{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}} {{Speciesbox |image = Codonopsis pilosula flowers.jpg |genus = Codonopsis |species = pilosula |authority = Franch. }}
'''''Codonopsis pilosula''''', also known as '''''Dangshen''''' ({{zh|c=党参|p=Dǎngshēn}}), is a perennial species of flowering plant in the bellflower family. It is native to Asia, where it grows in forests, meadows, and scrub.<ref name=china>[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200022921 ''Codonopsis pilosula''.] Flora of China.</ref>
==Description== The plant produces twining stems up to {{convert|2|m|ft|1|abbr=on}} long. It has lateral branches with alternately arranged leaves and small branchlets with oppositely arranged leaves. The ovate leaves are up to {{convert|7.3|cm|0|abbr=on}} centimeters long and are usually coated with short hairs. Solitary flowers occur at the branch tips. The bell-shaped flower is about {{convert|2|cm|1|abbr=on}} long and wide and is yellow-green with purple spots inside. The fruit capsule is up to {{convert|2.4|cm|1|abbr=on}} long.<ref name=china/>
==Uses== ===Traditional=== thumb|right|Leavesthumb|right|Dried ''Codonopsis pilosula'' root The roots of ''C. pilosula'' are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are carrot-shaped or cylindrical, sometimes branched, and up to {{convert|30|cm|abbr=on}} long by {{convert|3|cm|abbr=on}} wide.<ref name=china/> They are a constituent of Radix Codonopsis, a mixture used in herbal medicine.<ref name=li>{{cite journal | pmid = 19004445| year = 2009| last1 = Li| first1 = C. Y| title = Quality assessment of Radix Codonopsis by quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance| journal = Journal of Chromatography A| volume = 1216| issue = 11| pages = 2124–9| last2 = Xu| first2 = H. X| last3 = Han| first3 = Q. B| last4 = Wu| first4 = T. S| doi = 10.1016/j.chroma.2008.10.080}}</ref>
===Medicinal=== The traditional medicinal use of ''Dangshen'' has inspired medical studies investigating the root's capabilities to treat cardiovascular, pulmonary and digestive conditions. Research into the effect of Condonopsis pilosula extract on gastric ulcers in rats showed a reduction in gastric acid production and severity of stress-induced ulcers.<ref name=wang>{{cite journal | year = 1997| last1 = Wang| first1 = Z.-T.| title = Investigations on the Protective Action of Condonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) Extract on Experimentally-Induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats | journal = General Pharmacology: The Vascular System| volume = 28| issue = 3| pages = 469–473| last2 = Du| first2 = Q.| last3 = Xu| first3 = G.-J.| last4 = Wang| first4 = R.-J.| last5 = Fu | first5 = D.-Z. | last6 = Ng | first6 = T.-B. | doi = 10.1016/s0306-3623(96)00047-x| pmid = 9068993}}</ref>
==Phytochemicals== Codonopsis pilosula contains the beta-carboline based compound Perlolyrine.<ref>{{cite journal | url=https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2006-962513 | doi=10.1055/s-2006-962513 | title=Perlolyrine: A β-Carboline Alkaloid from ''Codonopsis pilosula'' | date=1988 | last1=Liu | first1=Tun | last2=Liang | first2=Wenzao | last3=Tu | first3=Guoshi | journal=Planta Medica | volume=54 | issue=5 | pages=472–473 | pmid=17265328 | s2cid=85320780 | url-access=subscription }}</ref>
==Subspecies== There are 3 subspecies:<ref name=china/> * ''Codonopsis pilosula'' subsp. ''handeliana'' ({{zh|c=闪毛党参|p=shǎnmáo Dǎngshēn}}) * ''Codonopsis pilosula'' subsp. ''pilosula'' ({{zh|c=党参|p=Dǎngshēn}}) * ''Codonopsis pilosula'' subsp. ''tangshen'' ({{zh|c=川党参|p=Chuān Dǎngshēn}}) - widely cultivated
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{cite journal |vauthors=Wang ZT, Ng TB, Yeung HW, Xu GJ |title=Immunomodulatory effect of a polysaccharide-enriched preparation of Codonopsis pilosula roots |journal=Gen. Pharmacol. |volume=27 |issue=8 |pages=1347–50 |date=December 1996 |pmid=9304404 |doi=10.1016/s0306-3623(96)00084-5}} * [http://www.codonopsisplants.co.uk/ Codonopsis Plants], National Council for The Conservation of Plants and Gardens
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1076269}}
Category:Campanuloideae Category:Flora of Northeast Asia Category:Plants used in traditional Chinese medicine Category:Medicinal plants of Asia Category:Taxa named by Adrien René Franchet