shugan liangxue decoction

Shugan Liangxue Decoction is a traditional Chinese herbal formula developed by Professor Pingping Li at the Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Beijing Cancer Hospital. It is primarily used to ameliorate hot flushes in breast cancer patients and has been studied for its antitumor effects. The formula consists of several herbs including Bupleurum chinense DC., Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst., Paeonia lactiflora Pall., Paeonia suffruticosa Andr., Cynanchum atratum Bge., and Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. Experimental studies have shown that Shugan Liangxue Decoction can reduce tumor volumes in animal models and inhibit proliferation of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells without significant estrogenic activity. Its mechanism involves downregulation of key enzymes involved in estrogen biosynthesis such as aromatase and steroid sulfatase (STS), as well as selective inhibition of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). The decoction acts as a selective estrogen enzyme modulator by downregulating STS expression, thereby potentially reducing local estrogen production within tumors[1][2].

Other names

SGLXDShu Gan Liang Xue Decoction