Cnidium officinale, commonly known as Shechuangzi in Chinese medicine, is a perennial plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is native to China, Korea, and Japan and is valued for its medicinal properties, particularly in traditional Asian medicine. The plant is distinguished by its umbrella-like clusters of white flowers and aromatic, slender roots.

Botanical Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Apiales
Family: Apiaceae
Genus: Cnidium
Species: C. officinale

Plant Characteristics

Cnidium officinale typically grows to about 0.6 meters in height. It features feathery, compound leaves and clusters of small white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The roots are the most significant part of the plant, used extensively in herbal medicine for their health benefits.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The roots of Cnidium officinale contain several bioactive compounds including coumarins, phthalides, and volatile oils. These compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Coumarins, such as osthol, are particularly noted for their ability to enhance blood flow and improve skin conditions.

How to Cultivate It

To successfully cultivate Cnidium officinale:

1. Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
2. Light: Grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
3. Water: Requires regular watering to maintain consistent soil moisture.
4. Temperature: Thrives in temperate climates and requires protection from extreme cold.

Uses and Benefits

Cnidium officinale is primarily used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine to treat various skin ailments, enhance libido, and improve renal and immune function. It is also used to treat fungal infections, due to its potent antifungal properties.

Applications

• Medicinal: The roots are used in decoctions, powders, and extracts to treat skin conditions, stimulate the immune system, and enhance sexual health.
• Dietary Supplement: Often included in supplements aimed at improving circulatory health and sexual function.
• Cosmetic: Extracts from the roots are incorporated into skin creams and lotions for their anti-inflammatory and antifungal effects.

INCI Functions:

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

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Environmental and Safety Considerations

Cnidium officinale is generally safe for cultivation and use, with no significant environmental threats. However, like many medicinal plants, it should be used under the guidance of a healthcare provider to avoid potential side effects, especially when used in combination with other medications. 

Generally regarded as safe for topical application, however, like all extracts, it should be used in accordance with established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. 

People with allergies or very sensitive skin should be careful. 

It is important to ensure that the extract is sustainably sourced and free from harmful chemicals.

Sustainable harvesting practices are crucial to preserve wild populations and ensure the availability of this valuable medicinal plant.

References__________________________________________________________________________

Lee MJ, Kang MK. Analysis of the Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic, and Antioxidant Activities of Cnidium officinale Extracts. Plants (Basel). 2020 Aug 4;9(8):988. doi: 10.3390/plants9080988. 

Abstract. This study analyzed the antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and antioxidant properties of Cnidiumofficinale (CO) extracts to confirm their antimicrobial activity toward oral microorganisms. The control group contained 0 μg/mL of CO, and the experimental groups contained 50, 100, 150, and 200 μg/mL of CO. To confirm the antibacterial activity of CO extracts against microorganisms in the oral cavity, an inhibition zone test, a colony-forming unit (CFU) analysis, an optical density (OD) evaluation, and a SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis were performed. A cytotoxicity test was also conducted to determine cell viability, and the contents of flavonoids and polyphenols were measured to analyze the extract components. In the control group, the growth inhibition zone increased, while the CFU and OD values decreased (p < 0.05). The SEM analysis confirmed that the number of microorganisms for both the microbes decreased. The cell viability was more than 80% in both the control and experimental groups, excluding the 200 μg/mL sample. The flavonoid and polyphenol contents in the experimental groups showed higher values than those of the control group. Therefore, the CO extract showed considerable antimicrobial activity toward both Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, suggesting that it may be used as a natural antimicrobial agent for dental applications.

Tran HNK, Cao TQ, Kim JA, Youn UJ, Kim S, Woo MH, Min BS. Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale. Arch Pharm Res. 2018 Oct;41(10):977-985. doi: 10.1007/s12272-018-1048-9. 

Abstract. Five new compounds, 9,3'-dimethoxyhierochin A (1), 6-oxo-trans-neocnidilide (2), (±)-(3E)-trans-6-hydroxy-7-methoxydihydroligustilide (3), (±)-cnidiumin (4), and 6-(1-oxopentyl)-salicylic acid methyl ester (5), together with twenty known compounds (6-25), were isolated from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale. The chemical structures of new compounds were established by NMR spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry, Mosher's method, and CD spectrum. Their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 7, 13, and 14 showed inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 5.1, 24.5, and 27.8 μM, respectively. In addition, compounds 7, 13, and 14 reduced LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in a concentration-dependent manner.

Kim TY, Kwon HC, Lee SY, Lee CM, Lee KS, Lee KK. Antibacterial Activity of Senkyunolide A Isolated from Cnidium Officinale Extract. J Cosmet Sci. 2020 Nov-Dec;71(6):377-383. 

Abstract. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of Cnidium officinale hexane (COH) extract and senkyunolide A (SA). The antibacterial activities were measured using the paper disk diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Propionibacterium acnes and Malassezia furfur. COH extract showed antibacterial activity at a concentration of 50 mg ml-1. The MICs of COH and SA were determined using the broth microdilution method. COH was found to be active on all the bacteria tested (10 ≤ MIC ≤ 20 mg ml-1). SA showed antibacterial activity against P. acnes. The anti-inflammatory properties were determined using a pancreatic lipase inhibition activity method, lipoxygenase inhibition activity, and inhibition of nitric oxide production activity. COH and SA inhibited the production of nitric oxide by up to 50 µg ml-1 in a dose-dependent manner. COH and SA possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. They could be used as antibacterial ingredients in various industries.

Lim EY, Kim JG, Lee J, Lee C, Shim J, Kim YT. Analgesic Effects of Cnidium officinale Extracts on Postoperative, Neuropathic, and Menopausal Pain in Rat Models. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019 Jun 16;2019:9698727. doi: 10.1155/2019/9698727.

Abstract. Cnidium officinale, widely cultivated in East Asia, has been reported to exhibit pharmacological efficacy in various disorders. However, little has been reported on its role as a pain killer. In this study, we reveal that the C. officinale extract (COE) has great efficacy as a novel analgesic in various in vivo pain models. Administration of COE attenuated hypersensitivity in all postoperative, neuropathic, and menopausal pain models. Decreased hyperalgesia was confirmed by a mechanical withdrawal threshold assay and ultrasonic vocalization call analysis. In addition, application of COE inhibited the induction of the proinflammatory cytokines and calpain-3 on dorsal root ganglion neurons in a spared nerve injury rat model. Treatment with ferulic acid, which was identified as one of the components of COE by HPLC analysis, alleviated nociceptive behaviors. Our findings suggest that ferulic acid is an active compound from COE, and COE is a potential phytomedical source for pain relief by inhibiting the process of inflammation.