Pingmu Decoction

Pingmu Decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbal formula used primarily for the treatment of Graves' ophthalmopathy (also known as thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy or TAO), particularly in its inactive stage. The decoction consists of a combination of several herbs, including Astragalus, Herba epimedii (Epimedium brevicornu Maxim), root of red-rooted Salvia (Salvia miltiorrhiza), Semen brassicae, Plantago seed, and Oldenlandia diffusa. Mechanistically, Pingmu Decoction has been shown to reduce the viability and proliferation of orbital preadipocytes and induce apoptosis in mature adipocytes derived from patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy. This effect is mediated through activation of programmed cell death via the Fas/Fas ligand signaling pathway and downregulation of key adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα). These actions result in reduced lipid accumulation within orbital tissues[1][2][5]. Clinical studies have evaluated its use alone or combined with acupuncture for non-active thyroid-related ophthalmopathy[3].

Brand names

Pingmu Decoction

Other names

Pingmu Tang