Angelica sinensis, better known as dong quai, is a fragrant perennial plant that has been used for medicinal purposes for more than a thousand years in China, Japan, and Korea. A. sinensis is best known as a traditional treatment for dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menopause, and related conditions in women.
The herb is used throughout the world, including the United States, as an unregulated oral supplement and in some topical multibotanical formulations.
The dried root of A. sinensis is included in several herbal formulations, typically for amenorrhea, endometriosis and premenstrual syndrome, and as a hormone replacement therapy alternative, even though Western medicine has not established whether such indications are appropriate or justified (Integrative Cancer Therapies 2003;2:120-38; Nurse Pract. 1997;22:55-6, 61-6).
Despite numerous anecdotal reports of its effectiveness in exerting estrogenic effects, a study of 71 postmenopausal women showed that A. sinensis alone failed to produce estrogenic effects on endometrial thickness or vaginal maturation. In addition, the herb eased menopause symptoms no better than placebo (Fertil. Steril. 1997;68:981-6).
Although the reported effects of this reputed “women's herb” remain dubious in the West, evidence is increasing that A. sinensis possesses anticarcinogenic properties, which are often associated with antioxidant potential and implications for dermatologic use.
In this vein, the potent antioxidant ferulic acid, which was featured in this column in October 2005, has been identified as a major active component of A. sinensis, along with ligustilide (J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal. 2005;38:664-9).
Antitumor Action
Investigators assessing the antitumor effects, in vitro and in vivo, of a chloroform extract of A. sinensis on glioblastoma multiforme brain tumors reported that the herb strongly inhibits the growth of malignant brain tumor cells, via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction, without damaging fibroblasts.
In vitro, angelica spurred p53-dependent and -independent pathways, resulting in apoptosis. In human DBTRG-05MG and rat RG2 glioblastoma multiforme tumor cells, angelica suppressed malignant growth and reduced tumor volume. Researchers concluded that A. sinensis merits more research and consideration as a potential brain tumor therapeutic agent (Clin. Cancer Res. 2005;11:3475-84).
In a study that assessed the antioxidant activities of three herbs used frequently in traditional Chinese medicine—A. sinensis, Lycium barbarum, and Poria cocos—aqueous extracts of these herbs concentration-dependently displayed antioxidant activities. L. barbarum extract was the strongest, but all the extracts inhibited ferric chloride-ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate in vitro, and demonstrated significant superoxide anion-scavenging activity as well as antisuperoxide formation activity (Phytother. Res. 2004;18:1008-12).
Another study revealed that the total polysaccharide from A. sinensis confers antitumor effects on in vivo murine models and, in vitro, inhibits invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular cancer cells (World J. Gastroenterol. 2003;9:1963-7).
In a study of the effects of 14 commonly used herbs on cellular proliferation and apoptosis of a hepatic stellate cell line in rats, A. sinensis was among five herbs that exhibited both antiproliferative and proapoptotic properties in association with upregulation of Fas and Bax and downregulation of Bcl-xL. Investigators suggested that further research is warranted into the antifibrotic potential of these herbs to promote apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells, which are integral in hepatic fibrosis and are known to possess antifibrotic activity (J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005;100:180-6).
Action in the Skin
Perhaps the evidence providing the most direct link to dermatologic application comes from a study of the effects of A. sinensis on melanocytes and tyrosinase activity. The potent herb was noted for significantly promoting melanocytic proliferation, which substantially increased cell counts, and fostering melanin synthesis and melanocytic tyrosinase activity. Such actions, the investigators concluded, suggest a mechanism that may justify the use of this fragrant botanical in the treatment of skin dyschromias (Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao 2003;23:239-41).
In addition, A. sinensis is an ingredient in Si-Wu-Tang, a traditional Chinese formula used to treat pruritus, chronic skin inflammation, and other conditions (Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2002;25:1175-8).
Gastrointestinal Protection
Polysaccharides isolated from the root of A. sinensis have been found to impart an ulcer-protective effect.
Specifically, angelica extract dose-dependently inhibited various neutrophil-dependent gastrointestinal lesions induced in rats by orally administered ethanol or indomethacin. The investigators concluded that angelica exhibits anti-inflammatory action, and might be effective in preventing neutrophil-dependent gastrointestinal damage (Planta Med. 2000;66:348-51).
Some of the same researchers followed up by demonstrating that A. sinensis extract has a direct wound-healing effect on gastric epithelial cells. The herb significantly promoted epithelial cell migration over an artificial wound, and dose-dependently stimulated DNA synthesis as well as concurrent epithelial growth factor mRNA expression (Life Sci. 2001;68:961-8).
Subsequent research confirmed that A. sinensis crude extract does dose-dependently confer a direct healing effect on gastric mucosal lesions in rats, and it also promotes wound repair in culture (Biochem. Pharmacol. 2001;61:1439-48).