Dredging liver

The term 'Dredging liver' (often translated from the Chinese 'Shu Gan') refers to a core therapeutic principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rather than a specific biological molecule, receptor, or enzyme [2, 3]. It describes the physiological action of ensuring the smooth and unobstructed flow of 'Qi' and blood through the liver system, which is believed to regulate emotional well-being and digestive functions [8, 10]. While not a canonical drug target in Western pharmacology, some research attempts to map this principle to the activation of the glutathione redox cycle and the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes [2, 3]. Clinically, 'dredging the liver' is the primary intended effect of various multi-herb formulas like Xiaoyao San, which are used to treat conditions categorized as liver stagnation, such as depression, anxiety, and hormonal imbalances [10, 11]. Because it represents a holistic functional outcome achieved through complex multi-component interventions rather than a discrete protein or gene, it is classified as an incorrect designation for a specific molecular therapeutic target [3].

Other names

ShuganSoothing the liverLiver-dredgingRegulating liver QiSoothing liver and regulating Qi

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the mechanism involves the promotion of smooth circulation of 'Qi' through the liver meridian to resolve stagnation [10]. Modern research has proposed that this clinical effect may correlate with the enhancement of the glutathione redox cycle, specifically by increasing the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) [2, 3].