Corydalis Sp. - Corydalis

Family: Papaveracea - Poppy Family (Previously in Fumariaceae) ^[E-flora]

Local Species;

1. Corydalis scouleri - Scouler's corydalis ^{[E-flora][PCBC]}
2. Corydalis sempervirens - Pink corydalis ^[E-flora]

Corydalis scouleri - Scouler's corydalis

Other Names: Scouler's fumewort ^[E-flora]

• "General: Perennial herb from a thick rhizome; stems erect, hollow, simple or branched, 0.4-1.2 m tall." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Leaves: Stem leaves alternate, much divided, ultimate segments oblong-elliptic to lanceolate, rounded, 2-8 cm long, 5-12 mm wide." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Flowers: Inflorescence of axillary or terminal racemes with 15-35 flowers; corollas pink, 20-30 mm long; spurs 12-20 mm long, narrowing at the tip." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Fruits: Podlike capsules, egg- to pear-shaped, 10-15 mm long, 3-4 mm wide, bursting explosively when ripe; seeds 4 mm long, black, shiny." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Habitat / Range Moist woodlands, forests and streambanks in the lowland zone; rare on S Vancouver Island; S to N OR." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]} "common in the Washing- ton and Oregon portion of our region, rare on southern Vancouver Island." ^[PCBC]
  

Origin Status: Native ^[E-flora]

Phytochemicals

"Examination of this plant has disclosed the presence of ten alkaloids, five of which, namely, protopine (0.15%), cryptopine (0.004%), α-allo-cryptopine (0.001%), bicuculline (0.20%), and scoulerine (0.06%) are well known. A sixth proved to be identical with capnoidine (0.002%), an alkaloid hitherto found only in Corydalis sempervirens. Two of the remaining four, corlumine (0.12%) and corlumidine (0.02%), have been adequately characterized as phthalide isoquinolines and their respective constitutions determined in whole or in part. The last two appear to be new and are designated by Greek letters, namely, -η (0.002%), m.p. 180 ^oC., probably isomeric with adlumine and corlumine, and -θ (0.002%), m.p. 183 ^oC., C16H17O3N. The yield of pure crystallized total alkaloids was 0.56%." ^{[Manske,1936]}

References

1. [DukePyto] Duke Phytochemical Database, James A. Duke, Accessed Feb , 2014, http://www.ars-grin.gov/duke/plants.html (old address) https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/search (current)
2. [E-flora] https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Corydalis%20scouleri&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed Jan 25, 2015; May 6, 2021
3. [Manske,1936] THE ALKALOIDS OF FUMARIACEOUS PLANTS: XIII. CORYDALIS SCOULERI Hk., Richard H. F. Manske October 1936 , Canadian Journal of Research 04/2011; DOI:10.1139/cjr36b-040

Corydalis sempervirens - pink corydalis

Other Names: Rock harlequin ^[E-flora]

• "General: Biennial herb from a fleshy taproot; stems 1 to several, erect, branched above, glabrous, 20-80 cm tall." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Leaves: Stem leaves alternate, long-stalked, divided 3-5 times, ultimate segments oblong to narrowly elliptic, abruptly pointed, 2.5-5.0 mm wide, glabrous, with a bloom." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Flowers: Inflorescence of terminal racemes with 3-10 flowers; corollas pink with yellow tips, 10-17 mm long; spurs 2-4 mm long, round-tipped." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Fruits: Capsules, 30-45 mm long, up to 2 mm wide, constricted between the seeds, straight or curved; seeds 1.5 mm long, black, shiny." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]}
• "Habitat / Range Mesic to dry meadows, forest openings and burned or disturbed sites from the lowland and steppe to the lower subalpine zones; infrequent throughout BC except absent on the Queen Charlotte Islands; N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to GA, MN and MT." ^{[IFBC-E-flora]} "it is scattered from low to middle elevations from southwestern B.c. to the Skeena-Nass area, also in Prince William Sound, but it is absent from the Queen Charlotte Islands and outer mainland coast." ^[PCBC]

Medicinal Use

• "Hemorrhoid Remedy Compound decoction of plants taken and used as a wash for piles. (87:339)" ^{[Moerman NAEth]}

Phytochemicals

• "Corydalis sempervirens has yielded bicuculline, bicucine,cryptopine and, as in the case of other fumaraceous plants, protopine. A new alkaloid. C19H17O6N(?), which has been named capnoidine appears to be isomeric with adlumidine but is not identical with it. A very small amount of an unidentified base melting at 201 ^oC. was also obtained." ^{[Manske,1933]}
  
• Adlumidiceine was also isolated from C. sempervirens along with (-)-adlumine, bicuculine, capnoidine, protopine, oxysanguinarine and coptisine. Furthermore, a crystalline product, a mixture in the ratio of about 1: 1 of adlumidiceine, contained a substance which we named adlumiceine. ^{[Preininger,1973]}
  
• "Adlumine, bicuculine and capnoidine (phthalide-isoquinoline type) and protopine were previously isolated from European C. sempervirens (Preininger et al., 1973). The protoberberine type isoquinoline alkaloids scoulerine and tetrahydropalmatine were previously detected in C. claviculata (Blaschke and Scriba, 1985) and C. aurea (Smith and Lewis, 1990), respectively. Corydalis spp. are clearly a rich source of isoquinoline alkaloids. These alkaloids also mediate chemical defense against a variety of microorganisms and herbivores (Schmeller et al., 1997)" ^[Majak&Bai]
  
• "The co-occurrence of feruloyl amides and isoquinoline alkaloids in C. sempervirens suggests that this plant is well adapted for chemical defense against predation. The total isoquinoline alkaloid levels in C. sempervirens exceeded 0.3% of the dry matter, which should be a cause for concern if the plant is suspected to be toxic to herbivores." ^[Majak&Bai]

Synonyms

• Capnoides sempervirens (L.) Borkh. ^[E-flora]

References

1. [E-flora] https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Corydalis%20sempervirens&redblue=Both&lifeform=7, Accessed Jan 25, 2015; May 6, 2021
   

Journals:

1. [Preininger,1973] Preininger, Vladimír, et al. "Adlumidiceine and adlumiceine: new alkaloids of narceine type." Phytochemistry 12.10 (1973): 2513-2515.
2. [Manske,1933] THE ALKALOIDS OF FUMARACEOUS PLANTS: VI. Corydalis sempervirens (L.) PERS. Richard H. F. Manske, Canadian Journal of Research, 1933, 8(4): 407-411, 10.1139/cjr33-037
3. [LGNH] Let's Get Natural with Herbs, By Debra Rayburn, 2007 Ozark Mountain Publishing, Huntsville AZ
4. [Majak&Bai] Phenolic amides and isoquinoline alkaloids from Corydalis sempervirens, Walter Majaka, Yili Baia, Michael H Bennb, a Range Research Unit, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Kamloops, B.C., Canada, Chemistry Department, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada, Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, Volume 31, Issue 6, June 2003, Pages 649–651

Uses of Related Sp.

"They have been used in history as an analgesic, sedative, antispasmodic and the plant does have hallucinogenic properties that will slow the heart rate and dilate the bronchials. Some varieties of Corydalis have been used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease." ^[Voyageur]
"The Corydalis plants contain a narcotic alkaloid and should be avoided as an edible or medicinal plant by the lay person." "Extreme caution should be applied to the consumption of this plant and is not recommended." ^[Voyageur]

Toxicity

Corydalis "A variety of toxic isoquinoline alkaloids including apomorphine, cularine, protoberberine alkaloids are present in all parts of the plant [1 ]. Either individually or in combination the alkaloids have neurologic effects through their antagonistic action on the neurotransmitter gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) [1,2]. The alkaloids cause muscle tremors and seizures depending upon the quantity consumed. Similar isoquinoline alkaloids are found in the related genera Dicentra (bleeding heart), Papaver (poppies) and Fumaria (fumitory)." ^[DP1]

"Poisoning is most likely to occur in livestock grazing the plants. However, Corydalis species are becoming more popular as garden ornamentals and therefore they pose a risk to household pets." ^[DP1]

"Recent lists of poisonous plants do not recognize Corydalis spp. as being toxic. Kingsbury (1964) reviewed earlier studies in Nevada that demonstrated the toxicity of C. caseana to cattle and sheep. The toxicity was associated with the alkaloidal fraction composed primarily of isoquinolines. More recently, the isoquinoline alkaloids in C. aurea (golden corydalis) have also been implicated in cattle poisoning in Western Canada (Smith and Lewis, 1990)." ^[Majak&Bai]

Usage of Related Sp.

Corydalis cava

"Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. & Körte This species is accepted, and its native range is Europe to Caucasus." ^[KEW-1]

Phytochemicals

"A new benzyldihydroisoquinoline alkaloid (1) was isolated from the tubers of Corydalis cava and named corylucinine. Additionally, 8-trichloromethyl-7,8-dihydropalmatine (2), an isolation artifact of tetrahydropalmatine, was obtained... Both compounds were tested for human blood acetylcholinesterase (HuAChE) and human plasma butyrylcholinesterase (HuBuChE) inhibitory activity. In comparison with the used standards, both compounds showed only moderate inhibitory activity against HuAChE (IC50,. HuAChE = 127.6 +/- 5.2 microM for 1, and IC50, HuAChE = 82.9 +/- 3.9 microM for 2) and none against HuBuChE." ^{[Novak et al.,2012]}

Synonyms

Bulbocapnos cavus Bernh. Bulbocapnos tuberosus Spach Capnites cava (L.) Dumort. Capnoides cava Moench Corydalis albiflora Kit. Corydalis pseudocava Pant. Corydalis stummeri Pant. Corydalis tuberosa DC. Fumaria albiflora Kit. Fumaria bulbosa var. cava L. Fumaria cava Mill. Fumaria major Roth Fumaria media DC. Pistolochia cava Bernh. ^[WFO-1]

Root

• "Flavor: Bitter/pungent" ^[LGNH]
• "Properties: Alterative, analgesic, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue, hallucinogen, hypnotic, hypotensive, narcotic, sedative, tonic, tranquilizer, and vasodilator" ^[LGNH]
• "Discussion: May cause blood vessel dilation; enhance cardiovascular system, liver, and lungfunctions; induce sleep; inhibit motor activities; promote urine flow; reduce blood pressure levels; reestablish healthy system functions; restore normal tone to tissues; stimulate menstruation and peristalsis." ^[LGNH]
• "Cautions/Contraindications: Avoid use if pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid single use of this herb. Combine it with skullcap or valerian. Not for long-term use. Use with professional guidance/supervision." ^[LGNH]
• Herb/Drug Interactions: This herb could cause an interaction (possibly severe) when taken with Anxiolytic and hypotensive drugs. ^[LGNH]
• "Preparations/Dosage: "Crude Herb: 3-12 grams. Decoction: 1/2-1 cup per day. Tincture: 5-20 drops (0.333-1.25 cc.)." ^[LGNH]

Corydalis yanhusuo

"Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H.Chou & Chun C.Hsu) W.T.Wang ex Z.Y.Su & C.Y.Wu This species is accepted, and its native range is S. China." ^[KEW-2]

"Corydalis yanhusuo, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used in China as an analgesic for patients with terminal cancer.... The constituents of C. yanhusuo were first investigated for their inhibitory effects on angiogenesis, using several bioassays, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation. To determine the active antiangiogenic compounds in C. yanhusuo, we studied the antiproliferative activities of several main constituents of C. yanhusuo, which belong to a group of protoberberine alkaloids, on HUVECs and identified berberine as a powerful angiogenesis inhibitor in C. yanhusuo. Both C. yanhusuo extract and its active compound berberine significantly suppressed the VEGF-induced upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) at both mRNA and protein levels. Their functional effects, including the inhibition of MMP2, were shown to be involved VEGF-triggered ERK1/2 pathways. Our findings provide novel insights into the antiangiogenic effects of C. yanhusuo and berberine, and offer scientific evidence for their traditional clinical application as a cancer treatment." ^{[Gao et al.,2009]}

For Clarification: It's not specified in the notes below, but the following two species, according to World Online Flora, are to be recognized as two distinct species. I will look further into the matter. ^{[Personal Note]}

• Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. & Körte is an accepted name - 2/3 confidence ^[WFO-1]
• Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H.Chou & Chun C.Hsu) W.T.Wang ex Z.Y.Su & C.Y.Wu is an accepted name 2/3 confidence [WFO-2]

Corydalis (Yan-Hu-Suo) - Corydalis cava

"Habitat: The plant is indigenous to southern and central Europe." ^[PDR]

Hazards

• "Poisonings among humans have not yet been observed." ^[PDR]
  
• "Clonic spasms with musculature tremor occur with overdosages." ^[PDR]
• "Corydalis yanhusuo is traditionally contraindicated for use during pregnancy (Tierra 1998; Zhong, Wiseman, Ellis 1996), but serious side effects have been clinically reported. Chronic intake in adults results in hepatotoxicity. Adverse effects include neurological, respiratory, and cardiac depression (Lai, Chan 1999; Horowitz, Feldhaus, Dart et al. 1996)." ^[PHVBH]
• "C. yanhusuo should be used with caution in patients diagnosed with hypothyroid disease." ^[PHVBH]

Medicinal Use

• "Parts: The medicinal parts are the tubers collected and dried when the plant is dormant. The fresh tuber collected just before flowering is also used." ^[PDR]
  
• Production: "Corydalis tubers are the rhizomes of Corydalis cava. The tubers are dug up in autumn or in spring, once the ground has thawed. They are thoroughly cleaned, the roots and greenery are removed, and the remainder is sliced. The material is dried in a well-aired place, turned regularly and kept in temperatures not exceeding 40^oC" ^[PDR]
• Medicinal Use
  
  • "The tuberous rhizome is the medicinal part of the plant, which is collected either during fall dormancy or just prior to blooming in the spring. The rhizome becomes hollow as the season progresses (PDR 2000; Tierra 1998). North American varieties include Corydalis canadensis (Turkey Corn) and Corydalis aurea (Scrambledeggs)." ^[PHVBH]
  • "Unproven Uses: Formerly, Corydalis was used for hyperkinetic conditions. Today, it is occasionally used for treat melancholia, pathological neuroses and mild forms of depression, as well as for severe nerve damage, trembling limbs and emotional disturbances." ^[PDR]
    
  • "Folk medicine: Corydalis was used in the past for worm infestation, menstruation disorders, Menier's disease and Parkinson's. Externally, the plant was used for poorly healing wounds and ulcers." ^[PDR] "Native Americans also used Corydalis species for a variety of purposes. For example, the Navajo used C. aurea as an antidiarrheal, disinfectant, analgesic, and antispasmodic. The Ojibwa used smoke from the root to revive patients and to clear the head (Moerman 2002)." ^[PHVBH]
    
  • "Homeopathic Uses: Used for inflammations of the respiratory tract and the eyes, rheumatism, hyperorexia, diarrhea and furunculosis" ^[PDR]
    
• Dosage
  
  • "Mode of Administration: The drug is available as a full extract in ready-made preparations." ^[PDR]
    
  • "Daily Dosage: Externally: as a compress, 3 to 5 gm of drug to 1/8 Liter of water." ^[PDR]
    
  • "Homeopathic Dosage: Oral: 5 drops, 1 tablet or 10 globules every 30 to 60 minutes (acute) or 1 to 3 times daily (chronic); parenterally: 1 to 2 ml sc acute: 3 times daily; chronic: once a day; eye drops 1 to 3 times daily; liquid dilutions D2 to D6: 20 to 60 drops; D12 to D30: 15 to 45 drops (HAB1)." ^[PDR]

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

"Corydalis yanhusuo (Yan hu suo, Corydalis cava, Squirrel Corn, Corydale à bulbe creux) is a European perennial that has been integrated into the traditional Chinese system of healing. It has become an important herb in TCM, influencing its name change, and is therefore included in this section." ^[PHVBH]

"In TCM, Yan hu suo is Warm in energy and considered to be Pungent and Bitter in flavor. It affects the Heart, Liver, Lung, and Stomach channels and is classified as a Blood-rectifying herb. Yan hu suo is used as an analgesic, to invigorate the Blood, and to circulate qi. Traditionally, C. yanhusuo was used for the treatment of traumatic injury, dysmenorrhea, postpartum complications and complaints, chest pain, intestinal spasm, hyperactivity, menstrual disorders, internal parasites, and skin infection (PDR 2000; Tierra 1998; Zhong, Wiseman, Ellis 1996)." ^[PHVBH]

"Availability The daily human dose is 3 to 9 g of dried Corydalis root in decoction, powders, and pills (Tierra 1998; Zhong, Wiseman, Ellis 1996). It may be used raw to stimulate Blood stasis or stir-fried with vinegar to move qi and relieve abdominal pain (Tierra 1998; Zhong, Wiseman, Ellis 1996)." ^[PHVBH]

Phytochemicals

"Compounds include a complex mixture of at least forty isoquinoline alkaloids (e.g., corytuberin, corydalin, bulbocapnine), which are typical of the Papaveraceae (PDR 2000; Preininger, Thakur, Santavy 1976). A neuroactive alkaloid DLtetrahydropalmatine (tetrahydropalmatine, THP) has become of particular interest in research."^[PHVBH]

"Isoquinoline alkaloids: very complex, breed-specific mixture of approximately 40 alkaloids, including (+)-bulbocapnine and (+)-corytuberin (aporphine-type) as well as (-)- corydaline (berberine-type)" ^[PDR]

Pharmacology

"The full extract has a mildly sedative, sleep-inducing, spasmolytic, tranquilizing and hallucinogenic effect. It suppresses the CNS, reduces blood pressure and impedes movement of the small intestine." ^[PDR]

"CNS Effects The mechanisms of action of Corydalis spp. remain unclear, although a number of neurotransmitter systems appear to be affected. In one study, C. yanhusuo demonstrated a significant impact on morphine withdrawal symptoms in rats, suggesting an opioid mechanism and its potential benefit in the treatment of morphine addiction (Yang, Kwok 1986). An opioid mechanism was also suggested by its modulation of enkephalins (Reimeier, Schneider, Schneider et al. 1995)." ^[PHVBH]

"In a recent Turkish study (Orhan, Sener, Choudhary et al. 2004), Corydalis solida showed potent inhibition of butylcholinesterase and suggests the potential of a cholinergic mechanism in C. yanhusuo."^[PHVBH]

Combination (California Poppy): "Aqueous extracts derived from C. yanhusuo were shown to enhance adrenaline levels; Eschscholzia californica, another member of the Papaveraceae family, extract inhibited the degradation of catecholamines. The combination of these two herbs is thought to result in a synergistic mechanism that maintains high catecholamine levels and explains the sedative, antidepressant and hypnotic activities of this herbal formula (Kleber, Schneider, Schafer et al. 1995)." ^[PHVBH]

Protoberberine type 2 alkaloids, but not protoberberine type 1 alkaloids, were recently shown to possess a selective affinity in binding to the GABAA receptor"^[PHVBH]

"(Halbsguth, Meissner, Haberline 2003). GABAergic mechanisms characterize benzodiazepine activity as well and may shed additional light on the anxiolytic effects claimed for C. yanhusuo." ^[PHVBH]

C. yanhusuo is now recognized as a mild sedative, hypnotic, spasmolytic, and hallucinogenic herb that is used to treat neuroses, mild depression, emotional disturbances, and Parkinson’s-like symptoms (PDR 2000). A commercial preparation, marketed in Europe for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia and containing C. yanhusuo (20%) and Eschscholzia californica (80%), has confirmed sedative properties (Schafer, Schafer, Schneider et al. 1995)." ^[PHVBH]

Tetrahydropalmatine

"Tetrahydropalmatine (THP) has been isolated from a variety of Corydalis species, including Corydalis ambigua, as well as from other herbs (Stephania spp.). It has analgesic, sedative, tranquilizing, and hypnotic effects by dopamine pathways (Zhu 1991). THP may also have anticonvulsant properties through inhibition of amygdaloid dopamine release (Lin, Wang, Young 2002; Chang, Lin 2001). THP demonstrated an anxiolytic effect in mice that was attributed to benzodiazepine sites at the GABAA receptor (Leung, Zheng, Huen et al. 2003)." ^[PHVBH]

"Tetrahydropalmatine also has antioxidant effects (Ng TB, Liu F, Wang 2000; Yang, Jiang, Tang et al. 2000) and possesses an antithyroid effect comparable to that of propylthiouracil, possibly through inhibition of the pituitary’s release of thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) (Hsieh, Wu 1996).^[PHVBH]

"Tetrahydropalmatine has become more popular as a recreational drug. A purified, concentrated preparation of THP containing between 500 and 1700 mg of THP has been associated with at least one suicide and numerous pediatric poisonings. THP is classified as a controlled substance and is banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as well as in other countries (Lai, Chan 1999; Horowitz, Feldhaus, Dart et al. 1996)." ^[PHVBH]

References

• [Gao et al.,2009] Gao JL, Shi JM, Lee SM, Zhang QW, Wang YT. Angiogenic pathway inhibition of Corydalis yanhusuo and berberine in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Oncol Res. 2009;17(11-12):519-26. doi: 10.3727/096504009789745575. PMID: 19806782.
• [Jepson] Gary L. Hannan & Curtis Clark, 2012. Corydalis, in Jepson Flora Project (eds.) Jepson eFlora, http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/get_IJM.pl?tid=10450, accessed on Mar 7 2014
• [KEW] The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Selected Plant Families 2021. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/, Accessed May 7, 2021
  • [1] http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:672129-1, Seregin, A.P. (2014). Flora of Vladimir Oblast, Russia: grid data analysis: 1-441. KMK schientific press, Moscow.
  • [2] http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:929107-1, Wu, Z. & Raven, P.H. (eds.) (2008). Flora of China 7: 1-499. Science Press (Beijing) & Missouri Botanical Garden Press (St. Louis).
• [Novak et al.,2012] - Novák Z, Chlebek J, Opletal L, Jiros P, Macáková K, Kunes J, Cahlíková L. Corylucinine, a new alkaloid from Corydalis cava (Fumariaceae), and its cholinesterase activity. Nat Prod Commun. 2012 Jul;7(7):859-60. PMID: 22908564.
• [WFO] World Flora Online [Updated version of ThePlantList]
  • [1] WFO (2021): Corydalis cava (L.) Schweigg. & Körte. Published on the Internet; http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000622173. Accessed on: 07 May 2021
  • [2] WFO (2021): Corydalis yanhusuo (Y.H.Chou & Chun C.Hsu) W.T.Wang ex Z.Y.Su & C.Y.Wu. Published on the Internet; http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000623057. Accessed on: 07 May 2021
• [Voyageur] Corydalis, Pale - (Corydalis sempervirens), Flowering Plants in Voyageur Country, northeastern Minnesota. http://www.voyageurcountry.com/htmls/floweringplants.html