Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Chopchini

Smilax china L.

Chopchini (Smilax china L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Listed in WHO Traditional Medicine strategy for both South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. [Smilax china L.: A review of its botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, actual and potential applications](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37541403/).

Key facts
Botanical nameSmilax china L.
FamilySmilacaceae
OrderLiliales
Pharmacopoeia statusListed in WHO Traditional Medicine strategy for both South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions. Included in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (as Tu Fu Ling/Baqia). Also listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. No dedicated WHO monograph.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5295472 · Wikidata Q163095 · NCBI Taxonomy 49657

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishChopchini
Latin/BotanicalSmilax china L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Steroidal saponin anti-inflammatory pathway: Smilagenin and dioscin modulate NF-kB and MAPK signaling, reducing pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6) in chronic skin conditions
  • Astilbin immunomodulatory action: Flavonoid astilbin selectively suppresses activated T-lymphocyte proliferation while preserving normal immune function, relevant to autoimmune skin diseases like psoriasis and pemphigus
  • Resveratrol and stilbene antioxidant defense: Oxyresveratrol and resveratrol scavenge free radicals, inhibit lipid peroxidation, and activate Nrf2/ARE pathway for endogenous antioxidant protection of skin
  • Antimicrobial and antisyphilitic activity: Traditional use for syphilis-related skin lesions supported by broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of saponins and flavonoids against pathogenic microorganisms

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Chronic skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis): Validated by demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities through NF-kB and T-cell modulation
  • Syphilis-related skin manifestations: Traditional use supported by antimicrobial activity against various pathogens, though modern antibiotics have replaced this application
  • Blood purification for skin clarity: Supported by hepatoprotective and detoxification-enhancing properties of saponins and polyphenols

What do recent clinical trials show?

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Long history of safe traditional use in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine systems. No significant toxicity reported in available pharmacological studies at therapeutic doses
  • Saponin content may cause mild gastrointestinal irritation in sensitive individuals with oral use. Topical application is generally well-tolerated. Limited formal long-term safety data in modern clinical settings

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Saponins
  • Dioscin
  • Flavonoids
  • Stilbenes
  • Resveratrol
  • Polyphenols
  • Polysaccharides
  • Kaempferol

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Tablet, Capsule, Kwath Ghana (solid extract)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 50-100ml decoction; 500mg extract capsule; traditionally used in prolonged courses (6-12 weeks) for chronic conditions

Bioavailability: Smilax china—steroidal saponins (sarsasapogenin glycosides) show moderate oral bioavailability (20-30%). Saponins undergo hydrolysis by gut microbiota to release aglycones which are better absorbed. Flavonoids (kaempferol, quercetin) show moderate absorption. Decoction provides better saponin extraction than powder. Traditional prolonged administration (Prayoga Kala) ensures steady-state tissue levels for chronic conditions like Vatarakta (gout) and Upadamsha (syphilis).

Optimal Timing: Before meals with warm water for anti-arthritic and blood-purifying effects; prolonged course of 6-12 weeks recommended for chronic conditions

Standardized Extract: Tuber extract standardized to total saponins NLT 5%; sarsasapogenin NLT 0.5%; total flavonoids NLT 2%

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule); 1 year (decoction)

Storage: Cool, dry place in airtight containers. Tuber powder is relatively stable. Protect from moisture to prevent starch-related clumping.

Marker Compounds: Sarsasapogenin, Smilacin, Smilagenin, Diosgenin, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Resveratrol (trace), Beta-sitosterol, Stigmasterol

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction (1:16 reduced to 1:4) for traditional Kashayam
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40) for saponin-rich extract
  • Ethanol extraction (70%) for flavonoid and saponin co-extraction
  • Maceration in cold water for 12-24 hours

Synergistic Combinations

  • With Guduchi for Vatarakta (gouty arthritis)
  • With Sariva for blood purification and skin diseases
  • With Manjishtha for Raktadosha (blood disorders)
  • With Guggulu for anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic formulations
  • With Haridra for chronic inflammatory conditions

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews6

  1. Li L, Zhang L, Li Y and others. 2025. Overview of current research on traditional Chinese medicine in skin disease treatment: a bibliometric analysis from 2014 to 2024Pharmaceutical biology. PMID 39745060 · doi:10.1080/13880209.2024.2443415
  2. Wang M, Bai QX, Zheng XX and others. 2024. Smilax china L.: A review of its botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, actual and potential applicationsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 37541403 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116992
  3. Semwal P, Painuli S, Abu-Izneid T and others. 2022. Diosgenin: An Updated Pharmacological Review and Therapeutic PerspectivesOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 35677108 · doi:10.1155/2022/1035441
  4. Niculet E, Radaschin DS, Nastase F and others. 2020. Influence of phytochemicals in induced psoriasis (Review)Experimental and therapeutic medicine. PMID 32905089 · doi:10.3892/etm.2020.9013
  5. Cai B, Zhang Y, Wang Z and others. 2020. Therapeutic Potential of Diosgenin and Its Major Derivatives against Neurological Diseases: Recent AdvancesOxidative medicine and cellular longevity. PMID 32215172 · doi:10.1155/2020/3153082
  6. Jesus M, Martins AP, Gallardo E and others. 2016. Diosgenin: Recent Highlights on Pharmacology and Analytical MethodologyJournal of analytical methods in chemistry. PMID 28116217 · doi:10.1155/2016/4156293

Laboratory and animal studies6

  1. Feng H, Li C, Chen J and others. 2025. Astilbin from Smilax china L. remarkably inhibits LPS-induced endometritis in rats via blocking positive feedback between TLR4 and IL-6R signalling pathways in a PPAR-γ-dependent mannerJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 40274031 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.119861
  2. Zhang W, Yu L, Yang Q and others. 2024. Smilax China L. polysaccharide prevents HFD induced-NAFLD by regulating hepatic fat metabolism and gut microbiotaPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 38452696 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155478
  3. Li X, Qiao G, Chu L and others. 2023. Smilax china L. Polysaccharide Alleviates Dextran Sulphate Sodium-Induced Colitis and Modulates the Gut Microbiota in MiceFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37107427 · doi:10.3390/foods12081632
  4. Xu M, Xue H, Kong L and others. 2023. Smilax china L. Polyphenols Improves Insulin Resistance and Obesity in High-fat Diet-induced Mice Through IRS/AKT-AMPK and NF-κB Signaling PathwaysPlant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands). PMID 36826691 · doi:10.1007/s11130-023-01052-y
  5. Wang K, Yang L, Zhou J and others. 2022. Smilax china L. Polysaccharide Alleviates Oxidative Stress and Protects From Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Activating the Nrf2-ARE PathwayFrontiers in pharmacology. PMID 35571121 · doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.888560
  6. Boby N, Lee EB, Abbas MA and others. 2021. Ethanol-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Alcohol Metabolism Regulation by GABA-Enriched Fermented Smilax china Root Extract in RatsFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 34681429 · doi:10.3390/foods10102381

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