. Enters the Spleen, Stomach, and Liver channels.
Functions and Indications
Clears Heat and resolves toxicity, dissipates masses and eliminates abdominal masses
Dosage and Administration
Oral administration: decoct in water, 3-9 g; or grind into powder for swallowing, or prepare as injection or tablet.
Precautions and Contraindications
Internal use should not be excessive.
Prescriptions
1. For gastric cancer, rectal cancer, liver cancer, and bladder cancer: Xishuguo (fruit of *Camptotheca acuminata*) ground into powder, take 6 g once daily. (*Bianzheng Shizhi*) 2. For leukemia: Xishuguo (fruit of *Camptotheca acuminata*) 30 g, Xianhecao (herb of *Agrimonia pilosa*) 30 g, Luxiancao (herb of *Pyrola calliantha*) 30 g, Yanzhu (unidentified herb) 30 g, Yinhua (flower of *Lonicera japonica*) 30 g, Fengweicao (herb of *Pteris multifida*) 30 g, Gancao (root of *Glycyrrhiza uralensis*) 9 g. Decoct and take as tea. (*Bencao Pianbi*)
