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A quick reference to results of Japanese studies to determine not only its efficacy, but also its mode of action and safety, for the formula Chai Hu Long Gu Mu Li Tang also known as Bupleurum and Dragon Bone combination followed with more detail in text. To extend our knowledge, facilitate integrative therapies and stimulate discussion.
- Decreases LDL
- Reduces hypertension
- Reduces vasoconstriction
- Reduces tachycardia
- Decreases stress - cortisol
- Reduces soft tissue calcification
- Antioxidant
Blood Lipid Profile
Taking Bupleurum and Dragon Bone significantly lowers LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. There were no changes noted in VLDL or HDL cholesterol levels, though triglycerides decreased slightly.1,2 In addition to this, there was a significant decrease in the atheromatous plaques in the intimal surface area of the thoracic aortae.
The authors conclude the results suggest that Bupleurum and Dragon Bone may protect against hypercholesterolemia and atheromatous lesions by affecting apoE and LDL receptor mRNA gene expression in the liver.2
Blood Pressure
The effects of Bupleurum and Dragon Bone on rats with increases in arterial blood pressure, heart rate and peripheral blood flow induced by the stimulant theophylline were examined. Theophylline stimulates endogenous catecholamine production. Bupleurum and Dragon Bone ameliorated the hypertension in the sympathetic system dominant state.3 That is, it lowered stress-induced blood pressure rises.
It is proposed that the antihypertensive effects of this herbal formula could be related to inhibition of noradrenaline- induced vasoconstriction.4,5
Vascular Effects
A study on the effect of Bupleurum and Dragon Bone on the vasoconstriction of cutaneous arterioles induced by nor-adrenaline was carried out using a rabbit ear chamber. The pretreatment with the TCM formula significantly reduced the changes of the average diameter of NA- induced vasoconstriction and also shortened its duration.5
Heart Rate
In addition to lowering hypertension, Bupleurum and Dragon Bone reduces stress-induced increases in heart rate.3
Another study using theophylline to induce tachycardia in rats and convulsions in mice examined the effect of Bupleurum and Dragon Bone on these reactions. Administration of the herbs prevented the tachycardia, lowered the increase in arterial blood pressure and reduced the increased heart rate of the rats treated with theophylline. In the mice the latency of convulsions was prolonged by treatment with Bupleurum and Dragon Bone and 7 out of 15 mice were saved from death due to convulsions. These results suggest that theophylline- induced tachycardia and Bupleurum and Dragon Bone suppress central nervous stimulation.6
Antistress Effects
The common theme throughout the research findings is the calming effect of Bupleurum and Dragon Bone formula on nervous system-induced cardiovascular pathologies. Specifically this formula seems to be effective in stress involving emotional factors and that the antistress effect of SRBT is dependent strongly on the degree of psychological change compared with physical changes.7, 8, 9
Bupleurum and Dragon Bone has a cortisol-lowering effect under stress. Again this effect occurs on psychological stress models, not physical stress.10
Tissue Calcification
When looking at spontaneous soft tissue mineralisation of the heart and tongue in mice, in only two weeks, administration of Bupleurum and Dragon Bone, reduced heart calcium content by 50% and phosphorous by 35%. At four weeks tongue calcification was reduced by 79% and phosphorous by 32%. These results strongly suggest that this formula may be useful in preventing and curing soft tissue calcification.11
Antioxidant
Studies suggest that the pharmacological action of Chinese herbal medicines used for the reduction of post- ischemic brain damage not only have a free-radical scavenging activity, but also have a suppressive effect on the generation of lipid peroxidation.12,13
Bupleurum and Dragon Bone is a traditional Chinese-Japanese medicine formula clinically used for the treatment of hypertension and/or atherosclerosis concurrent with stress disorders.
| 1 |
Nomura S, et al.Effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to in patients with hyperlipidemia. Phytomedicine. 8(3):165-73, 2001 May. |
| 2 |
Yoshie F, et al. Protective effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to (Chai-Hu-Jia-Long-Gu-Mu-Li-Tang) against atherosclerosis in Kurosawa and Kusanagihypercholesterolemic (KHC) rabbits. Pharmacological Re search. 43(5):481-8, 2001 May. |
| 3 |
Sanae F, et al. Effects of 9 Kampo medicines clinically used in hypertension on hemodynamic changes induced by theophylline in rats. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 23(6):762-5, 2000 Jun. |
| 4 |
Wei MJ, et al. Endothelium-dependent and - independent vasoactive actions of a Japanese kampo medicine, Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 51(1):38-43, 1997. |
| 5 |
Okano H et al. Anti-pressor effect of a Chinese-Japanese herbal medicine, saiko-ka-ryukotsuborei- to on hemodynamics in rabbits. In Vivo. 13(4):333-7, 1999 Jul-Aug. |
| 6 |
Sanae F, et al. Effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to, a Japanese Kampo medicine, on tachycardia and central nervous system stimulation induced by theophylline in rats and mice. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. 79(3):283-8, 1999 Mar. |
| 7 |
Sasaki K, et al. Increase in monoamine levels caused by emotional stress in mice brain regions is attenuated by Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to. Methods & Findings in Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology. 20(1):27-30, 1998 Jan-Feb. |
| 8 |
Iizuka S, et al. Effects of Saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to on irritable characteristics in El mice. Methods & Findings in Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology. 20(1):19-26, 1998 Jan-Feb. |
| 9 |
Fukushima M. [Profiles of effects of traditional oriental herbal medicines on central nervous systems in humans--assessment of saiboku-to and saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to using EEG and pharmacokinetics of herbal medicine-derived ingredients as indices]. [Japanese] Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi - Psychiatria et Neurologia Japonica. 99(6):355-69, 1997. |
| 10 |
Sasaki K, et al. Effect of saiko-ka-ryukotsu-borei-to on the stress-induced increase of serum corticosterone in mice. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 18(4):563-5, 1995 Apr. |
| 11 |
Hidaka S, et al. Inhibitory effects of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate and Chinese traditional (kampo) medicines on calcification of the heart and tongue in DBA/2NCrj mice. American Journal of Chinese Medicine. 24(1):65-75, 1996. |
| 12 |
Fushitani S, et al. [Studies on attenuation of post-ischemic brain injury by kampo medicinesinhibitory effects of free radical production. II]. [Japanese] Yakugaku Zasshi - Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. 115(8):611-7, 1995 Aug. |
| 13 |
Fushitani S, et al. [Studies on attenuation of post-ischemic brain injury by kampo medicinesinhibitory effects of free radical production. I.]. [Japanese] Yakugaku Zasshi - Journal of the Pharmaceutical Society of Japan. 114(6):388- 94, 1994 Jun. |
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