Internationalization Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Cistanche Extract
May 24, 2023
Abstract: Dodder is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant with pharmacological properties such as liver protection, enhanced immunity, and improved intelligence. It has been widely used in China. With the acceleration of economic globalization and the rapid expansion of the traditional Chinese medicine market, the demand for Dodder Extract internationalization is increasing. This article introduces the pharmacological effects, chemical composition, and extraction process of Dodder, analyzes the current situation and problems of Dodder extract internationalization, and proposes ways and strategies to promote Dodder extract internationalization.
Desert ginseng
Keywords: Dodder; extract; internationalization; pharmacological effects; chemical composition
1、 Overview of Cistanchedeserticola
Cistanche deserticola is a rootless vine plant belonging to the dodder family, commonly known as sheep antler grass. The main producing areas of Cistanche deserticola are Northeast, North China, Northwest, and Southwest China, and its most important producing area is Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in Jilin Province. The historical use of Cistanche deserticola can be traced back over 2000 years to the ancient Chinese medicine book "Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing". In the Compendium of Materia Medica, it is recorded that Cistanche deserticola has a bitter and sweet taste, a warm nature, and belongs to the liver, kidney, and spleen meridians. It has the effects of tonifying the liver and kidney, supplementing qi and blood, and consolidating astringent essence.
Cistanche powder
Modern pharmacological research has found that Cistanche deserticola contains various active ingredients, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, terpenoids, etc. These ingredients endow Cistanche deserticola with various pharmacological effects, such as protecting the liver, enhancing immunity, and improving intelligence. Therefore, Cistanche deserticola is widely used to treat diseases such as liver and kidney deficiency, immune dysfunction, and spleen deficiency. In recent years, with the rapid expansion of the traditional Chinese medicine market, the international demand for Cistanche deserticola extract has become increasingly high.
2、 Chemical Constituents of Cistanche deserticola
Cistanche deserticola contains various active ingredients, including polysaccharides, flavonoids, terpenoids, etc.
Main Chemical Constituents of Cistanche deserticola
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（1） Polysaccharides
Cistanche deserticola polysaccharides are one of its main active components. Polysaccharides can promote the phagocytosis of macrophages and improve immunity. Research has shown that the polysaccharides in Cistanche deserticola have various pharmacological effects such as regulating the body's immune response, and antioxidant, anti-tumor, and antiviral effects.
（2） Flavonoids
The flavonoids in Cistanche deserticola mainly include lignans, apigenin, and corneal. Flavonoids have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Research has shown that flavonoids in Cistanche deserticola can have significant protective effects on spinal cord injury, liver injury, and other injuries.
（3） Terpenoids
The terpenoids in Cistanche deserticola mainly include α- Pinene β- Pinene, Cardamone, etc. Terpenes have various pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, etc. Research has shown that terpenoids in Cistanche deserticola can significantly inhibit tumors and protect the heart.
3、 Extraction process of Cistanche deserticola
Main Chemical Constituents of Cistanche deserticola
Cistanche deserticola extract can be extracted through different processes such as water extraction, alcohol extraction, and ultrasound. Among them, water extraction is the most commonly used extraction method.
（1） Water extraction method
The water extraction method involves grinding Cistanche deserticola into powder, then boiling it with water to extract water-soluble organic compounds from it. This method is simple to operate and low in cost, but the extracted substance content is relatively low.
（2） Alcohol extraction method
The alcohol extraction method involves dissolving Cistanche deserticola powder in organic solvents such as ethanol and methanol to extract its components. This method has a good extraction effect, but the cost is high, and attention needs to be paid to the safety of organic solvents.
（3） Ultrasonic extraction method
The ultrasonic extraction method involves mixing Cistanche deserticola powder with organic solvents such as water and alcohol, and accelerating the dissolution and diffusion of the extract through ultrasonic heating, shaking, and other effects. This method has fast extraction speed and high efficiency, but the equipment cost is high.
4、 The current situation and existing problems of internationalization development of Cistanche deserticola extract
（1） Current situation
Cistanche deserticola extract is an important traditional Chinese medicine extract that has been widely used in the international market. Cistanche deserticola extract can be applied in various fields such as health products, cosmetics, medicine, etc. According to market research reports, Asia is the main demand market for Cistanche deserticola extract, followed by the North American market. In the European market, the demand for Cistanche deserticola extract is relatively low, but due to the rapid growth of the Chinese herbal medicine market, the demand for Cistanche deserticola extract in the European market is expected to increase in the future.
Cistanche extract powder
（2） Existing problems
There are some problems with Cistanche deserticola extract in the international market, mainly including the following aspects:
1. The quality standards are not unified. Due to inconsistent standards in different countries and regions, there are significant differences in the quality of Cistanche deserticola extract, which seriously affects its international market competitiveness.
2. Technical bottlenecks. At present, there are still some bottlenecks in the extraction technology of Cistanche deserticola. The extraction effect is unstable, the extraction amount is low, and the product cost is high.
