Semen Gynocardiae Odoratae
Aliases：Shali Guoshu Mugua (Sand Pear Tree Papaya); Wild Sand Pear; Abitan.
Ma Dan Guo (Fragrant Gynocardia Seed) is the name of a traditional Chinese medicine. It is the seed of Gynocardia odorata R. Br., a plant in the family Flacourtiaceae (placed in Achariaceae in some modern classification systems). It grows in forests at elevations of 800–830 meters. It was first recorded in the Xinhua Bencao Gangyao (Outline of New Chinese Materia Medica) and is also documented in Chinese Materia Medica and other herbal works.
Efficacy & Actions
Dispels Wind, eliminates Dampness, and removes toxin.
Indications
Leprosy; elephantiasis; skin diseases (including chronic tinea, scabies, tinea infections, and pyogenic sores, etc.).
Modern Pharmacology
Modern pharmacological research on Fragrant Gynocardia remains insufficient. The following findings are primarily derived from preliminary studies on the chemical constituents and bioactivities of its seed oil and related species in the same family and genus, and are provided for reference: Anti-leprosy bacillus effect: The seed oil of Fragrant Gynocardia contains chaulmoogric acid and hydnocarpic acid, which are effective constituents for treating leprosy. Chaulmoogra oil and its fatty acid sodium salts exhibit antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other acid-fast bacilli more than 100 times stronger than phenol in vitro. The effective anti-leprosy constituents include chaulmoogric acid and hydnocarpic acid, but due to their high toxicity, they are now rarely used. Antibacterial effect: Gynocardia oil exhibits definite antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of acid-fast bacilli such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects: The fruit of Fragrant Gynocardia is rich in flavonoids, which possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. Antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects: Flavonoid compounds in the fruit of Fragrant Gynocardia exhibit antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities. Note: The above pharmacological findings are mostly preliminary experiments or inferences based on related species in the same family. Systematic pharmacological research on G. odorata seeds specifically remains to be further conducted. Special warning: The seeds contain toxic cyanogenic glycoside constituents. Traditional actions and indications should remain the primary basis for use, and internal use requires extreme caution.
Ingredients
The seeds and stems of Fragrant Gynocardia mainly contain the following active constituents: Fatty acids (principal constituents of the seed oil): Chaulmoogric acid (C₁₈H₃₂O₂), content 40%–50%. Hydnocarpic acid (C₁₆H₂₈O₂). Palmitic acid, content approximately 60%. Cocinic acid, content approximately 2.5%. Oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. Cyanogenic glycosides (toxic constituents): Gynocardin, content approximately 5%. Diterpenoid lactones (in stems and root bark): Odolactone, O-acetylodollactone, odollactone, and others. Triterpenoids: Friedelin and β-sitosterol. Others: Phenols, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, proteins, and others. Note: The seed kernel oil content of Fragrant Gynocardia is approximately 28.43%. The seed oil contains toxic cyanogenic glycoside constituents and is not edible.
Usage & Dosage
External use: Appropriate amount, pounded and applied topically; or calcined while preserving its properties, ground into powder, and applied topically. Oral use: Extreme caution is required; some literature records 3–6 g, decocted in water.
Contraindications
Oral use requires extreme caution: This product contains toxic cyanogenic glycoside constituents. Oral administration requires extreme caution and should be carried out under the guidance of a professional physician.
Selected Formulas
For leprosy and elephantiasis (Southern Medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take an appropriate amount of Ma Dan Guo seeds (Gynocardia odorata). Crush and apply to the affected area; or calcine until charred while retaining properties, grind into powder, and apply.
Medicinal Parts
Seed.
Selection & Storage
Dried material should be stored in a cool, dry place. Protect from moisture and insect damage. Airtight storage is recommended. Avoid direct sunlight. Special note: Fragrant Gynocardia seeds are toxic. They should be stored separately from other medicinal materials and clearly labeled with a prominent toxicity warning to prevent accidental misuse.
