Shugan Xiaozhi decoction

Shugan Xiaozhi decoction is a composite traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription composed of 12 herbs, including pleuri Radix, Paeoniae radix alba (stir-baked), Aurantii Fructus Immaturus, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Artemisiae Scopariae Herba, Gardeniae Fructus, Poria, Alismatis Rhizoma, Crataegi Fructus, Cassiae Semen, Nelumbinis Folium and Pumex. It has been used clinically for over 20 years in China primarily for the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)[1][2][3][4][5]. The mechanism of action is multi-targeted and includes modulation of lipid metabolism; anti-inflammatory effects via suppression of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway; regulation of apoptosis-related proteins such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α; improvement in oxidative stress; repair of intestinal mucosal barrier; and modulation of gut microbiota[4][6]. Key active components identified include quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, naringenin and nobiletin[6]. Preclinical studies show that it reduces aminotransferases (ALT/AST), total cholesterol and triglycerides while improving liver histology in animal models[3][4].

Other names

shugan xiaozhi decoctionSGXZ decoctionSX