Long Dan Xie Gan Tang

Long Dan Xie Gan Tang mainly functions to purge dampness and heat in the liver and gallbladder. It is primarily used to treat symptoms induced by dampness and heat in the liver and gallbladder, such as dizziness, reddish eyes, gingival swelling and pain, tinnitus and deafness, bitter taste in the mouth, pain in hypochondrium, reddish urine, urination difficulty, and leukorrhea.

Pregnancy: Exercise caution when prescribing this formula to pregnant women.

Anti-inflammatory effects: At dosages of 2.5g/kg, 5g/kg, and 10g/kg, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can inhibit increases in capillary permeability in mice and egg albumin-induced edema in rats.(3)

Anti-anaphylectic effect: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can inhibit passive skin allergic reaction in rats. The formula is also effective in protecting guinea pigs from death due to anaphylactic shock.(4)

Enhancing immunity: Administered to young mice by intraperitoneal injection at the daily dosage of 50g/kg for six consecutive days, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is shown to increase the weight of the subjects' thymus gland. The formula is also shown to increase macrophages' phagocytic capacity, raising both the phagocytic rate and index, and promote lymphocyte transformation.(5) Furthermore, experiments show that the formula has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on induced intra-macrophage formation of NO.(6)

Anti-oxidation effect: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is effective in eliminating peroxide anion free radicals and hydroxide free radicals. It also inhibits lipid peroxidation induced by hydroxide free radicals.(7)

Anti-convulsive effect: Administered to mice by endogastric infusion at 15.25/kg, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang can counteract convulsion.(8)

Lu treated 29 cases of acute scrotal eczema with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Ze Xie (Alisma), Mu Tong (Akebia), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Che Qian Zi (Paintain Seed), Ku Shen (Sophora Root), Cang Zhu (Atractylodes), Bai Xian Pi (Dittany Bark), Di Fu Zi (Kochia), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root). The formula was used for washing and oral administration. The results: after 1-3 courses of treatment, all cases resolved.(10)

Huang, et al. treated 27 cases of chronic scrotal eczema with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (oral administration, in boluses) and Hua Tuo Gao (external application, in paste). A comparison group of 22 cases was treated with decloxizine (oral administration) and dycloninine cream (external application). After 6 weeks of treatment, all cases in both groups resolved. However, the amount of time it took for the cases of the treatment group to resolve was shorter (P<0.001).(11)

Zhou, et al. used Long Dan Xie Gan Tang granular infusion to treat 60 cases of dermatosis (including eczema, herpes zoster, and contact dermatitis). Another 30 cases were treated with a decoction of the formula. The results: the two groups had a proportionately similar number of cases in different effectiveness categories. Specifically, of the group taking the granular infusion, 19 cases resolved, 20 cases improved, and 21 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 65%. The corresponding numbers for the group taking decoction were 9, 11, 10, and 66.6% respectively.(12)

Shingles
Chen, et al. treated 156 cases of shingles with this formula. A comparison group of 138 cases was treated with acyclovir. An external lotion was used in both groups as a supplemental treatment. The results: of the treatment group, 134 resolved, 17 much improved, 11 improved, and 5 did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 96.79%. The corresponding numbers for the comparison group were 69, 17, 38, 14, and 89.86% respectively (P<0.05).(13)

Zhu treated 40 cases of shingles with modifications of this formula. For patients with severe fever, Mu Dan Pi (Moutan), Chi Shao (Red Peony), and Da Huang (Rhubarb) were added to the formula; for patients with accumulated dampness, Fu Ling (Poria) and Cang Zhu (Atractylodes) were added; and for patients with blood vesicles, Hong Hua (Carthamus) and Tao Ren (Persica) were used. In addition, Liu Shen Wan (moistened with vinegar) was used for external application. The results: 36 cases resolved, 3 cases improved, and 1 case did not respond to the treatment.(14)

Boils
Zhou, et al. treated 60 cases of boils with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Ze Xie (Alisma), Che Qian Zi (Plaintain Seed), Mu Tong (Akebia), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Pi Pa Ye (Loquat Leaf), Sang Bai Pi (Morus Bark), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), Huang Lian (Coptis), and Shi Gao (Gypsum). The formula was administered 50ml each time, twice a day. A comparison group of 40 cases was treated with minocin capsules. The results: of the treatment group and the comparison group, respectively; 30 and 19 cases were resolved, 20 and 14 cases improved, and 10 and 7 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 83.3% and 82.5%.(15)

Epididymo-testitis
Chen treated 23 cases of epididymo-testitis with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Huang Bo (Phellodendron), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Mu Tong (Akebia), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Niu Xi (Achyranthes), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Gan Cao (Licorice), Che Qian Cao (Plantain), and Ze Xie (Alisma). The results: after 3-7 doses, 100% of the cases recovered.(16)

Liu, et al. treated 58 cases of acute testitis with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Mu Tong (Akebia), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Ze Xie (Alisma), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Chai Hu (Publeurum), Dang Gui Wei (Dang Gui Tail), Che Qian Zi (Paintain Seed), and Gan Cao (Licorice). Decoction of the formula was administered orally, and the dregs were further boiled in water for a secondary decoction used to wash the affected area. The results: 49 cases resolved, 8 much improved, 2 improved, and 1 did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 98.2%.(17)

Impotence and Prospermia
Zhang treated 36 cases of impotence with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Zhi Zi (processed Gardenia), Che Qian Zi (Plaintain Seed), Ze Xie (Alisma), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Bai Shao (Peony Root), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Gou Qi Zi (Lycium Fruit), and Wu Gong (Centipede). Twenty days constituted one course of treatment. The results: 10 cases resolved, 19 cases improved, and the remaining 7 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 80.56%.(18)

Xiao treated 60 cases of prospermia with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Huang Bo (Phellodendron), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan), Chi Shao (Red Peony), Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathulae), Che Qian Zi (Plaintain Seed), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), and Gan Cao (Licorice). The results: 23 cases much improved, 31 cases improved, and the remaining 6 cases did not respond to the treatment.(19)

Acute pelvic inflammation
Yang, et al. treated 200 cases of acute inflammation pelvic inflammation with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Che Qian Zi (Plaintain Seed), Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Ze Xie (Alisma), Sheng Di Huang (Rehmannia Root), Dang Gui (Dang Gui), Mu Tong (Akebia), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Ru Xiang (Mastic), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Mo Yao (Myrhh). The treatment was administered outside the menstruation period and one course of treatment called for the administration of five doses of the formula. The result: 66 cases resolved, 98 cases much improved, 31 cases improved, and the remaining 5 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 97.5%.(20)

Bacterial vaginitis
Zhang, et al. treated 48 cases of bacterial vaginitis with this formula. A comparison group of 32 cases was treated with tinidazole. Seven days constituted one course of treatment for both groups. The results: of the two groups (the treatment group and the comparison group, respectively), 30 and 21 cases resolved, 5 and 3 cases much improved, 9 and 5 cases improved, and 4 and 3 cases did not respond to the treatment.(21)

Pruritus genitalium
Tian, et al. treated 46 cases of pruritus genitalium with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Chuan Lian Zi (Melia), Yi Yi Ren (Coix), Bai Xian Pi (Dittany Bark), Che Qian Zi (Plantain Seed), Bai Shao (Peony Root), Niu Xi (Achyranthes), Huang Bo (Phellodendron), Ku Shen (Sophora Root), and Hua Shi (Talc). Decoction of these herbs was orally administered. In addition, a lotion made from She Chuang Zi (Cnidium Fruit), Huang Bo (Phellodendron), Huang Lian (Coptis), Ku Shen (Sophora Root), and Bai Fan (Alum) was used to wash the affected area. The results: 44 cases resolved and the remaining 2 cases improved.(22)

Conjunctivitis
Yu treated 105 cases of endemic hemorrhagic conjunctivitis with this formula (10ml each time, three times a day), and reported a resolution rate of 100% after six days of treatment.(23)

Zhong treated 31 cases of gonorrheal conjunctivitis with a modification of this formula. The modified formula consisted of Long Dan Cao (Gentaina Root), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Mu Tong (Akebia), Huang Qin (Scutellaria), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Mu Dan Pi (Moutan), Xia Ku Cao (Prunella), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera Flower), and Bai Hua She She Cao (Oldenlandia). In addition, normal saline was used to wash the affected eyes and 0.5% erythromycin was used as an eyedrop. The results: 20 cases resolved, 8 cases improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate was 91%.(24)

Fan treated 52 cases of purulent tympanitis with this formula and reported the following results: 38 cases resolved, 10 cases improved, and remaining 4 cases did not respond to the treatment.(25)