Kidney Meridian Biomedical & TCM Details

The herbs in Kidney Meridian have been shown to have a broad range of pharmacological activity including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-osteoporosis, anti-diabetic, nephr-, hepato- and neuroprotective functions, antimicrobial activity and effectiveness against metabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. (1, 2, 3, 4)

Many of the herbs in Kidney Meridian show anti-diabetic effects—modulating blood sugar, improving insulin resistance and renal function and protecting the kidneys from damage. Rehmania, Dioscorea, Cortex radicis moutan and Cinnamomi all reduce fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. (5, 9, 7, 8) In animal studies. Dioscorea and Cortex radicis moutan decrease urinary protein and serum creatinine. (6, 7) Rehmania, Dioscorea, Cortex radicis moutan, Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), and Alismatis have anti inflammatory properties and have been shown to slow pathological changes and protect the kidney (1, 3, 6, 9, 10, 11) in animals.

Yin deficiency is a common Chinese medical pattern with deficient heat and dryness seen in menopausal women. Interestingly, many of the herbs in Kidney Meridian have shown positive effects on menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Semen Cuscutae has been shown to increase bone density, improve bone microstructure, and increase bone mass in an osteoporotic model. (12, 13) Random controlled trials (RCT) of Cornelian cherry in menopausal women, was showed to significantly reduce body weight, BMI, LDL to HDL and cholesterol to HDL ratios, fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance. (14)  Another RCT showed decreases in vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes and night sweats) along with increase in estrogen. (15) Rehmanniae (with other herbs) and Poria have been shown to treat osteoporosis in over 100 clinical studies. (16, 17) Cornelian cherry has demonstrated effects in slowing the progression of osteoarthritis by increasing healthy levels of collagen and slowing bone cell death in animal studies. (18)

Several herbs in Kidney Meridian may have positive impacts on fertility in both men and women. Alismatis, Semen Cuscutae, and Cornelian cherry have positive effects on estrogen levels, ovulation and progesterone signaling in animal studies. (17, 18) In male animal studies, Semen Cuscutae and Cornelian cherry were shown to improve sperm concentration and motility, and to improve oxidation status in the testicles. (19, 20)

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine view:

Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia Root, Radix Rehmanniae Preparata) is slightly warm and enters the HT, KI and LIV meridians; nourishes the Blood, Liver and Kidney Yin, nourishes Jing and fills the Marrow, arrests coughing and wheezing.

Shan Zhu Yu (Cornelian cherry, Fructus Corni, Cornus mas) is slightly warm and enters the KI and LIV meridians; stabilizes the Kidney, astringes Jing and Body Fluids, stops excessive sweating, tonifies Liver and Kidney Yin and strengthens Kidney Yang.

Shan Yao (Chinese Yam Rhizome, Dioscorea oppositae) is neutral and enters the KI, LU, and SP meridians; tonifies Spleen, nourishes Stomach Yin, stops diarrhea, tonifies Lung Qi, nourishes Lung Yin, tonifies Kidney Yin and astringes Jing.

Fu Ling (Poira Mushroom, Poria cocos) is neutral and enters the HT, SP, KI, and LU meridians; promotes urination and leaches out Dampness, strengthens the Spleen and harmonizes the Middle Jiao, quiets the Heart, and calms the Spirit.

Mu Dan Pi (Peony Tree Root Cortex, Cortex radicis moutan) is slightly cold and enters the HT, LIV, and KI meridians; clears excess and deficiency Heat, cools and invigorates Blood, clears Liver Fire, drains pus and reduces swelling.

Ze Xie (Water Plantain Root, Rhizoma Alismatis) is cold and enters the KI and BL meridians; promotes urination and leaches out Dampness, settles Ministerial Fire in Kidneys by draining Damp-Heat, drains Kidney Fire.

Rou Gui (Cinnamon Bark, Cortex Cinnamomi) is hot and enters the HT, LIV, KI and SP meridians; warms the Kidneys, Spleen and Heart, strengthens Yang and Ming Men Fire, disperses deep Cold, warms and unblocks the meridians, alleviates pain, leads the Fire back to its source.

Tu Si Zi (Chinese Dodder Seeds, Semen Cuscutae) is neutral and enters the KI and LIV meridians; strengthens Yang, nourishes Yin, astringes Jing and urine and benefits the Marrow, tonifies the Kidney and Liver, benefits the Spleen, stops diarrhea, calms the fetus.

  

References:

  1. Kim, S., Yook, T., Kim, J. 2017. Rehmanniae Radix, an Effective Treatment for Patients with Various Inflammatory and Metabolic Diseases: Results from a Review of Korean PublicationsJ Pharmacopuncture. Jun;20(2):81-88.DOI: 10.3831/KPI.2017.20.010. 
  2. Li, M., Jiang, H., Hao, Y., Du, W., Yang, W., Liang, J., Hu, J., Ma, G. 2022. A systematic review on botany, processing, application, phytochemistry and pharmacological action of Radix Rehmnniae. J Ethnopharmacol. Mar 1: 285:114280, DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114820.
  3. Dong, Y,m Feng, Z., Chen, H., Wang, F., Lu, J.. 2018. Corni Fructus: a review of chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Chin Med. Jun 25; 13:34. DOI: 10.1186/s13020-018-0191-z.
  4. Dinda, B., Kyriakopoulos A., Dinda, S., Zoumpourlis, V., Thomaidis, N., Velegraki, A., Markopoulos, C., Dinda, M. 2016. Cornus mas L. (cornelian cherry), an important European and Asian traditional food and medicine: Ethnomedicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology for its commercial utilization in drug industry. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 4;193:670-690. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.09.042.
  5. Liu, Y., Zhu, R., Liu, B., Wang, W., Yang, P., Cao, Z., Yang, X., Du, W., Yang, Q., Liang, J., Hu, J., Ma, G. 2022. Antidiabetic Effect of Rehmanniae Radix Based on Regulation of TRPV1 and SCD1. Front Pharmacol, May 26, 13:875014. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.875014.
  6. Guo, C., Ding, G., Huang, W., Wang, Z., Meng, Z., Xiao,, W. Drug Des Devel Ther . 2016 Feb 24;10:799-810. DOI: 10.2147/DDDT.S99670.
  7. Zhang, M., Yang, L., Zhu, M., Yang, B., Yang, Y., Jia, X., Feng, L. 2022. Moutan Cortex polysaccharide ameliorates diabetic kidney disease via modulating gut microbiota dynamically in rats. Int J Biol Macromol. May 1;206:849-860.  DOI 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.077.
  8. Halmidpour, R., Hamidpour, M., Hamidpour, S., Shahlari, M. 2015. Cinnamon from the selection of traditional applications to its novel effects on the inhibition of angiogenesis in cancer cells anf prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, and a series of functions such as antioxidant, anticholesterol, antidiabetes, antibacterial, antifungal, nematicidal, acaracidal, and repellent activities. J. Tradit. Complement. Med. 5 (2015) 66-70. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2014.11.008. 
  9. Lee, S., Tsai, C., Chen, J., Lin, C., Hu, M., Lu, S. 2002. Total saponin of Dioscoreae hypoglaucae rhizoma ameliorates streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy. Am J Clin Med. 30(4):609-16. DOI 10.1142/S0192415X02000624.
  10. Zhong, Z., Zhi Y. 2022. [Protective effects of Moutan Cortex polysaccharides components on renal injury in diabetic nephropathy rats]. Pub Mar 17. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.03.077.
  11. Luan, Z., Ming, W., Sun, Z., Zhang, C., Zhou, Y., Zhend, F. , Yang, Y., Guan, Y., Zhang, X. 2021. A naturally occurring FXR agonist, alisol B 23-acetate, protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. Nov 1;321(5):F617-F628. DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00193.2021.
  12. Yang, Y., Wei, Q., An, R., Zhang, H., Shen, J., Qin, X., Hang, X., Li, J., Li, X., Gao X., He, J, Mao, H. 2022. Anti-osteoporosis effect of Semen Cuscutae in ovariectomized mice through inhibition of bone resorption by osteoclasts. J Ethnopharmacol. Mar 1;285:114834. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114834. 
  13. Liu, H., Zhang, H., Fan, H., Tang, S. 2020. The preventive effect of Cuscutae Semen polysaccharide on bone loss in the ovariectomized rat model. Biomed Pharmacother. 2020 Oct;130:110613. DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110613. 
  14. Gholamrezayi, A., Aryaeian, N., Rimaz, S., Abolghasemi, J., Fallah, S., Moradi, N., Taghizadeh, M. 2019. The effect of Cornus mas fruit extract consumption on lipid profile, glycemic indices, and leptin in postmenopausal women- A randomized clinical trial. Phytother Res. Nov;33(11):2979-2988. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6476. 
  15. Rimaz, S., Rahideh, S.T., Abolghasemi, J., Jazayeri, S., Jamshidi, S., Motevalian, M., Solaymani-Dodaran, M., Taghizadeh, M., Gholamrezayi, A., Aryaeian, N. 2023. The effect of Cornus mas fruit extract on vasomotor symptoms and sex hormones in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial. Menopause. Feb 1;30(2):201-207. doi: 10.1097/GME.0000000000002117. 
  16. Liu, C., Ma, R., Wang, L., Zhu, R., Liu, H., Gul, Y., Zhao, Blå Zhao, S., Tang, J., Li, Y., Niu, J., Fu, M., Zhand, D., Gao, S. 2017. Rehmanniae Radix in osteoporosis: A review of traditional Chinese medicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology. J Ethnopharmacol. Feb 23;198:351-362. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2017.01.021.
  17. Hwang, Y.H., Jang, S.A., Lee, A., Kim, T., Ha, H. 2020. Poria Cocos Ameliorates Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice and Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis In Vitro. Nutrients. May 12;12(5):1383. DOI: 10.3390/nu12051383.
  18. Hu, J., Zhou, J., Wu, J., Chen Q., Du, W., Fu. F., Yu, H., Yao, S., Jin, H., Tong, P., Dhen, D., Wu, C., Ruan, H. Loganin ameliorates cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis development in an osteoarthritis mouse model through inhibition of NF-κB activity and pyroptosis in chondrocytes. 2020. J Ethnopharmacol. Jan30;247:112261. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112261.
  19. Irahara, M., Yasui, T., Tezuka, M., Ushigoe, K., Yamano, S., Kamada, M., Aono, T. 2000 Evidence that Toki-shakuyaku-san and its ingredients enhance the secretion of a cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC/gro) in the ovulatory process. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. Dec;22(10):725-30. DOI: 10.1358/mf.2000.22.10.802288.
  20. Lee, J.H., Austin, J.R., Burdette, J.E., Murphy, B.T. 2021. Secoiridoids from Dogwood(Cornus officinalis) Potentiate Progesterone Signaling. J Nat Prod. Sep 24;84(9):2612-2616. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00516.
  21. Zhu, Y., Dong, L., Wang, J., Liu, Q., Tong, H., Li, Y., Guan, S. 2021. Semen Cuscutae-Fructus Lycii improves spermatogenic dysfunction by repairing the blood-testis barrier in rats according to in silico and in vitro methods. J Ethnopharmacol. Jun 28;274:114022. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114022.