Development of cultivation and quality evaluation methods for Clematis chinensis Osbeck aimed at domestic production of the Kampo medicine Ireisen

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15510
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 39020:Crop production science-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture
• Principal Investigator: Ni Siran 東京農業大学, 農学部, 助教 (90826835)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 威霊仙 / サキシマボタンヅル / 発芽特性 / 薬用植物栽培

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to develop the domestic production of the Kampo medicine Clematidis Radix et Rhizoma (also be called as “ireisen” in Japanese) by using Clematis chinensis Osbeck that growing naturally in Miyakojima, Okinawa. Seedling production method and ex-situ cultivation method were developed, and the cultivated products was evaluated by HPLC and TLC methods. As a result of this study, this species was successfully cultivated in the Kanagawa prefecture. Seeds capable of germination were found to be produced on individuals cultivated in the Kanagawa prefecture and Toyama prefecture, therefore continuous ex-situ cultivation could be applied. Additionally, the cultivated products contained oleanolic acid and hederagenin and there were almost no differences observed in other chemical characteristics between cultivated products and commercial sample. Therefore, it was concluded that these cultivated plants can be used as raw materials of “ireisen”.

Free Research Field

生薬学、薬用植物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

生薬「威霊仙」（イレイセン）は年間使用量約11トンの全量を中国からの輸入品に依存しており、安定供給のためには国内生産が必要である。「威霊仙」の原植物であるサキシマボタンヅルが沖縄地方にのみ分布するが、薬用資源として利用されていない。本研究は未利用資源であるサキシマボタンヅルの栽培生産技術を確立したことで、生物資源の有効活用を推進することができ、「威霊仙」の国産化に寄与できると考えられる。