4.1.7 Soapnut Spines

4.1.7 Soapnut Spines

Soapnut spines are the dried thorns of Gleditsia sinensis Lam., a leguminous plant. Their taste is pungent and warm, with the functions of reducing swelling and draining pus, dispelling wind, and killing parasites. The main chemical components include flavonoids, soapnut saponins, amino acids, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, sitosterol, campesterol, and nonacosane, as well as phenolic compounds [103]. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to test the effect of different concentrations of total flavonoids from soapnut spines on tumor necrosis factor release by peritoneal macrophages in ICR mice, the results showed that soapnut spines significantly inhibit TNF [104].