S22 - Session O1 - Cultivation study for Shikon (Lithospermum erythrorhizon), purple dye and traditional medicine

Authors: Mareshige Kojoma *

"Shikon" is a traditional dye that has been used to dye clothing purple for over a thousand years in Japan. Purple color from Shikon is recognized as a noble one in Japan. Shikon is also used as a traditional medicine in Japan and eastern Asia. Shikon is the main ingredient in preparing the red purple color ointment "Shi-un-ko" used to cure skin diseases in traditional Japanese medicine. In addition, it is also used for oral medications such as mammary gland disease, skin inflammation, and anemia. In recent decades, Shikon has also been used in cosmetics. The purple pigment of Shikon is mainly composed of shikonin and its derivatives (napthoquinone compound). Shikonin and its derivatives have been shown to possess many medical properties, including wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant. Shikon is made from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon ("Murasaki "in Japanese plant name), a perennial herb distributed in Japan and eastern Asia. The root of L. erythrorhizon is reddish dark brown, and contains rich purple pigment. Currently, there are very few wild habitats in Japan for L. erythrorhizon . The extinction of wild L. erythrorhizon is threatened, and conservation activities are being carried out. Therefore, sustainable cultivation is required to stably supply high-quality Shikon. In the last few decades, some cultivation studies have been attempted. However, the cultivation of the plant is very difficult and sufficient results have not been obtained. We have been studying the cultivation of L. erythrorhizon for about 10 years in Hokkaido, which has the coolest climate in Japan (Temperature at Tobetsu Town, Min.; -20.6℃, Max;31.4 ℃ ). We found the following five important points in the cultivation of L. erythrorhizon , and conducted various studies. 1) Seed treatments, 2) Raising seedlings, 3) Period of cultivation, 4) Harvesting method, 5) Chemical analysis of Shikonin and its derivatives.