Coptis chinensis

Chinese goldthread
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Genus:	Coptis
Species:	C. chinensis
Binomial name
Coptis chinensis Franch.

Coptis chinensis, the Chinese goldthread, is a species of goldthread native to China.

The rhizomes of Coptis chinensis are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and serve as a source for the isoquinoline alkaloids berberine,palmatine, and coptisine among others.

Coptis chinensis is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called duǎn è huánglián (Chinese: 短萼黄连).

A variety of pharmacological effects of Coptis chinensis extracts or its chemical components have been reported, but the relevance of these in vitro and animals studies to human health are unknown. For example, a 1996 in vitro study found Coptis chinensis extracts to be effective against the gastrointestinal parasite . A study in rats suggested Coptis and berberine (the primary alkaloid in Coptis) are potential agents for preventing intestinal injury. Berberine may also have anti-atherosclerosis effects. Berberine and basic extracts of Coptis chinensis also have demonstrated positive effects in an animal model of neurodegeneration. Animal studies suggest Coptis chinensis rhizomes may help with the pain of irritable bowel syndrome.

Because of the strong coloring quality of berberine, it has been traditionally used as a dye, especially for wool and other fibers.

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Wikipedia