Spleen Meridian Biomedical & TCM Details

Spleen Meridian is comprised of herbs that affect metabolism and the digestive system. The herbs included have a variety of effects on the body including protecting the liver, nerves, stomach and kidneys from damage,  (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). Others have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial actions (1, 4, 8, 10, 12).

Several of the herbs in Spleen Meridian have be shown to have positive effects on metabolism. Studies have shown Codonopsis, Atractylodes, and Poria cocos to significantly reduce fasting blood glucose and serum insulin (9, 11, 12). Codonopsis also increases antioxidant levels, has positive effects on the gut microbiome and acts as a prebiotic (1, 11, 13). Cardamom has been shown to significantly increase insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into cells (15). Atractylodes decreased body weight gain, serum lipid and insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance in animal studies (12). Tangerine peel also reduced body weight, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels (14).

Several of the herbs in the formula have beneficial effects on the stomach. Glycyrrhizae was shown in clinical studies to have anti-ulcer properties, promoting healthy mucus secretion and strengthening the cells of the GI tract (3). A meta-analysis of clinical studies showed tangerine peel effective in the treatment of functional dyspepsia (16). Cardamom has clinical applications for gastritis and H.pylori infection (17), along with gastro-protective effects (5). In animal studies, Auclandiae has been shown to have several beneficial effects on the GI tract including decreasing inflammation, protection of mucus-secreting cells, healing gastric leisons and improving GI motility (6, 7, 18).

In parallel with the Chinese medical theory that “Spleen governs muscle”, some studies have described an impact on muscle tissue. Codonopsis has been shown to increase liver and muscle glycogen providing increased oxygen and energy to the muscles and some studies indicate Atractylodes stimulates mitochondrial function and muscle energy metabolism (1, 8, 19).

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine view:

Dang Shen (Bellflower Root, Radix Codonopsis pilosula) is neutral and enters the LU and SP meridians; tonifies the Middle Jiao and augments Qi, tonifies the Lung, restores the constitution, nourishes the Blood and Body Fluids.

Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes Rhizome, Atractylodes macrocdephala) is warm and enters the SP and ST meridians; tonifies the Spleen and augments Qi, dries Damp and promotes water metabolism, stabilizes the Exterior, stops sweating, and calms the fetus.

Fu Ling (Poria Mushroom Root, Poriae cocos) enters the HT, SP, KI, and LU meridians; promotes urination and leeches dampness, strengthens the Spleen, harmonizes the middle, quiets the Heart, calms the Shen and soothes the nerves.

Sha Ren (Black Cardamom, Villous amomum) is warm and aromatic and enters the SP and ST meridians; promotes the movement of Qi, aromatically transforms Damp, strengthens the Spleen, warms the Middle and stops diarrhea, and calms the fetus.

Mu Xiang (Costus Root, Auclandiae lappe) is warm and enters the GB, LI, SP, ST, and SJ meridians; promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain, regulates stagnant Qi in the intestines, strengthens the Spleen, prevents stagnation, dispels Damp-Heat, and harmonizes the Liver and Spleen.

Chen Pi (Tangerine Peel, Citri reticulatae) is warm and enters the LU, SP and ST meridians; regulates Qi, adjusts the Middle relieves the diaphragm, dries Damp, transforms Phlegm, descends Qi.

Ban Xia (Crow Dipper, Rhizoma Pinellia Preperata) is warm and enters the Lung, Spleen, Stomach meridians; dries Damp and transforms Phlegm, descends rebellious Qi, dissipates nodules and reduces Stagnation, treats sores and reduces swelling.

Gan Cao (Licorice Root, Radix Glycyrrhizae) is warm & neutral-warm enters all 12 meridians; tonifies Spleen, augments Qi, moistens the Lung, resolves Phlegm and stops cough, moderates spasm and alleviates pain, antidote for many toxins, harmonize and guides other herbs.

References:

  1. Luan, F., Ji, Y., Peng, L., Liu, W., Cau, H., Yang, Y., He, X., Zeng, H. 2021. Extraction, purification, structural characteristics and biological properties of the polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula: A review. Carbohydr Polym. Jun 1;261:117863. DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.117863. 
  2. Feifei, L., Liu, B., Li, T., Wu, Q., Xu, Z., Gu, Y., LI, W., Wang, P., Ma, T., Lei, H. 2020. Review of Constituents and Biological Activities of Triterpene Saponins from Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Its Solubilization Characteristics. Molecules 25, 3904. DOI: 10.3390/molecules25173904.
  3. Asl, M., Hosseinzadeh, H., 2008. Review of Phamachological Effects of Glycyrrhiza sp. and its Bioactive Compounds. Phytother. Res. 22, 709-724. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2362.
  4. Yu X., Sun S., Guo Y., Liu Y., Yang D., Li G., Lü S. 2018. Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Chenpi): Botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of a frequently used traditional Chinese medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. Jun 28;220:265-282. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2018.03.031.
  5. Jamal A., Javed K., Aslam M., Jafri MA. Gastroprotective effect of cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum Maton. fruits in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. Jan 16;103(2):149-53. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2005.07.016.
  6. Liu, J., Chen-Shi, H., Liu, C., Chang, C., Chen, Y., Tsai, T. 2021. Anti-inflammatory effects of Radix Aucklandiae herbal preparation ameliorate intestinal mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. May 10;271:113912. DOI :10.1016/j.jep.2021. 113912. 
  7. Yuannan, X., Guo, P., Wnag, Y., Xia, T., Shen, Y., Zhang, Q., Huang, J., Chen, H., Lei, N., Xie, Y. 2020. Effect and mechanism of ethanol extracts of muxiang (Radix Aucklandiae) on gastric ulcers in rats. J Tradit Chin Med. Feb;40(1):59-66. PMID: 32227766.
  8. Xie, Q., Sun, Y., Cao, L., Chen, L., Chen, J., Chenga, X., Wang, C. 2020. Antifatigue and antihypoxia activities of oligosaccharides and polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula in mice. Food Funct. Jul 22;11(7):6352-6362. DOI: 10.1039/d0fo00468e. 
  9. Rios, J., 2011. Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Properties of Poria cocos. Planta Med. May;77(7):681-91. DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1270823
  10. Ji, X., Huang, B., Wang, G., Zhang, C. 2014. The ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of the genus Pinellia. Fitoterapia. 2014 Mar;93:1-17. DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2013.12.010. 
  11. Zhang, Y., Wang, H., Zhang, L., Yuan, Y., Yu, D. 2020. Codonopsis lanceolata polysaccharide CLPS alleviates high fat/high sucrose diet-induced insulin resistance via anti-oxidative stress. Int J Biol Macromol. Feb 15;145:944-949. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.09.185. 
  12. Song, M., Lim, S., Wang, J., Kim, H. 2018. The Root of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi Prevents Obesity and Glucose Intolerance and Increases Energy Metabolism in Mice. Int J Mol Sci. Jan 17;19(1). DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010278.
  13. Cao, L., Du, C., Zhai, X., Li, J., Meng, J., Shao, Y., Gao, J. 2022. Codonopsis pilosula Polysaccharide Improved Spleen Deficiency in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota and Energy Related Metabolisms. Front Pharmacol. Apr 26;13:862763. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.862763. 
  14. Zeng, W., Huang, K., Luo, Y., Li, D., Chen, W., Yu, X., Ke, X. 2020. Nontargeted urine metabolomics analysis of the protective and therapeutic effects of Citri Reticulatae Chachiensis Pericarpium on high-fat feed-induced hyperlipidemia in rats. Biomed Chromatogr. Apr;34(4):e4795. DOI: 10.1002/bmc.4795. 
  15. Kang, Y., Kim, H. 2004. Glucose uptake-stimulatory activity of Amomi Semen in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. J Ethnopharmacol. May;92(1):103-5. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2004.02.003. 
  16. Wang C., Zhu M., Xia W., Jiang W., Li Y. 2012. Meta-analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in treating functional dyspepsia of liver-stomach disharmony syndrome. J Tradit Chin Med. Dec;32(4):515-22. DOI: 10.1016/s0254-6272(13)60063-1.
  17. Suo, S., Lai, Y., Li, M., Song, Q., Cai, J., Zhao, J., Yang, Q., Ung, C., Hu, H. 2018. Phytochemicals, pharmacology, clinical application, patents, and products of Amomi fructus. Food Chem Toxicol. Sep;119:31-36. DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.05.051.
  18. Guo, H., Zhang, J., Gao, W., Qu, Z., Liu, C. 2014. Gastrointestinal effect of methanol extract of Radix Aucklandiae and selected active substances on the transit activity of rat isolated intestinal strips Pharm Biol. Sep;52(9):1141-9. DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2013.879601. 
  19. Song, M., Kang, S., Oh, T., Kumar, R., Jung, H., Park, Y. 2015. The Roots of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi Enhanced Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in C2C12 Myotubes via Mitochondrial Regulation. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015:643654. DOI: 10.1155/2015/643654.