Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
The Short Answer
Fritillaria cirrhosa contains alkaloids like peimine and peiminine that modulate STAT1/STAT4 signaling pathways and suppress NF-κB activation. These mechanisms contribute to potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies.
CategoryHerbs (Global Traditional)
GroupTraditional Chinese Medicine
Evidence LevelModerate
Primary KeywordFritillaria cirrhosa benefits
Synergy Pairings3
Fritillaria (Fritillaria cirrhosa) — botanical close-up
Health Benefits
Origin & History
Natural habitat
Fritillaria cirrhosa, known as Chuan Beimu in Chinese, is a perennial herb native to high-altitude Himalayan regions of China, India, and Nepal, where its bulbs are harvested as the primary medicinal part. The dried bulbs contain steroidal alkaloids and are processed into aqueous extracts or total alkaloid fractions for therapeutic use.
“In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus (Chuan Beimu) has been used for centuries to treat respiratory conditions including cough, phlegm, and lung inflammation. It has served as both a standalone respiratory medicine and as an adjuvant in lung cancer treatment within TCM practice.”Traditional Medicine
Scientific Research
No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses have been conducted on Fritillaria cirrhosa. Current evidence is limited to preclinical studies, including in vitro work on A549 lung cancer cells showing apoptosis induction (PMID: 31669666) and mouse xenograft models demonstrating tumor size reduction through immune modulation.
Preparation & Dosage
Traditional preparation
No clinically studied human dosages are available as all research has been preclinical. Traditional use involves dried bulb preparations, but specific dosing for aqueous extracts or alkaloid fractions has not been established in human studies. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Nutritional Profile
Fritillaria cirrhosa (Chuan Bei Mu) is a medicinal bulb with limited conventional nutritional data, but several characterized bioactive constituents. Primary bioactive alkaloids include isosteroidal alkaloids: peimisine (imperialine) at approximately 0.01–0.05% dry weight, peiminine (verticine) at 0.02–0.08% dry weight, and verticinone at trace to 0.03% dry weight — these are considered the principal pharmacologically active compounds. Total alkaloid content typically ranges from 0.05–0.2% of dry bulb weight. Steroidal saponins including fritilloside and hupehenine are present at low concentrations (~0.01–0.03% dry weight). Nucleosides detected include adenosine, uridine, and cytidine at microgram-per-gram levels. Polysaccharides (primarily glucomannans and fructans) constitute approximately 15–25% of dry weight and may contribute to mucosal-soothing properties with moderate bioavailability. Crude protein content is approximately 8–12% dry weight, composed largely of non-essential amino acids; not considered a dietary protein source. Crude fiber content is approximately 6–10% dry weight. Mineral content includes potassium (~800–1200 mg/100g dry weight), calcium (~200–400 mg/100g), magnesium (~80–150 mg/100g), and trace iron and zinc. Starch comprises roughly 30–40% dry weight. Fat content is negligible (<2% dry weight). Bioavailability note: alkaloid absorption is enhanced in aqueous decoctions versus raw powder; peimisine demonstrates reasonable oral bioavailability in rodent models (~20–35%), though human pharmacokinetic data remain scarce. Used in doses of 3–9g in decoction, yielding milligram-range alkaloid exposure per therapeutic dose.
How It Works
Mechanism of Action
Fritillaria cirrhosa's primary alkaloids peimine and peiminine activate STAT1/STAT4 transcription factors, which regulate immune responses and cell cycle control. The herb also suppresses NF-κB nuclear translocation, reducing production of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-6. These dual pathways provide the molecular basis for its traditional respiratory and anti-inflammatory applications.
Clinical Evidence
Current evidence for Fritillaria cirrhosa comes primarily from in vitro cell culture studies and animal models, with no large-scale human clinical trials available. Cell studies have shown growth inhibition of lung cancer cell lines at concentrations of 50-200 μg/mL. Animal studies in rats demonstrated reduced airway inflammation markers by 30-45% compared to controls. The lack of human clinical data limits conclusions about therapeutic efficacy and optimal dosing in humans.
Safety & Interactions
Fritillaria cirrhosa is generally well-tolerated in traditional use, but comprehensive safety data is limited. The herb may interact with anticoagulant medications due to potential effects on platelet aggregation. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid use due to insufficient safety data. Some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions to the plant alkaloids.
Synergy Stack
Hermetica Formulation Heuristic
Also Known As
Fritillaria cirrhosaChuan BeimuFritillariae Cirrhosae BulbusHimalayan FritillaryTendrilleaf FritillaryChuan BeiSnow Mountain Fritillary
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the active compounds in Fritillaria cirrhosa?
The primary bioactive compounds are isosteroid alkaloids including peimine, peiminine, and peimisine. These alkaloids range from 0.05-0.15% in quality bulb preparations and are responsible for the herb's pharmacological effects.
How much Fritillaria cirrhosa should I take daily?
Traditional Chinese medicine typically uses 3-9 grams of dried Fritillaria bulb daily in decoctions. However, standardized dosing guidelines for supplements are not established due to limited clinical research.
Can Fritillaria cirrhosa help with cough and respiratory issues?
Traditional use and animal studies suggest potential respiratory benefits through anti-inflammatory mechanisms and mucus regulation. However, human clinical trials are needed to confirm effectiveness for specific respiratory conditions.
Is Fritillaria cirrhosa safe to take with blood thinners?
Fritillaria may affect platelet function and could potentially interact with anticoagulant medications like warfarin. Consult your healthcare provider before combining with blood-thinning medications.
How long does it take for Fritillaria cirrhosa to show effects?
Traditional Chinese medicine sources suggest effects may be noticed within 3-7 days for acute respiratory symptoms. However, specific onset timing has not been studied in controlled human trials.
Is Fritillaria cirrhosa safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Fritillaria cirrhosa has been traditionally used in pregnancy-related respiratory conditions in Chinese medicine, but clinical safety data during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare provider before use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, as some traditional sources suggest it may have uterine effects. Current evidence does not definitively establish safety in these populations.
What is the difference between Fritillaria cirrhosa and other Fritillaria species used medicinally?
Fritillaria cirrhosa is primarily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is considered one of the most potent Fritillaria species for respiratory support, while other species like F. thunbergii and F. ussuriensis have different alkaloid profiles and regional uses. F. cirrhosa is traditionally valued for its stronger antitussive properties and is commonly featured in classical Chinese formulations. The specific growing region and altitude significantly affect the alkaloid composition and therapeutic potency among Fritillaria species.
Does Fritillaria cirrhosa interact with respiratory medications like bronchodilators or corticosteroids?
Limited clinical data exists on direct interactions between Fritillaria cirrhosa and common respiratory medications such as albuterol or inhaled corticosteroids. Since Fritillaria cirrhosa may have mild anti-inflammatory effects, combining it with respiratory medications should be discussed with a healthcare provider to ensure coordinated therapeutic effects. Current evidence does not indicate serious contraindications, but individual responses may vary based on formulation and dosage.
Explore the Full Encyclopedia
7,400+ ingredients researched, verified, and formulated for optimal synergy.
Browse IngredientsThese statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
hermetica-encyclopedia-canary-zzqv9k4w fritillaria curated by Hermetica Superfoods at ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com and licensed CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (non-commercial share-alike, attribution required)
