Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis yanhusuo) (Corydalis yanhusuo)

Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis yanhusuo) is not consumed as a food source and therefore lacks a conventional macronutrient profile (negligible protein, fat, and carbohydrate contribution at typical therapeutic doses of 5–15 g dried tuber or 100–300 mg standardized extract). Its medicinal value derives from its rich alkaloid content. **Key Bioactive Compounds:** — **Tetrahydropalmatine (THP / dl-THP):** Primary active alkaloid, typically 0.5–1.5% of dried tuber weight (~5–15 mg per gram of crude herb); responsible for analgesic and sedative effects via dopamine D2 receptor antagonism and modulation of GABA-ergic pathways; oral bioavailability estimated at 40–50%. — **Dehydrocorydaline (DHC):** ~0.1–0.8% of dried tuber; contributes to anti-inflammatory and antitumor activity; acts on acetylcholinesterase inhibition. — **Corydaline:** ~0.1–0.5%; analgesic and smooth muscle relaxant; moderate oral bioavailability. — **Protopine:** ~0.05–0.3%; antispasmodic and mild anti-arrhythmic properties. — **Palmatine:** ~0.1–0.4%; antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory; structurally related to berberine with moderate bioavailability (~20–30%). — **Berberine (trace):** ~0.01–0.05%; contributes to antimicrobial and metabolic-supportive effects. — **Canadine (tetrahydroberberine):** ~0.05–0.2%; sedative and muscle-relaxant effects. **Total Alkaloid Content:** Approximately 1.5–4.0% of dried tuber weight, comprising over 20 identified isoquinoline alkaloids (protoberberine, protopine, benzylisoquinoline, and aporphine subtypes). **Minerals (approximate per 100 g dried tuber):** Calcium ~200–400 mg; Potassium ~500–800 mg; Magnesium ~100–200 mg; Iron ~5–15 mg; Zinc ~2–5 mg; Manganese ~1–3 mg. **Other constituents:** Organic acids, starch (~30–50% of tuber dry weight), small amounts of dietary fiber (~5–8%), and trace essential oils. **Bioavailability Notes:** THP bioavailability is significantly enhanced when taken with warm water or co-administered with vinegar-processing (cu zhi / 醋制), a traditional preparation method that converts free-base alkaloids to more soluble acetate salts, increasing absorption by an estimated 30–60%. First-pass hepatic metabolism via CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 reduces systemic availability of several alkaloids; vinegar-processed forms show higher peak plasma concentrations. Fat-soluble alkaloids may benefit from co-ingestion with lipid-containing foods.