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Dang Shen

Dang Shen is the root of Codonopsis pilosula, a herb used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic, and it contains polysaccharides that appear to interact with immune cells. With no main use established, the best-supported finding is about immune function, where lab and animal studies found the polysaccharides boosted immune cell activity, including macrophages and cytokine production. Still, the evidence is very limited: this work is mostly animal or lab-based, and no controlled human trials have confirmed it.

Sources: PMID 19715751; PMID 21827539

Best evidence
Grade D
Conditions studied
3
Outcomes
4
Graded outcomes
0004

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

3 conditions, plus general outcomes

Autoimmune Health

Autoimmune Health: outcomes studied for Dang Shen
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Immune Function

In vitro and animal studies suggest Codonopsis polysaccharides enhance immune cell function, including stimulation of macrophage activity and cytokine production. No controlled human trials have confirmed these effects.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect3 studies

Studies that measured immune function

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)

Age-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD): outcomes studied for Dang Shen
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Cognitive Function

Animal studies suggest Codonopsis pilosula may enhance memory and exert neuroprotective effects, possibly through increased BDNF expression. Evidence is substantially weaker than for Panax ginseng, and no human trials exist for cognitive outcomes.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect3 studies

Studies that measured cognitive function

General

  • Gastrointestinal Protection: improves
General: outcomes studied for Dang Shen
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Gastrointestinal Protection

In animal models, Codonopsis pilosula demonstrates gastroprotective effects, with polysaccharides providing mucilage-like protection to the GI lining. No human clinical data is available to confirm digestive health benefits.

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect3 studies

Studies that measured gastrointestinal protection

Key findings

  • Immune FunctionAutoimmune HealthImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Cognitive FunctionAge-Associated Memory Impairment and Cognitive Decline (AAMCD)Improves (the measure goes up)
  • Fatigue ResistanceCancer-Related FatigueImproves (the measure goes down)

Shop Dang Shen

Third-party tested Dang Shen products. The evidence above is limited, so read it before you buy.

  • Grade D

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Studies cited

3 studies from PubMed

  1. Neuroprotective effects of Codonopsis pilosulaJ Ethnopharmacol, 2012 · PMID 23590831
  2. Chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Codonopsis speciesNat Prod Commun, 2011 · PMID 21827539
  3. Immunomodulatory effects of Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharidesInt Immunopharmacol, 2009 · PMID 19715751