Ardisia crenata

This plant belongs to the family of Primulaceae. It originates from Asia, but is an invasive species in some other countries, e.g. the United States. It is widely used as ornamental plant. Identified ingredients include the aglycon Ardisicrenogenin and several ardisicrenosides (saponins).

Several substances isolated from the root show cytotoxic activities in human cancer cell lines.

The leaves of the plant contain a substance known as FR900359. It is investigated to treat several diseases, e.g. Asthma. It prevents asthmatic contractions and spasms.

(The endophyte Candidatus Burkholderia crenata of the TCM plant Ardisia crenata produces the selective Gq-inhibitor FR900359; R. Reher et al., Planta Medica, (2016), DOI 10.1055/s-0036-1596736.)

(Targeted inhibition of Gq signaling induces airway relaxation in mouse models of asthma. Matthey, M. Et al. (2017). Science Translational Medicine, 13. September 2017, DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aag2288)