Veronicastrum axillare. Botryopleuron axillare   爬 岩 红 Pá yán hóng, Fu xue cao  Ascites grass, Fishing vine   Family: Scrophulariaceae   
PART USED: Whole plant
Nature: Warm    FLAVOR:  Bitter and acrid
FUNCTIONS
1. Expels gas and detoxifies.[1]
2. Stimulates Blood circulation and reduces swelling, removes necrotic debris and promotes tissue regeneration, knits bones.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Epidemic mumps, infected boils.[1]
2. Ascites.[1]
3. Rheumatoid arthralgia, traumatic injuries.[1]
PREPARATIONS: Decoction. Whole plant 9-15 g for each dose. For external purposes, a suitable amount is used.[1]
HABITAT: Found growing on hillsides and gulley edges.
DESCRIPTION: Perennial herb. Stem: slender and long, upper part vine-like, the upper section rooting wherever it touches the ground. Leaves: alternate, long-oval or long-ovate, margins serrated. Flowers: in autumn, reddish-purple, appearing from leaf axils to form spike inflorescences. Capsule: ovate-rounded.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.  
Research

Veronicastrum axillare Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury via Suppression of Proinflammatory Mediators and Downregulation of the NF- κ B Signaling Pathway
Quanxin Ma, Kai Wang, Qinqin Yang, Shun Ping, Weichun Zhao, Qiyang Shou, Weimin Zhou, Minli Chen
Abstract
Veronicastrum axillare is a traditional medical plant in China which is widely used in folk medicine due to its versatile biological activities, especially for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, the detailed mechanism underlying this action is not clear. Here, we studied the protective effects of V. axillare against acute lung injury (ALI), and we further explored the pharmacological mechanisms of this action. We found that pretreatment with V. axillare suppressed the release of proinflammatory cytokines in the serum of ALI mice. Histological analysis of lung tissue demonstrated that V. axillare inhibited LPS-induced lung injury, improved lung morphology, and reduced the activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in the lungs. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory actions of V. axillare were investigated in vitro. We observed that V. axillare suppressed the mRNA expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in RAW264.7 cells challenged with LPS. Furthermore, pretreatment of V. axillare in vitro reduced the phosphorylation of p65 and IκB-α which is activated by LPS. In conclusion, our data firstly demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effects of V. axillare against ALI were achieved through downregulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing the production of inflammatory mediators.
Mediators Inflamm 2016;2016:7934049. doi: 10.1155/2016/7934049. Epub 2016 Nov 6.
PMID: 27890971 PMCID: PMC5116351 DOI: 10.1155/2016/7934049 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antiinflammatory effects and chemical constituents of Veronicastrum axillare
Cheng-Jian Zheng 1, Xue-Hong Deng, Yu Wu, Yi-Ping Jiang, Jian-Yong Zhu, Lu-Ping Qin
Abstract
Our study aims to ascertain the antiinflammatory activity of Veronicastrum axillare and characterize the bioactive constituents. Antiinflammatory activity of the total extract and different fractions from V. axillare was investigated by employing the xylene-induced mouse ear edema model. As a result, the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction showed the highest antiinflammatory activity in vivo. From the EtOAc fraction and the inactive dichloromethane fraction, a total of five new compounds, axillasides A-C and axillactones A and B, together with four known compounds, procumboside A, buergeriside C1 , indole-3-carboxylic acid and apigenin, were isolated and identified. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of their nuclear magnetic resonance data with those reported in the literature. Procumboside A, a major constituent in EtOAc fraction, showed significant antiinflammatory activity in vivo. Further studies revealed that procumboside A was a potent COX-2 inhibitor, significantly reducing the COX-2 protein level in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.
Phytother Res 2014 Oct;28(10):1561-6. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5168. Epub 2014 May 12. PMID: 24817590 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.5168 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Study on the antiulcer effects of Veronicastrum axillare on gastric ulcer in rats induced by ethanol based on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and endothelin-1 (ET-1)
Yong Du 1, Weichun Zhao, Leilei Lu, Jiayan Zheng, Xishi Hu, Zhehan Yu, Lixin Zhu
Abstract
Objective: To assess whether Veronicastrum axillare (V. axillare) can ameliorate ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions in rats, reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suppress apoptosis and improve local microcirculation disturbances.
Methods: Totally 48 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, eight rats in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with 0.9% normal saline respectively. Rats in the positive group and ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension by intragastric administration respectively. Those in the high dose V. axillare group, the medium dose V. axillare group and the low dose V. axillare group were administrated with V. axillare at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg and 0.7 g/kg by intragastric administration. Gastric mucosal lesions were produced by intragastric administration of absolute ethanol. Water extract of V. axillare was successively injected for 14 d and last day was injected 1 h before ethanol administration. Gastric mucosal ulcer index and ulcer inhibitory rate were counted by improved Guth methods. The tissue sections were made for pathological histology analysis. Also, we measured the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in gastric mucosal, as an index of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis and local microcirculation. Besides, the mRNA contents of TNF-α and ET-1 were measured to verify effects on gene expression by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.
Results: Water extract of V. axillare significantly ameliorated the gastric mucosal lesions induced by ethanol administration (P<0.01). Pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and ET-1 were increased after ethanol administration and significantly reduced by water extract of V. axillare. The expressions of TNF-α and ET-1 mRNA were also be inhibited by water extract of V. axillare.
Conclusion: Current evidences show water extract of V. axillare is effective for defending against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal lesions, significantly inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the expressions of TNF-α and ET-1 mRNA, which may be useful for inhibiting apoptosis and improving local microcirculation.
Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2013 Dec;3(12):925-30. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60180-X. PMID: 24093781 PMCID: PMC3804741 DOI: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60180-X pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Antiulcer effects and mechanism study of Veronicastrum axillare on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats [Article in Chinese]
Gui-fang Shen 1, Wei Guo, Wei-chun Zhao
Abstract
Objective: To study the antiulcer effects and the mechanism of Veronicastrum axillare (Sieb. et Zucc) Yamazaki (VAY) on ethanol induced gastric ulcer rats.
Methods: Totally 48 healthy SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the ranitidine group, the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group, 8 in each group. Rats in the normal group and the model group were administered with normal saline respectively. Rats in the ranitidine group were administered with 0.18% ranitidine suspension (at the daily dose of 0.027 g/kg) by gastrogavage. Those in the high dose VAY group, the medium dose VAY group, and the low dose VAY group were administered with VAY at the daily dose of 2.8 g/kg, 1.4 g/kg, and 0.7 g/kg by gastrogavage, once daily for 14 consecutive days. The gastric ulcer model was established using absolute ethanol after the last gastrogavage. The ulcer index and the ulcer inhibitory rate were compared. The concentrations of malonyldialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the serum and the homogenate of the gastric mucosa tissue were detected.
Results: Compared with the model group, the gastric ulcer index in the rest groups obviously decreased (P < 0.01). The ulcer index was dose-dependent with VAY (P < 0.01), with the highest gastric ulcer index shown in the high dose VAY group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group, the concentrations of MDA and NO significantly increased in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue, the activity of SOD and the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue of rats in the model group significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the MDA concentrations in the serum and the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum NO content increased, the NO content in the gastric mucosa tissue decreased, the serum SOD activity increased, the EGF content in the gastric mucosa tissue increased in the rest groups, all showing statistical difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
Conclusions: The water extract of VAY had significant effects on ethanol induced gastric ulcer. Its mechanisms might lie in reducing the generation of free radicals, promoting the oxygen free radical clearance, restraining lipid peroxidation, regulating and controlling the in vivo contents of NO and EGF.
Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi . 2012 Oct;32(10):1370-3. PMID: 23163149 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov