What Is Cistanche Deserticola?

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Rong Xu. Jun Chen. Shi-Lin Chen. Tong-Ning Liu. Wei-Cheng Zhu. Jiang Xu

Abstract Cistanche deserticola Ma (Orobanchaceae) is known in Chinese as Rou Cong rong, considered as an endangered wild species and adapted to arid or semi-arid areas. This species is traditionally used in China and Japan as a tonic. It has been found as a new cultivated plant in several plantations in north-western China over the past decade. The objective of this study was to introduce the new crop plant to the world. Information on taxonomy, distribution, cultivation, genetic diversity, etc. is reported in this paper. The crop may be of interest for regions, where the rainfall is low and the soil desertification is serious.

Keywords Cistanche deserticola, Cultivation, Genetic diversity, Germplasm resources, Neglected crop.

Introduction

Cistanche deserticola is a perennial phanerogamic plant of family Orobanchaceae, genus Cistanche Hoffmgg. et Link, which is obligate-parasitic in the roots of perennial plant Haloxylonammodendron(C. A.Mey.) Bunge (Ma 1960; Ma 1980; Zhang 1998). The species has been traditionally used in China and Japan as a medicinal plant for a long time and is being developed into a new crop plant for the deficiency of wild resources. According to the definition by Hammer et al. (2001), Cistanche deserticola is a neglected and underutilized crop on a global level but is still being used in those areas where it is well adapted and competitive. Relatively little scientific attention concerning conservation has been given to the species, which hinders its development and sustainable utilization. However, Cistanche deserticola is believed to have significant potential in terms of contributing to local and national health needs. It can become a perspective crop species with appreciable development potential. Thus, the research of C. deserticola genetic resources and their effective use should be promoted. The overall aim of this paper was to promote general awareness of C. deserticola to scientists worldwide and to develop a general strategy on how to deal with the precious species.

Description and discussion

Short description (see also Ma 1960; Ma 1980 and Zhang 1998): Herbs 0.4–1.6 m tall. Stems unbranched or 2–4-branched, 2–10 cm in diam. Leaves on the lower part of stem ovate or triangular-ovate, 0.5–1.5 9 1–2 cm; leaves on upper part lanceolate or linear-lanceolate,

2–4 cm 9 5–10 mm, glabrous. Inflorescences spicate (Fig. 1 d), 15–50 cm; bract sub-equalling corolla, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, along with bractlets and corolla sparsely pubescent abaxially; bractlets ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, sub-equalling calyx. Calyx campanulate, 1–1.5 cm; lobes 5, ca. 2.5 9 3–5 mm. Corolla pale yellow-white or pale purple (Fig. 1 e), becoming brown when dry, tubular-campanulate, 3–4 cm, apex 5-lobed; lobes 4–6 9 6–10 mm. Filaments 1.5–2.5 cm, base villous; anthers long ovoid, 3.5–4.5 mm, densely villous, base

mucronate. Ovary ellipsoid, ca. 1 cm. Style glabrous, usually persistent; stigma subglobose. Capsule ovoid-globose, 1.5–2.7 9 1.3–1.4 cm (Fig. 1 f). Seeds ellipsoid or ovoid, 0.6–1 mm (Fig. 1 g). Fl. May–Jun, fr. Jun–Aug. 2n = 40*.

Fig 1. Cistanche pictures

Taxonomy and similar species

Cistanche deserticola is known in Chinese as Rou Cong rong, which refers to the fleshy nature (Rou) of the part used and to its leisurely effects (Cong rong), which is smooth, not harsh in tonifying the kidneys. It is also called Cong rong, Cun rong, Rou song wrong, and Di jing in Chinese; da Yun in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Regions and Zagan gojo in Mongolian. Its English name is Desertliving Cistanche and the name of the drug is Herba Cistanche.

This species has been indicated for several decades as the primary source material of the Herba Cistanche in ‘‘The Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China’’ (PRC 1963; PRC 2005). However, the herbs of the same Genus also can be used as adulterant medicine. These alternative species most of which have more diverse hosts parasitize different plants. C. tubulosa (Schenk) R. Wight which parasitizes several kinds of Tamarix plants is mainly distributed and has been cultivated in southern Xinjiang of China. C. salsa (C. A. Mey.) G. Beck which parasitizes Kalidium spp., Nitraria spp., and Salsola Passerina Bunge is most similar to C. deserticola in drug effect but smaller in size. It is used by the Japanese more than other adulterants. A newly found variety of C. salsa was named C. salsa var. albiflora P. F. Tu et. Z. C. Lou (Tu et al. 1994). C. Sinensis G. Beck which parasitizes Reaumuria, Ammopipanthus, and Potaninia plants is only used in the local area. All the species of Cistanche, and the entire plant family to which they belong (Orobanchaceae), are parasitic: they lack chlorophyll and get their nutrients and water from other plants.

Harvest and processing

The scale-leaf-bearing fleshy stems of C. deserticola are dug out and gathered when the inflorescence sprouts have not come out of the ground or just come up. They are collected usually in spring, and sometimes in autumn when the cracks on the ground caused by the growth of C. deserticola can be found. Then the inflorescences are removed to prevent the transforming of the active ingredients, for the inflorescences will continue growing after being dug out. At last, the stems are in whole or cut into sections, slices, and other shapes, dried in the sun or in the oven. Because the herb material which is only in its crude form (e.g., sliced stems) is restricted in international trade (PRC 2003), products such as its extracts and prepared formulas that include the herb are also manufactured in China to export. Seeds of C. deserticola are harvested in late June or early July when the capsules turn brown. The inflorescences with nearly ripe seeds are collected and dried in the sun in order to make the seeds come off from the capsules. The seeds can be kept refrigerated for several years, while the germination rates remain high. On-farm fresh stems yields of 0.2–2.2 t ha-1 and seed yields of 0.8–10 kg ha-1 were estimated.

Distribution and uses

Cistanche deserticola is found in Northwest China and the Republic of Mongolia. Inner Mongolia is the top native producing area of the species where the quantity of the drug is the best of all. The TCMGIS-I (suitability evaluation geographic information system of traditional Chinese medicine producing area) designed by Sun et al. (2006) was used to analyze the appropriate producing area of C. deserticola based on the optimum ecological factors of the traditional

producing areas by Chen et al. (2007a). The results showed that the total suitable producing area of C. deserticola in China was 675 354.9 km2 and distributed mainly in Aalashan League of Inner Mongolia, east part of northern Xinjiang, nor Gansu and the middle part of Ningxia (Fig. 2). The results match up to the traditional producing area of C. deserticola recorded in ancient literature and the successful cultivation areas nowadays.

Cistanche deserticola is a famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), named ‘‘Desertliving Ginseng’’. ‘‘Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica’’ and ‘‘Compendium of Materia Medica’’ recorded that the herb could be used as a tonic (Tu et al.1994). It is recorded that C. deserticola can be used for the treatment of deficiency of the kidneys manifested as impotence, seminal emission, and general weakness with the lassitude of the loins and knees, constipation due to

dryness in the intestines, and frigidity and infertility (PRC 2005). As well, the drug has marked activities in free radical scavenging and anti-aging (Li et al. 1997). At present, the preparations consisting of C. deserticola cover tablets, pills, powders, capsules, and oral liquids for the treatment of sexual function obstruction, sperm acrasia, cataract, constipation, etc. The fresh stems or dried slices can be soaked in wine to make a ‘‘tincture’’ of excellent health wine. Several kinds of tea and wine productions have been found on the market recently.

Fig.2 Distribution of Cistanche in China

Conservation and agriculture research

Like many other species of TCM, C. deserticola is now almost extinct in wild habitats due to over-collecting. In 1992, the first volume of China. Plant Red Data Book listed C. deserticola as a ‘‘second grade’’ nationally protected plant (Fu 1992). As well, it was placed on the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Appendix II (PRC 2003). The demand in the international market for C. deserticola has grown much more quickly in recent years. The Chinese government has realized this and encouraged farmers to grow C. deserticola to meet the demand of the market. Interviews on television, the internet, and newspaper articles led to more information on C. deserticola and the increasing interest of growers in this unique crop. It is known that the best method of conservation is to cultivate this crop more abundantly.

Artificial propagation of Cistanche deserticola got success in the Alashan League of Inner Mongolia at the beginning of the 1980s (IMPD 1991). Wild and cultivated C. deserticola are both found in arid or semi-arid areas (Fig. 3). The species prefers fine sandy and slightly alkaline soil with changing seasons, plenty of sunlight, and sharp temperature difference between day and night. Its propagation is made through seeds in spring or summer and crop harvesting in the autumn or early spring of the next few years after sowing. Different vegetation periods of cultivated C. deserticola are shown in Fig. 1. Recently, more and more researchers have focused on the biology characters and cultivation techniques (Liu and Fang, 2003; Chen et al. 2004; Chen et al. 2007b). In Japan, C. deserticola and its host were also planted in the experimental sand field in Nagano by Tomari et al. (2003). Before sowing, the seeds of C. deserticola should be stored in a low temperature at 4℃ for about 3 months after harvest to break dormancy (Niuet al. 2006). However, if the parasitic root is well protected after the fleshy stem is dug out and with a small part left on the parasitic root, new shoots of C. deserticola can be produced by vegetative propagation. The detailed information on cultivation practices was described by Me et al. (2006).

C. deserticola is difficult to cultivate because it is a parasite. Moreover, both its host and itself are perennial plants which means generous first-phase investment, especially when attempting to grow them on a large scale. However, during the past decades, several big plantations have come upon the great expanse of desert in northwestern China (Table 1).

Ningxia Yongning Plantation of Herb Cistanche, which host plants were all planted in rows (Fig. 3b), is one of the original plantations for Herb Cistanche in China. Many kinds of germplasm have been collected and preserved in the Plantation during the last ten years. The area of host plants of some plantations in Inner Mongolia and Xinjiang also includes the wild resources of H. ammodendron. The production of the plantations remains uncertain, but it can be stepped up year by year. As a result, the plantations will have a lasting impact on the conservation of genetic resources to some extent.

Fig.3 Cistanche deserticola and its host Haloxylon

A comprehensive characterization of crop germplasm including knowledge of the genetic diversity is critical to the improvement of the quality and productivity of crops. The genetic diversity of the cultivated germplasm can be affected by selection pressure, genetic drift, and the relatedness of ancestors with unknown pedigrees. It was reported that wild populations of C. deserticola from Xinjiang and Alasan League of Inner Mongolia had been separated into two different ecotypes (Cui et al. 2004). As well, Xu et al. (2007) have carried out an AFLP analysis to study the genetic diversity of wild and cultivated C. deserticola. The study showed a lower genetic diversity in the cultivated population than in any wild population. It implies that the collection amount of germplasm should be enlarged and collection populations should be genetically distant from each other.

Conclusions

This neglected crop may be of interest to the broad arid regions with little rainfall and desertification soil all over the world. However, the perspective crop species merits further research on the germplasm resources and cultivation techniques. An intensive continued financial support is also needed for doing the research and establishing the plantations. We believe that domestication of the endangered plant is also the best measure of conservation and sustainable utilization of Cistanche deserticola.

References:

Chen J, Liu TN, Zhu XH, et al (2004) Occurrence and control of pests about Cistanche deserticola and its hosts. China J Chin Materia Med 29(8):730–733 (in Chinese)

Chen J, Xie CX, Chen SL, et al (2007a) Suitability evaluation of Cistanche desertion a based on TCMGIS-I. China J Chin Mater Med 32(14):1396–1401 (in Chinese)

Chen J, Yu J, Xu R et al (2007b) Study on reproduction biology of Cistanche deserticola – seedling emergence and flowering. China J Chin Mater Med 32(17):1729–1732 (in Chinese)

Cui GH, Chen M, Huang LQ, Xiao SP, Li D (2004) Study on genetic diversity of Herba Cistanches by RAPD. China J Chin Mater Med 29(8):727–730 (in Chinese)

Fu LK (1992) China plant Red Data Book–Rare and Endangered Plants. Science Press, Beijing and New York, p 502

Hammer K, Heller J, Engels J (2001) Monographs on underutilized and neglected crops. Genet Resour Crop Evol 48:3–5. doi:10.1023/A:1011253924058. Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese