 Botany
Lilyturf is an evergreen perennial stemless plant growing to a height of 0.3 meters. Tubers are pale yellowish-greenish, cylindrical and fleshy, translucent and flexible, 2.5 to 5 centimeters long, 0.3 to 0.6 centimeter in diameter, tapering at either extremity. Leaves are tufted, numerous, ensiform, 45 to 70 centimeters long, and 0.3 to 0.8 centimeters wide. Inflorescence is solitary, 20 to 33 centimeters long. Flowers are small and odorless, white or purplish.
Distribution
- On open slopes at an altitude of about 1,400 meters in Luzon (Ilocos Norte, Rizal, Benguet Provinces) and in Batanes Islands.
- Occurs in Japan to Manchuria and southward to Hongkong and Taiwan.
Constituents
- Rich in mucilage.
- Root contains about 1.6% protein, 0.5% fat, 80% carbohydrates, and 2.3% ash.
- Study of underground parts isolated two new steroidal saponins--lirigramosides A and B along with four known compounds.
- Study of underground parts yielded an unusual novel C27-steroidal glycoside sulfate from the underground parts, together with three known compounds. (See study below)
- An ethyl acetate extract yielded three compounds, viz. methylophiopogonanone B (compound 1),5,7-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3-(4-methoxybenzyl)-chroman-4-one (compound 2) and 7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy flavanones (compound 3). A fraction of 50% ethanol yielded hesperidin (compound 4) and and 25(R, S)-ruscogenin-l-O-sulfate-3-O-a-L-rhamnopyranoside (compound 8). A 75% ethanol fraction isolated three compounds: 25(S)-ruscogenin-l-O-β-D-xylopyranoside-3-O-a-L-rhamnopyranoside (compound 5), 25(R)-ruscogenin-1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-xylopyranoside (compound 6), (25S)-spirost-5-ene-3β,17α-diol-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl( 1→3)-α-L-arabinofuranosyl(l→2)-[α-L-rhamnogyranosyl (1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (compound 7). (see study below) (10)
Properties
- The drug consists of cylindrical fleshy tubers from 1 to 2 inches in length, and from 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter, tapering at either extremity, pale yellowish-gray in color, translucent, soft and flexible. A central ligneous cord runs longitudinally through each.
- Candied tubers considered tonic, pectoral and aphrodisiac.
- Plant considered refrigerant.
- Studies have suggested anti-tumor, antioxidant, cardiac stimulant properties.
Parts used
Tubers.
Uses
Edibility
- Roots, cooked. Also, candied.
- Root has a fleshy, tuberous part near its tip.
Folkloric
- Candied tubers eaten as tonic and aphrodisiac.
- In China, decoction of tubers used to fortify the lungs, for coughs, fevers and dysentery.
- In Chinese traditional medicine, used for asthma, bronchial and lung inflammation. Used as tonic to moisten yin.
Others
- Ground cover: A good drought-tolerant ground cover.
Studies
• Steroidal Saponins / Anti-Tumor Activities: Study isolated two new steroidal saponins - lirigramosides A and B along with four known compounds. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against Hela and SMMC-7721 cells. (2)
• Hemodynamic Effects: Study evaluated the acute hemodynamic effects of water soluble extract of Liriope spicata in anesthetized cats. Results showed the WSEL increased ventricular contractile force and might increase cardiac pump function. (3)
• Antioxidant: Study of methanolic and hot-water extracts from leaves of three cultivars of Mai-men-dong (Liriope spicata L) showed all three hot water extracts to effectively scavenge hydroxyl radical, with dose-dependent anti-DPPH radical activities. (4)
• Anti-Tumor: Study of isolated eight compounds. Compound 1 showed strong anti-tumor activity against human cervical carcinoma; compound 7, moderate anti-tumor activity against human cervical carcinoma and human hepatocellular carcinoma; compound 5, antiproliferative activity against human cervical carcinoma.
• Novel C27-Steroidal Glycoside / Cytotoxicity: Study of isolated an unusual novel C27-steroidal glycoside sulfate from the underground parts, together with three known compounds. Compound 1 (HR-MS, 1D and 2D NMR as (25S)-ruscogenin 1-sulfate-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside) has cytotoxic activities against K562 and HL60 cells. (6)
• Anti-Tumor: Study of Liriope graminifolia yielded various bioactive compounds. Compound 1 showed strong anti-tumor activities against human cervical carcinoma; compound 7 had moderate anti-tumor activities against human cervical carcinoma (Hela) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (SMMC-7721; compound 5 had antiproliferative activity to human cervical carcinoma (Hela). (see constituents above) (10)
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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