dai-saiko-to

Dai-saiko-to (Da-Chai-Hu-Tang) is a traditional Kampo (Japanese-Chinese) herbal medicine composed of eight crude drugs: Bupleurum root, Scutellaria root, Rhubarb, Peony root, Immature Orange, Ginger, Jujube, and Pinellia tuber. It is primarily used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, gastrointestinal issues, and metabolic conditions such as hyperlipidemia and obesity. Its pharmacological actions include the inhibition of gastric H+/K+-ATPase and phosphodiesterase (PDE) enzymes, modulation of lipid metabolism through increased LDL-receptor expression, and decreased triglyceride biosynthesis. It also exhibits antioxidant properties and can influence hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes by inducing several Cytochrome P450 isoforms. While generally considered safe and widely used in Japan, it has been associated with rare adverse events such as interstitial pneumonia and drug-induced liver injury.

Brand names

Dai-saiko-to

Other names

Da-Chai-Hu-TangMajor Bupleurum Combination