Sho-saiko-to
Encyclopedia
Sho-Saiko-To also known as Minor Bupleurum Formula and Xiao Chai Hu Tang in Chinese, is a herbal supplement, believed to enhance liver
health. Sho-Saiko-To is a widely used prescription drug in Japan
and is a listed formula in Japanese Kampo
. There are currently ongoing clinical trials for Sho-Saiko-To at University of California, San Diego
and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
. The active ingredients of Sho-Saiko-To discovered so far include:
regeneration and preventing liver
injury. It has also been shown to improve immune system functions and inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma
. It is typically used to treat Hepatitis
and liver cirrhosis
.
treatment, and can lead to health complications if taken concurrent with interferon
treatment.
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
health. Sho-Saiko-To is a widely used prescription drug in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and is a listed formula in Japanese Kampo
Kampo
, alternatively shortened as just , is the Japanese study and adaptation of Traditional Chinese medicine. The basic works of Chinese medicine came to Japan between the 7th and 9th centuries. Since then, the Japanese have created their own unique herbal medical system and diagnosis...
. There are currently ongoing clinical trials for Sho-Saiko-To at University of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
The University of California, San Diego, commonly known as UCSD or UC San Diego, is a public research university located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States...
and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
. The active ingredients of Sho-Saiko-To discovered so far include:
- BaicalinBaicalinBaicalin is a flavone, a type of flavonoid. It is found in several species in the genus Scutellaria, including Scutellaria lateriflora . There are 10 mg/g baicalin in Scutellaria galericulata leaves...
- BaicaleinBaicaleinBaicalein is a flavone, a type of flavonoid, originally isolated from the roots of Scutellaria baicalensis. It is also reported in Oroxylum indicum or Indian trumpetflower...
- GlycyrrhizinGlycyrrhizinGlycyrrhizin is the main sweet-tasting compound from liquorice root. It is 30–50 times as sweet as sucrose . Pure glycyrrhizin is odorless....
- Saikosaponins
- GinsenosideGinsenosideGinsenosides are a class of steroid glycosides, and triterpene saponins, found exclusively in the plant genus Panax .Ginsenosides have been the target of research, as they are viewed as the active compounds behind the claims of ginseng's efficacy...
s - WogoninWogoninWogonin is an O-methylated flavone, a flavonoid-like chemical compound which was found in Scutellaria baicalensisThe glycosides of wogonin are known as wogonosides. For example, oroxindin is a wogonin glucuronide isolated from Oroxylum indicum...
- GingerolGingerolGingerol, or sometimes [6]-gingerol, is the active constituent of fresh ginger. Chemically, gingerol is a relative of capsaicin and piperine, the compounds which give chilli peppers and black pepper their respective spicyness...
Health benefits
Sho-Saiko-To reportedly aids in liver health by promoting liverLiver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
regeneration and preventing liver
Liver
The liver is a vital organ present in vertebrates and some other animals. It has a wide range of functions, including detoxification, protein synthesis, and production of biochemicals necessary for digestion...
injury. It has also been shown to improve immune system functions and inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States...
. It is typically used to treat Hepatitis
Hepatitis
Hepatitis is a medical condition defined by the inflammation of the liver and characterized by the presence of inflammatory cells in the tissue of the organ. The name is from the Greek hepar , the root being hepat- , meaning liver, and suffix -itis, meaning "inflammation"...
and liver cirrhosis
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is a consequence of chronic liver disease characterized by replacement of liver tissue by fibrosis, scar tissue and regenerative nodules , leading to loss of liver function...
.
Side effects
Sho-Saiko-To reacts adversely with interferonInterferon
Interferons are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.IFNs belong to...
treatment, and can lead to health complications if taken concurrent with interferon
Interferon
Interferons are proteins made and released by host cells in response to the presence of pathogens—such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites—or tumor cells. They allow communication between cells to trigger the protective defenses of the immune system that eradicate pathogens or tumors.IFNs belong to...
treatment.