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Planta Med 2013; 79(07): 533-537
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1328261
Women's Health
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Importance of Wine-Treated Angelica Sinensis Radix in Si Wu Tang, a Traditional Herbal Formula for Treating Womenʼs Ailments

Janis Y. X. Zhan
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
Ken Y. Z. Zheng
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
Kevin Y. Zhu
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
Wendy L. Zhang
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
Cathy W. C. Bi
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
J. P. Chen
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
Crystal Y. Q. Du
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
Tina T. X. Dong
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
David T. W. Lau
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
,
Karl W. K. Tsim
1   Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 10 August 2012
revised 06 January 2013

accepted 22 January 2013

Publication Date:
01 March 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Si Wu Tang (Four Agents Decoction), a traditional Chinese decoction composed of Angelica Sinensis Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Alba, and Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata in a ratio of 1 : 1 : 1 : 1, has been used to treat womenʼs diseases for more than a thousand years. According to the original description of Si Wu Tang, Angelica Sinensis Radix should be treated with wine. However, the importance of this wine-treated Angelica Sinensis Radix in Si Wu Tangʼs function has not been identified. In this article, the chemical and biological properties of two decoctions processed in different ways (Si Wu Tang with crude Angelica Sinensis Radix and Si Wu Tang with wine-treated Angelica Sinensis Radix) were compared for examination. The herbal decoction Si Wu Tang prepared from wine-treated Angelica Sinensis Radix contained much different amounts of its active compounds. Compared with Si Wu Tang using crude Angelica Sinensis Radix, Si Wu Tang prepared from wine-treated Angelica Sinensis Radix had better biological responses. Therefore, these findings accentuate the functional importance of herbs treated with wine in the Chinese decoction.

Key words

Angelica sinensis - Umbelliferae - Si Wu Tang - traditional Chinese medicine - wine treatment

Supporting Information

 

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