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Chopchini

Smilax china L.

Chopchini (Smilax china L.) is a plant drug, from the Smilacaceae family. Listed in WHO Traditional Medicine strategy for both South-East Asia and Western Pacific regions.

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 Baqia). Also listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. No dedicated WHO monograph.
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5295472 · Wikidata Q163095 · NCBI Taxonomy 49657

The evidence at a glance

12papers on this site for this drug, published 2011 to 2025, every one with a DOI.

  • 4Other clinical studies and reviews
  • 8Laboratory and animal studies

A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people. Each paper is listed with what it measured on the page below. See the research index for how papers are tiered.

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: Traditionally used for syphilis-related skin lesions; saponins and flavonoids are reported to have broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, which does not establish efficacy against syphilis

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

  • Chronic skin diseases (eczema, psoriasis): traditionally used for these conditions. Studies have reported anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity, involving NF-kB and T-cell modulation.
  • Syphilis-related skin manifestations: traditionally used for these skin signs. Studies have reported antimicrobial activity against various pathogens. Modern antibiotics have replaced this use.
  • Blood purification for skin clarity: traditionally used to purify the blood for clearer skin. Studies have reported hepatoprotective and detoxification-enhancing properties for its saponins and polyphenols.

What do recent studies show?

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • Long history of traditional use in both Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine systems. Available pharmacological studies have not reported significant toxicity at therapeutic doses, though formal long-term safety data are limited
  • 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

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

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

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

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 reviews4

  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. 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 studies8

  1. 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
  2. Hu LJ, Ye XS, Lin K and others. 2024. Two New Phenylpropanoids and a Polyphenol with Anti-Cervical Cancer Activity from Smilax china LChemistry & biodiversity. PMID 39166478 · doi:10.1002/cbdv.202401467
  3. Yan L, Deng Y, Du Y and others. 2024. Metabolic Regulations of Smilax china L. against β-Amyloid Toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegansMetabolites. PMID 38248852 · doi:10.3390/metabo14010049
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Xu M, Xue H, Li X and others. 2019. Chemical composition, antibacterial properties, and mechanism of Smilax china L. polyphenolsApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 31637496 · doi:10.1007/s00253-019-10100-0
  8. Chen L, Yin H, Lan Z and others. 2011. Anti-hyperuricemic and nephroprotective effects of Smilax china LJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 21420478 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.03.033

Reference lists that include it

Flavonoids, Kaempferol, Quercetin, Stigmasterol

Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.

Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.

Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.