General

Scientific Names: Ligustrum lucidum Ait. Chinese Privet, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi.

Common Names: Nu Zhen Zi, Glossy Privet Frivet Fruit, Dong Qing, La Shu.

BOTANICAL:

For over 1,000 years Chinese Privet has been used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-tumor, cardio-tonic, diuretic and tonic properties. In traditional Chinese medicine the leaves are used to treat cold, congestion, fever, pain, abscesses, headache, swelling, vertigo, and broken bones. The fruit of Privet is used as a general tonic and is said to invigorate, brighten the eyes, and drive out diseases. Chinese herbalists believe ligustrum has several anti-aging effects, such as reversing graying hair and restoring firmness to the skin and youthfulness to the body.

常绿大灌木或小乔木，高达10m余。树干直立，树皮灰绿色，光滑不裂；枝条开展，平滑而具明显的皮孔；冬芽腋生，卵状，外具2鳞片。叶对生，革质；叶柄长1～2cm；叶片卵形至卵状披针形，长6～14cm，宽4～6cm，先端急尖或渐尖，基部宽楔形或近于圆形，全缘，上面深绿色，有光泽，下面淡绿色，密布细小透明腺点；主脉下凹，侧脉5～10对。圆锥 花序 顶生，长5～10cm，直径8～17cm；苞片叶状，着生于 花序 下部的侧生 花序 梗之基部，线状披针形；花芳香，密集，几无梗；花萼及花冠钟状，均4裂，花冠白色；雄蕊2，着生于花冠管喉部，花药丁字形着生，花丝细，伸出花冠外；雌蕊1，略伸出花冠外，子房上位，球形，2室，每室具1胚珠，花柱细长，柱头2浅裂。 浆果 状核果，长圆形，略弯，长约1cm，直径3～4mm，熟时蓝黑色。花期6～7月，果期8～12月。

果实卵形、椭圆形或肾形，长6～8.5mm, 直径3.5～5.5mm。 表面黑紫色或灰黑色， 皱缩， 基部有果梗痕或具宿萼及短梗。体轻。外果皮薄，中果皮较松软，易肃离，内果皮木质，黄棕色具纵棱， 种子1～2粒， 肾形， 紫黑色， 油性。 无臭， 味甘而微苦涩。

生于温暖潮湿的地区或山坡向阳处。常栽植于庭园或田埂旁。

分布于河北、河南、山西、山东、江苏、浙江、安徽、江西、福建、台湾、湖北、湖南、广东、广西、陕西、甘肃、云南、贵州、四川等省区。

Pharmacology

Chemical components:
Oleanolic acid, acetyl-oleanolic acid, and ursolic acid etc. are the chief components.

化学成分 　含女贞子甙（nuzhenide）、洋橄榄苦甙(oleuropein)、齐墩果酸（oleanolic acid）、4-羟基-B-苯乙基-B-D-葡萄糖甙、桦木醇（betulin）等。

1. Kikuchi M, et al., [Studies on the constituents of Ligustrum species. XIX. Structures of iridoid glucosides from the leaves of Ligustrum lucidum AIT]. Yakugaku Zasshi. 1999 Jun; 119(6): 444-50. Japanese.
2. Shi L, et al., Quantitative determination of salidroside and specnuezhenide in the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait by high performance liquid chromatography. Biomed Chromatogr. 1998 Jan-Feb; 12(1):27-30.
3. Shi LF, et al., [Isolation and identification of two new secoiridoids of water-soluble chemical constituents from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait].Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1997 Jun;32(6):442-6. Chinese.
4. Khoo KS, et al., Extract of astragalus membranaceus and ligustrum lucidum does not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Singapore Med J. 1995 Aug; 36(4): 387-90.
5. Rittenhouse JR, et al., Chinese medicinal herbs reverse macrophage suppression induced by urological tumors. J Urol. 1991 Aug; 146(2): 486-90.
6. Wang J, et al., [Chemical constituents of the flower of Ligustrum lucidum Ait.].Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1990 Mar; 15(3): 168-70, 191. Chinese.
7. Sun Y, et al., Immune restoration and/or augmentation of local graft versus host reaction by traditional Chinese medicinal herbs. Cancer. 1983 Jul 1; 52(1): 70-3.
8. Sun Y, et al., Preliminary observations on the effects of the Chinese medicinal herbs Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum on lymphocyte blastogenic responses.J Biol Response Mod. 1983; 2(3): 227-37.
   
   
   
   

Efficacy

Cardiotonic, anti-tumor, laxative, diuretic, nutritive, anti-bacterial, immune stimulant (stimulates phagocytosis), parasympathetic nervous system stimulant, vision restorative, anti-oxidant, aging retardant, anti-allergic, stimulates leukocyte production, anti-inflammatory.

The fruit of Chinese Privet, in combination with other herbs, is used to help treat hepatitis, kidney problems, tinnitis, vertigo, cataracts, and rheumatic pains. It is also for premature menopause, backache, and insomnia. Scientific research has found this plant to be effective in treating respiratory tract infections, hypertension, and Parkinson's disease. Other scientific studies have shown that Chinese Privet increases the white blood cell count, which can help prevent bone marrow loss in cancer chemotherapy patients, and recent studies have also shown that Chinese Privet, when combined with Astragalus, can provide increased immunity that is being used during standard cancer therapy. （Although this is questionable.)

抗癌作用： 女贞子水浸剂60g/kg灌胃，每日一剂，对小鼠子宫颈癌（U14）抑制率为49.2%；但对肉瘤（S180）和淋巴肉瘤（L1）腹水型无效；水浸剂能抑制动物某些移植性肿瘤的生长。体外筛选对肿瘤细胞有抑制作用。

IN VITRO:

1. Hsieh TC, et al., Effects of herbal preparation Equiguard on hormone-responsive and hormone-refractory prostate carcinoma cells: mechanistic studies. Int J Oncol. 2002 Apr; 20(4): 681-9.
2. Khoo KS, et al., Extract of astragalus membranaceus and ligustrum lucidum does not prevent cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Singapore Med J. 1995 Aug;36(4):387-90.
   
   

IN VIVO:

1. Lau BH, et al., Chinese medicinal herbs inhibit growth of murine renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Biother. 1994 Summer; 9(2): 153-61.

Safety

Caution is advised in the use of Chinese Privet, since the fruits are toxic when eaten in quantity. It can cause gastrointestinal upset. Safety in young children and pregnant or nursing women is not known.