Atractylodin is a polyyne found in Atractylodes, in particular Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes chinensis. It serves as the primary active component and the characteristic aromatic constituent in the volatile oil of the traditional Chinese medicine Cāng zhú, which is derived from the dried rhizomes of Atractylodes species.
Atractylodin exhibits a range of pharmacological activities, including regulation of gastrointestinal motility, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. These combined activities form the pharmacological basis for the traditional use of Cāng zhú, often as a key ingredient in formulations such as Pingwei San and Po Chai Pills, to treat symptoms like abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.
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