Shosaikoto

Shosaikoto

Chinese: Xiao Chai Hu Tang

English: Minor Bupleurum Decoction

Source: Shanghanlun (Treatise on Cold Damage Diseases)

Pulse: bowstring

Tongue: red body, thin white fur

Abdomen: shinkahiko, kyokyokuman

Indications: This herbal formula has been used for patients with following health conditions and symptoms:

  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Nervousness
  • Easily upset
  • Insomnia
  • Poor appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Heart burn
  • Cold (alternating fever and chills)
  • Bitter taste in mouth

There are many other health conditions that may respond well to this herbal formula, in particular patients exhibiting indicative traditional diagnostic signs and symptoms.

Herbs in This Formula

 

Note: Suggested dosages of each herb in Kampo formulas are often smaller than those of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Individual dosages of herbs may be adjusted depending on each patient’s condition, constitutional patterns, quality of the herbs, and other factors involved.

Abdominal pattern (fukusho) of Shosaiko (from Fukusho Kiran, 1800)

 

Basic and Clinical Research on Shosaikoto (Xiao Chai Hu Tang ) – Updated on Mar 30, 2011

Nishimura, N., Uemura, T., Iwamoto, K. & Naora, K. Change in tolbutamide permeability in rat jejunum and Caco-2 cells by Sho-saiko-to (Xiao Chai Hu Tang), a Chinese traditional medicine. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology 62, 651-657 (2010).

Hiroshima, Y., et al. Shosaikoto increases calprotectin expression in human oral epithelial cells. Journal of periodontal research 45, 79-86 (2010).

Ara, T., et al. Preventive effects of a Kampo medicine, Shosaikoto, on inflammatory responses in LPS-treated human gingival fibroblasts. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin 31, 1141-1144 (2008).

Chang, J.S., et al. Sho-saiko-to (Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang) and crude saikosaponins inhibit hepatitis B virus in a stable HBV-producing cell line. The American journal of Chinese medicine 35, 341-351 (2007).

Hsu, L.M., Huang, Y.S., Tsay, S.H., Chang, F.Y. & Lee, S.D. Acute hepatitis induced by Chinese hepatoprotective herb, xiao-chai-hu-tang. J Chin Med Assoc 69, 86-88 (2006).

Cheng, P.W., Ng, L.T. & Lin, C.C. Xiao chai hu tang inhibits CVB1 virus infection of CCFS-1 cells through the induction of Type I interferon expression. International immunopharmacology 6, 1003-1012 (2006).

Nishimura, N., Naora, K., Hirano, H. & Iwamoto, K. Effects of sho-saiko-to (xiao chai hu tang), a Chinese traditional medicine, on the gastric function and absorption of tolbutamide in rats. Yakugaku Zasshi 121, 153-159 (2001).

Kaji M, Kashiwagi S, Yamakido M, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of TSUMURA Shosaikoto (TJ-9) for common cold. Rinsho to Kenkyu (Japanese Journal of Clinical and Experimental Study) 78: 2252-68 (2001).

Inoue, M. Shosaikoto as a potential antiatherosclerotic agent. Drug news & perspectives 13, 407-412 (2000).

Huang, Y., Marumo, K. & Murai, M. Antitumor effects and pharmacological interaction of xiao-chai-hu-tang (sho-saiko-to) and interleukin 2 in murine renal cell carcinoma. The Keio journal of medicine 46, 132-137 (1997).

Shen, Y.R., Inoue, M. & Ogihara, Y. Effect of Shosaikoto (Kampo medicine) on the adherence of monocytes in hypercholesterolemic rabbit. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin 19, 149-152 (1996).

Shen, Y.R., Inoue, M., Nagatsu, Y., Ogihara, Y. & Aburada, M. Anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic actions of shosaikoto (kampo medicine). Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin 19, 1160-1165 (1996).

Inoue, M., Shen, Y.R. & Ogihara, Y. Restorative effect of shosaikoto (kampo medicine) on diminution of nitric oxide synthesis in murine peritoneal macrophages induced by hypercholesterolemia. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin 19, 1468-1473 (1996).

Inoue, M., Shen, Y.R. & Ogihara, Y. Shosaikoto (kampo medicine) protects macrophage function from suppression by hypercholesterolemia. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin 19, 652-654 (1996).

Itoh, S., Marutani, K., Nishijima, T., Matsuo, S. & Itabashi, M. Liver injuries induced by herbal medicine, syo-saiko-to (xiao-chai-hu-tang). Digestive diseases and sciences 40, 1845-1848 (1995).

Fujiwara, K., et al. Regulation of hepatic macrophage function by oral administration of xiao-chai-hu-tang (sho-saiko-to, TJ-9) in rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology 46, 107-114 (1995).

Kaneko, M., et al. Augmentation of NK activity after oral administration of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (shosaiko-to). Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 16, 41-53 (1994).

Tauchi, Y., et al. Enhancement of immunoglobulin A production in Peyer’s patches by oral administration of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Shosaiko-to). Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 15, 251-272 (1993).

Tanaka N, Matsuzaki Y, Osuga T, et al. A comparative study of IFN monotherapy versus IFN plus TJ-9 shosaikoto combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C (interim report). Progress in Medicine 13: 2868-72 (1993).

Matsuura, K., et al. Role of B-lymphocytes in the immunopharmacological effects of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (shosaiko-to). International journal of immunopharmacology 15, 237-243 (1993).

Hirayama C, Okumura M, Tanikawa K, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of Shosaiko-to in chronic active hepatitis. Analysis of serum enzyme activities. Kan-Tan-Sui 25: 551-8 (1992).

Nagatsu, Y., Inoue, M. & Ogihara, Y. Effects of Shosaikoto (kampo medicine) on lipid metabolism in macrophages. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin 40, 1828-1830 (1992).

Mori T, Tauchi K, Yokoyama S, et al. Effects of Sho-saiko-to (Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang) on thrombocytopenia bei therapy with anti-cancer drugs. Sanfujinka Chiryo (Obstetrical and Gynecological Therapy) 65: 102-5 (1992).

Yen, M.H., Lin, C.C., Chuang, C.H. & Liu, S.Y. Evaluation of root quality of Bupleurum species by TLC scanner and the liver protective effects of “xiao-chai-hu-tang” prepared using three different Bupleurum species. Journal of ethnopharmacology 34, 155-165 (1991).

Tatsuta, M., Iishi, H., Baba, M., Nakaizumi, A. & Uehara, H. Inhibition by xiao-chai-hu-tang (TJ-9) of development of hepatic foci induced by N-nitrosomorpholine in Sprague-Dawley rats. Jpn J Cancer Res 82, 987-992 (1991).

Tajiri, H., et al. Effect of sho-saiko-to(xiao-chai-hu-tang) on HBeAg clearance in children with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and with sustained liver disease. The American journal of Chinese medicine 19, 121-129 (1991).

Yonekura, K., et al. Induction of colony-stimulating factor(s) after administration of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to). Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 12, 647-667 (1990).

Kawakita, T., et al. Induction of interferon after administration of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (shosaiko-to). International journal of immunopharmacology 12, 515-521 (1990).

Inoue, M., Kikuta, Y., Nagatsu, Y. & Ogihara, Y. Response of liver to glucocorticoid is altered by administration of shosaikoto (kampo medicine). Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin 38, 418-421 (1990).

Amagaya, S., Umeda, S.H. & Ogihara, Y. Effects of shosaikoto, an oriental herbal medicinal mixture, on age-induced amnesia in rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology 28, 349-356 (1990).

Amagaya, S. & Ogihara, Y. Effects of shosaikoto, an oriental herbal medicinal mixture, on restraint-stressed mice. Journal of ethnopharmacology 28, 357-363 (1990).

Hirayama C, Okumura M, Tanikawa K, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of shosaiko-to in chronic active hepatitis. Kan-Tan-Sui 20: 751-9 (1990).

Umeda, M., Amagaya, S. & Ogihara, Y. Effect of shosaikoto, daisaikoto and sannoshashinto (traditional Japanese and Chinese medicines) on experimental hyperlipidemia in rats. Journal of ethnopharmacology 26, 255-269 (1989).

Nagatsu, Y., Inoue, M. & Ogihara, Y. Modification of macrophage functions by Shosaikoto (kampo medicine) leads to enhancement of immune response. Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin 37, 1540-1542 (1989).

Kawakita, T., et al. Contribution of cytokines to time-dependent augmentation of resistance against Listeria monocytogenes after administration of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to). Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 11, 233-255 (1989).

Amagaya, S. & Ogihara, Y. Effect of shosaikoto on plasma catecholamines. Journal of ethnopharmacology 26, 271-276 (1989).

Amagaya, S., et al. Treatment of chronic liver injury in mice by oral administration of xiao-chai-hu-tang. Journal of ethnopharmacology 25, 181-187 (1989).

Hirayama C, Okumura M, Tanikawa K, et al. A multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial of Sho-Saiko-To in chronic active hepatitis. Gastroenterologia Japonica 24: 715-9 (1989).

Kumazawa, Y., et al. Activation of murine peritoneal macrophages by intraperitoneal administration of a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to). International journal of immunopharmacology 10, 395-403 (1988).

Kawakita, T., Yamada, A., Mitsuyama, M., Kumazawa, Y. & Nomoto, K. Protective effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to), on Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 10, 345-364 (1988).

Kawakita, T., Yamada, A., Mitsuyama, M., Kumazawa, Y. & Nomoto, K. Protective effect of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to), on Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in mice. Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 9, 523-540 (1987).

Kawakita, T., Yamada, A., Kumazawa, Y. & Nomoto, K. Functional maturation of immature B cells accumulated in the periphery by an intraperitoneal administration of a traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to). Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 9, 299-317 (1987).

Iwama, H., Amagaya, S. & Ogihara, Y. Effect of shosaikoto, a Japanese and Chinese traditional herbal medicinal mixture, on the mitogenic activity of lipopolysaccharide: a new pharmacological testing method. Journal of ethnopharmacology 21, 45-53 (1987).

Kawakita, T., Yamada, A., Kumazawa, Y. & Nomoto, K. Accumulation of immature B and null lymphocytes in the periphery after intraperitoneal administration of traditional Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang (Japanese name: shosaiko-to). Journal of immunopharmacology 8, 561-588 (1986).

Iwama, H., Amagaya, S. & Ogihara, Y. Studies of the combined use of steroid and Shosaikoto, one of the Kampohozai (Chinese traditional medicine), on pituitary adrenocortical axis function and immune responses. Journal of pharmacobio-dynamics 9, 189-196 (1986).

Ito, H. & Shimura, K. Effects of a blended Chinese medicine, xiao-chai-hu-tang, on Lewis lung carcinoma growth and inhibition of lung metastasis, with special reference to macrophage activation. Japanese journal of pharmacology 41, 307-314 (1986).

Amagaya, S., Umeda, M. & Ogihara, Y. Inhibitory action of shosaikoto and daisaikoto (traditional Chinese medicine) on collagen-induced platelet aggregation and prostaglandin biosynthesis. Planta medica, 345-349 (1986).

Shimizu, K., Amagaya, S. & Ogihara, Y. Combination effects of Shosaikoto (Chinese traditional medicine) and prednisolone on the anti-inflammatory action. Journal of pharmacobio-dynamics 7, 891-899 (1984).