AI #3 Capsule

Mucunae caulis, Sargentodoxae caulis, Paederiae caulis

Allicin Capsule

Allii sativum bulbus (garlic)

BM Capsule

Momordica charantia, Fagophyrum tatarium

Capillaris Combination

Artemisiae capillaris, Gardeniae fructus, Rhei rhizoma

Circulation No. 1 Capsule

Carthami flos, Persicae semen, Angelicae radix, Cnidii rhizoma, Rehmanniae radix, Paeoniae rubra radix, Achyranthis radix, Citri aurantii fructus, Bupleuri radix, Glycyrrhizae radix, Platycodi radix

Coptin Capsule

Coptis chinensis franch

Cordyceps Capsule

Cordyceps sinensis

Gall No. 1 Capsule

Bupleuri radix, Artemisiae capillaris herba, Desmodii herba, Taraxaci herba, Gardeniae fructus, Saussureae radix, Citri pericarpium, Citri immaturi pericarpium, Salviae miltiorrhziae radix, Angelica radix, Scutellariae radix, Gentianae radix

Ginseng and Atractylodes Formula

Ginseng radix, Dioscoreae rhizoma, Dolichoris album semen, Coicis semen, Nelumbinis semen, Atractylodis macrocephalae rhizoma, Poriae alba, Glycyrrhizae radix, Amomi fructus, Platycodi radix, and Zizipi jujubae fructus

Glycyrrihzin Capsule

Glycyrrhiza uralensis fisch (Licorice root)

Hepa Formula No. 2. Capsule

Schizandrae fructus, Artemisiae capillaris herba, Alismatis rhizoma, Polyporus, Poria (Hoelen), Atractylodes rhizoma, Cinnamomi ramulus, Citri pericarpium, Magnoliae cortex, Zingiberis rhizoma (ginger), Glycyrrhizae radix (licorice)

HerbSom Capsule

Corydalis yanhusao rhizoma, Zizyphus spinosi semen, Schizandrae fructus

Ligustrin Capsule

Ligustrum lucidum ait

Red Poeny Combination

Paeoniae rubra radix, Puerariae radix, Salviae miltiorrhziae radix, Persicae semen, Artemisiae capillaris herba, Aristolochiae fangchi radix

Rhubarbin Capsule

Rhei rhizoma

Tiao Ying Yin

Angelicae radix, Cnidii rhizoma, Paeoniae rubra radix, Rhei rhzoma, Polyporus, Poria (Hoelen), Corydalis yanhusao rhizoma, Dianthi herba, Zedoariae rhizoma, Mori radicis cortex, Leonuri fructus, Arecae pericarpipum

Pharmacology of Herbs and Formulas

The following list of the pharmacology of the major herbal remedies is for reference only. If you choose to take any of these herbal remedies, it may be helpful to provide your western health care provider with this information. It will help him or her better understand what you are taking and how it may or may not affect any treatment he or she is prescribing.

Herbs

Allicin

Allicin has a very wide spectrum of anti-infectious capabilities.
It is effective against bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, protozoa, and certain viruses.
It is potent enough to treat many common infections such as bacillary dysentery, amebic dysentery, deep fungal infections, whooping cough, endobronchial tuberculosis, oxyuriasis (pinworms), trichomonas vaginitis, and others.
It has been used in China for more than 20 years. For most of the above conditions, the cure rate is above 80%.
It is virtually nontoxic. Its LD⁵⁰ is 134.9 times higher than its therapeutic dose.

Artemisiae capillaris thunb herba

This is the main herb in TCM used to treat jaundice. It has the following pharmacological actions.
It fosters bile secretion in both healthy or carbon tetrachloride liver damaged animals. The dry weight of the bile is increased with the increased secretion of the bile. Its decoction can decrease the tone of the sphincter of Oddi in anesthetized dogs.
It has liver protective effects.
It reduces carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage and ALT elevation. It also helps recover liver glycogen and RNA.
It lowers blood lipids and has fibrolytic effects.

Bupleuri radix

Bupleuri radix has the following liver-protective and biliary effects.
It can protect the liver from toxic damage caused by galactosalmine, Penicillium notatum and carbon tetrachloride.
It can increase bile secretion and the amount of bile salt in the bile.
Its anti-inflammatory effect can be used to treat inflammation of the liver and gall bladder.

Coptis chinensis franch

Coptis chinensis franch has antimicrobial properties.
It can strongly suppress Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, pneumococcus, Vibrio comma, anthrax bacillus, Bacillus dysenteriae, hay bacillus, pneumobacillus, Bacillus diphtheriae, Bordetella pertussis, Brucellaceae, and Mycobacterium tuberculosi.
It can suppress influenza viruses and Newcastle disease virus in vitro.
It can act against ameba, Chlamydi trachomatis, trichomonad, and Leptospira.
It is virtually nontoxic. The LD₅₀ was 205mg/kg.

Cordyceps Capsule (Cordyceps sinesis)

In TCM, the various actions ascribed to Cordyceps Capsule are lung-nourishing, kidney, vital-essence- and vital-energy-tonifying, homeostatic, and phlegm-resolving (or mucolytic).
It is used in general debility after sickness, and for elderly persons.
Its superior therapeutic effects have been confirmed in many controlled, well-designed studies carried out by medical schools in China including Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing.
It is virtually nontoxic.
The effects of this herb in chronic viral hepatitis have been studied. The efficacy rate was reportedly above 80% in a 256 patient clinical study. Cordyceps sinesis can lower ALT, improve liver function, relieve liver related symptoms, and increase albumin. It has also been used for cirrhosis caused by chronic viral hepatitis. In the previously mentioned study, 17 out of 22 patients had increased albumin levels after three months of treatment. Twelve of 17 patients with ascites experienced complete resolution of ascites while the other five had a reduction in ascites.¹
This herb is helpful for immunodeficiency caused by viral infection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, major illness or surgery.
Cordyceps sinesis is used to treat impotence, premature ejaculation, low libido, low sperm counts and/or activity, irregular menstruation, and leukorrhea.

Desmodii styracifolium her

This herb can facilitate bile secretion and help expel sandy gall stones.
It can relax the sphincter of Oddi.
It can abate biliary obstruction and pain.
It prevents the precipitation of gallstone forming elements.

Glycyrrhizin (GL)

GL has various pharmacological actions that can be useful in treating hepatitis C.
GL has antiviral effects. It can induce the generation of interferon-gamma in test animals and humans. It can prolong the survival of mice after being injected with mouse hepatitis virus (MHV). In rabbits, it can inhibit vaccinia virus proliferation.
GL protects liver cells from chemical injuries. It can alleviate histological changes due to carbon tetrachloride toxication, and lower ALT. It can reduce liver cell degeneration and necrosis, and help recover glycogen and RNA. Experimental hepatitis and cirrhosis studies in rats found GL can promote regeneration of liver cells and inhibit fibrosis. It can also reduce gamma globulin and interstitial inflammation in the liver.
It has antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying activities that resemble those of glucocorticoid. GL also inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells.
Although licorice is a nontoxic herb, long-term use of GL can cause adverse reactions in about 20% of patients. Adverse reactions include edema, rise in blood pressure, low blood potassium, dizziness, fatigued limbs, and others. People with hypertension should not take GL.
The glycyrrhizin capsule used at Zhang’s Clinic in New York City is a potassium salt of glycyrrhizic acid.

Ligustrum iucidum ait

Polygoni cuspidati rhizoma

The 10% decoction of this herb inhibited Asian influenza virus type A, Jingke 68-1 strain, ECHO 11, and herpes simplex virus.⁶
A stronger inhibitory action was exhibited by a 2% decoction against adenovirus type III, poliomyelitis virus type II, Coxsackie virus group A and B, ECHO 11 group, encephalitis B virus, and herpes simplex I strain. The MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) against these viruses were 1:1600, 1:400, 1:400, 1:2560, 1:10240, 1:3200, and 1:51200, respectively. A 20% solution showed significant inhibitory action against the hepatitis B surface antigen (HB_sAg). The active principles I and II of the herb were able to decrease the HB_sAg titer eight-fold.
This herb has been used for chronic viral hepatitis, acute inflammatory diseases, neonatal jaundice, and leukopenia.

Rhei rhizoma (Rhubarb root)

Extracts made by alcohol extraction of this herb contain aloe emodin, rhein, and chrysophanol.
Pharmacological studies have found it has a wide antimicrobial spectrum. It can effectively suppress Staphylococcus, anthrax bacillus, Bacillus dysenteriae, Streptococcus, and E. coli.⁷ It is especially effective for Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.
This herb also has antiviral effects. A strong inhibitory action against the influenza virus was exhibited by the herb decoction.⁸ The minimum effective dose in chicken embryos was 5 mg per embryo.
Clinically, rhubarb root has been used for indigestion, constipation, acute inflammatory diseases, infectious and parasitic diseases, hemorrhage, and thrombocytopenia (low platelets).
Its strong purgative and laxative effects can be used to treat constipation.
Chrysophanol has hemostatic effects (stops bleeding), and is often used for bleeding in the gastrointestinal system.
The LD₅₀ of rhubarb root is 250-500mg/kg. The LD₅₀ of chrysophanol is 10grams/kg and is very safe.

Salviae miltiorrhziae radix (Salvia)

Salvia improves the microcirculation in the liver. It markedly increases liver blood flow in acute and chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) toxic models.⁹ The fibrosis preventive effects of Salvia are mainly the result of its microcirculation improving effects.
Salvia also improves microcirculation in people with coronary disease. In one study, 70% of the patients’ conjunctiva and nail fold microcirculation improved with treatment.¹⁰ In animal studies, the extract of this herb reversed the peripheral microcirculation blockage caused by intravenous infusion of 10% dextran.¹⁰ It can increase blood supply to the heart and ischemic tissue.
In the CCl₄ toxic rat model, salvia can quickly lower ALT, and reduce inflammation, necrosis, and steatosis (fatty liver degeneration). In the control group, CCl₄ caused liver collagen and globulin to increase from 19.8 mg/g to 51.4 mg/g, and 14.21 mg/g to 23.04 mg/g, respectively. Every rat in the control group developed cirrhosis. In the salvia treated group, not a single rat developed cirrhosis, nor did the collagen and globulin increase.¹¹

Schizandrae fructus

Animal studies have shown the alcohol extract of the kernel of the fruit of schizandra (AEKFS) has many pharmacological activities such as:

lowering ALT caused by CCl₄ induced liver damage

reducing fat deposits in liver cells caused by CCl₄ intake

reducing the histological damage of the liver cells caused by CCl₄

promoting glycogen and serum protein synthesis in the liver

promoting liver regeneration after partial removal of the liver, and

ncreasing metabolic enzymes in the liver.

Clinical trials using tablets made from the whole AEKFS conducted in three hospitals in China found that of 107 chronic viral hepatitis cases, ALT was normalized for 73 with an associated improvement in clinical symptoms. There were no serious side effects reported.¹²

Sophorae subprostratae radix

The active ingredient of this herb is oxymatrine. In three commonly used liver damage models (CCl₄ induced rabbit, rat, and mouse liver damage models), oxymatrine prevented liver cell damage. Compared with the control group, the oxymatine treated group had much lower ALT, less liver cell necrosis, and much less inflammation.¹³
Oxymatrine can increase cytochrome P-450 content and activity, and increase the amount of smooth surfaced endoplasmic reticulum of the liver cell.
This herb is an inducer of the cytochrome P-450 system. Thus, it can strengthen the detoxification capability of the liver. It also has viral suppressive, anti-inflammatory, immunoregulatory, anticancer, and leukogenic (raising the white blood cell count) effects.

Herbal Formulas

Capillaris Combination

This is a very old and famous formula that was formulated by the Chinese medical sage Zhang Zhongjing about 2,000 years ago.
Clinical Pharmacology

Clears dampness-heat type jaundice that manifests as bright yellowish coloration of the eyes and skin, oliguria with dark yellow urine, yellow and greasy fur on the tongue, a smooth and rapid pulse, and other signs and symptoms.

The whole formula has cholegogic and choleretic (facilitating bile secretion) effects. Intraduodenal administration of the alcohol extracts of this formula in rats markedly increased the bile collected by up to 51.28%, and increased the solid composition of the bile by 85%.¹⁴ Its choleretic effects are mainly due to increasing the secretion of the bile in the micro bile ducts.

It has liver protective effects and can reduce the liver damage caused by a-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT). While using this formula, the ALP, total bilirubin, ALT, and AST elevations caused by ANIT all improved dramatically.¹⁵

Histological examination revealed that hypertrophy of the micro bile duct cells, necrosis of liver cells, and inflammatory cell infiltration were much milder in treated animals compared with the untreated control group. The liver glycogen and RNA content were normalized, and the ALT activity was markedly reduced.¹⁶

This formula was first created by the National Medical Bureau of the Song Dynasty about 1,000 years ago.

Clinical Pharmacology

This formula is used for strengthening digestion and vital energy. It is helpful for treating diarrhea, poor appetite, emaciation, and white and greasy fur on the tongue.

This formula can improve absorption in the intestinal tract. Giving the decoction of the formula increased water and chloride absorption in the intestine of rabbits under anesthesia.²⁰ It is an antagonist to the spastic effects of acetylcholine on the intestine.

HerSom Capsule

Clinical Pharmacology

This formula has been studied in teaching hospitals in China. Randomized, controlled clinical trials have shown that this formula has sleep-inducing effects and improves the quality of sleep. In a study of 374 patients, improvement in sleep was found to be statistically equivalent to that of methaqualone.²¹ HerbSom formula is not habit forming and has no hangover effect.

The pharmacological data of these herbs show that they may also have many beneficial effects on the cardiovascular and neurological systems of the body.

These herbs have no harmful effects on the liver.

Caution: Keep this formula out of reach of children. This product should not be taken while driving a car or operating heavy machinery.

This formula can quickly stop bleeding in rat and rabbit liver injury models, and rabbit large artery injury models.²² It has been shown to dramatically reduce clotting time in human and rabbit experiments.²³ The hemostatic effects begin 30 minutes after administration, and peaks 2-3 hours after administration. These effects can last for more than four hours. The hemostatic effect is due to a permeability change in the cell membranes of platelets. This causes the release of clotting factors from platelets that promote clotting.

This formula can suppress inflammation in various animal models.²⁴ The strength of its antiinflammatory effect is similar to that of corticosteroids.

It also has analgesic and antineoplastic (antitumor) effects.