Yin Chen Hao Tang

Functions

Yin Chen Hao Tang functions to remove heat and dampness and eliminate jaundice. It is primarily used to treat the following conditions: jaundice due to damp heat, yellowish pigmentation all over the body (in particular, on the face), slight abdominal fullness, mouth dryness without feeling of thirst, difficulty in urination or cloudy urine, tongue coated with heavy yellow fur, pulse that is either deep and rapid or slippery and rapid.

Dosage Info

Decoct Yin Chen first, then Da Huang. Remove dregs. 1 dose a day, divided into three administrations. 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.

Ingredients

Precautions

Side Effects: Literature has reported one case of acute gastritis as a result of taking Yin Chen Hao Tang. (1)

Pharmacology

Protecting the liver: Administered to mice with liver damage caused by D-aminogalactose and lipopolysacchride, ethanol-based extract of Yin Chen Hao Tang can significantly dampen the activity of glutamic-pyruvate transaminase in the serum, lower the level of glutathione-S-epoxida-transferase, and decrease the content of lipo-peroxides in the liver homogenate. At the dosages of 4g/kg, 6g/kg, and 9g/kg, the formula can reduce the serum ALT level in mice with immunological liver damages caused by BCG and lipopolysaccharide. At 6g/kg and 9g/kg, it can increase the level of reduced glutathione in the liver homogenate. (2)

Effects on the release of NO by macrophages: Experiments show that Yin Chen Hao Tang’s ethanol-based extract (0.2-20mg) can inhibit NO from being generated by cultivated peritoneal macrophages of mice. At 100, 150, and 200 minutes, mouse serum containing Yin Chen Hao Tang’s ethanol-based extract can promote the formation of NO by macrophage, and this effect peaks at the 100-minute mark. (3)

Lowering the blood lipid level: Fed to mice of moderately high cholesterol levels, Yin Chen Hao Tang can significantly decrease the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, increase the HDL-C/TC ratio, and decrease the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio. No pathological yellowish spot or plague is found on the blood vessel wall and only slight lipid deposition is found in the visceral organs. (4)

Anti-inflammatory and tranquilizing effects: At 3.0g/kg and 1.00g/kg, Yin Chen Hao Tang can significantly inhibit acetic acid-induced increase in vascular permeability in mice. The inhibition rates are 41.2% and 22.0% at the two dosage levels, respectively. It can also inhibit carrageenin-induced pad edema in rats, with inhibition rates of 50.1% and 13.7%, respectively. Inhibition of acetic acid-induced body twisting in mice and rat pad edema at rates of 59.8% and 37.5%, respectively. (5)

Cholagogic effect: Administered to hamsters by endogastric infusion for 30 days, a modification of Yin Chen Hao Tang is shown to inhibit the formation of cholelithiasis. The same formula also suppresses changes in the gastric atrium caused by gall system diseases, indicating a protective effect for the gastric mucosa. (6)

Anti-tumor effects: Experiments show that Yin Chen Hao Tang has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on sodium nitrite- and N-methylbenzethonium-induced pathological hyperplasic changes to the gastric atrium and the esophageal epithelium in mice, indicating that the formula can block the tumogenic action of sodium nitrite and N-methlbenzethonium, and therefore increasing the cellular immunological function. (7)

Effects on the fluidity of cell membrane: In the early stage of pancreatitis, the fluidity of pancreatic cell membrane, mitochondrial membrane and lysosomal membrane decreases significantly. Yin Chen Hao Tang and its ingredients Da Haung (Rhubarb) and Zhi Zi (Gardenia) are shown to normalize the fluidity. Specifically, Da Haung (Rhubarb) and Zhi Zi (Gardenia) are shown to increase the fluidity of cell membrane, mitochodrial membrane, lysosomal membrane, and Yin Chen Hao Tang is shown to increase the fluidity of lysosomal membrane. (8)

Clinical Applications

Jaundice-type Hepatitis
Yin Chen Hao Tang was used to treat 50 cases of acute jaundice-type hepatitis. Modifications were made according to symptoms. After 3 courses of treatment, 47 cases recovered, 2 cases improved, and 1 case did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate was 98%. (9)

A modification of Yin Chen Hao Tang was used to treat 122 cases of juvenile jaundice-type hepatitis. The results: 100 cases recovered, 20 cases significantly improve, and the remaining 2 cases improved, with a total effective rate of 100%. (10)

Hepatitis A
One hundred and eighty cases of juvenile hepatitis type A were treated with a modification of Yin Chen Hao Tang. The modifications of the formula were as follows: for patients with fever, Chai Hu (Bupleurum) and Huang Qin (Scutellaria) were added to the basic formula; for patients suffering from nausea and vomiting, Sha Ren (Glehnia Root) and Huo Xiang (Agastache) were added; for patients with epigastric fullness, Hou Bu (Magnolia Bark) and Zhi Qiao (Aurantium Fruit), among others, were added; for patients with poor appetite, Jiao San Xian (a mixture of Mai Ya (Malt)), Shan Zha (Crataegus), and Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven)) were added; for patients with yellowish urine, Mu Tong (Akebia) was added; and for patients with high levels of glutamine transferanse, Wu Wei Zi (Schizandra) was added in large dose. The formula was administered daily, spread out in frequent doses throughout the day. The results: 5 cases recovered after 3 doses, another 56 cases recovered after 7 doses, and the remaining 119 cases recovered after 12 doses. (11)

Hepatitis, other than Type A or B
Forty-two cases of hepatitis of neither type A nor type B were treated with Yin Chen Hao Tang. The results: 13 cases recovered, 26 cases improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 92.86%. (12)

Hepatitis E
A modification of Yin Chen Hao Tang was used to treat 20 cases of jaundice-type hepatitis infected by hepatitis virus E. The modified formula consisted of Yin Chen (Oriental Woodworm), Zhi Zi (Gardenia), Long Dan Cao (Gentiana Root), Jin Yin Hua (Lonicera Flower), Fu Ling (Hoelen), Ze Xie (Alisma), Da Huang (Rhubarb), Ji Nei Jin (Membrane of Chicken’s Gizzard), Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root), and Shan Zha (Crataegus). One dose of the formula in decoction, divided into three separate administrations, was taken daily. The results: all 20 patients recovered after being treated for 1-2 months. (13)

Chronic Cholangitis
Thirty-eight cases of chronic cholangitis were treated with Yin Chen Tao Tang plus Chai Hu (Bupleurum) and Chi Shao (Peony Red). The results: 9 cases resolved, 12 cases significantly improved, 13 cases improved, and the remaining 4 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 89.47%. (14)

Primary Hepatoma
Yin Chen Hao Tang was used to treat 48 cases of fever after embolization and chemotherapy for primary hepatoma. Modifications were made according to the patient’s symptoms. The results: 31 cases significantly improved, 11 cases improved, and the remaining 6 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effective rate of 87.5%. (15)

References

  1. Zhou Jian Ya. One case of gastritis as a result of taking Yin Chen Hao Tang. China Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1997;22(5):314.
  2. Hong Min, et al. Yin Chen Hao Tang ethanol extract’s effect on organisms’ anti-oxidation functions. Journal of Shizhen Medicine. 1999;10(11):806-807.
  3. Hong Min, et al. Yin Chen Hao Tang’s liver-protection function and mechanism (III): Effects on mouse peritoneal macrophages’ release of NO. Journal of Pharmacology and Clinical Application of TCM. 1999;15(3):5-7.
  4. Gong Rui Sheng, et al. The pharmacology of Yin Chen Hao Tang blood lipid-lowering effect. Journal of Chinese Patent Medicine. 1992;14(7):34-35.
  5. Zhu Jiang, et al. Yin Chen Hao Tang’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 1999;30(2):120-122.
  6. Zhao Jun Hong, et al. Modified Yin Chen Hao Tang’s preventive and therapeutic effects on cholelithiasis and antral gastritis. Journal of Nanjing College of TCM. 1992;8(4):221-222.
  7. Hong Zhen Feng, et al. Yin Chen Hao’s anti-neoplastic effect. China Journal of TCM Theories. 2000;6(6):8-10.
  8. Jia Yu Jie, et al. Yin Chen Hao Tang’s effect on changes in the fluidity of pancreatic cell membrane in experimental acute pancreatitis. China Journal of Integrated External Medicine. 1997;3(3):161-163.
  9. Ren Jian Cai. Treating 50 cases of acute jaundice-type hepatitis with a modification of Yin Chen Hao Tang. Shanxi Journal of TCM. 1998;14(3):19.
  10. Ma De An, et al. Treating 122 cases of jaundice-type hepatitis with a modification of Yin Chen Hao Tang. Journal of Gansu College of TCM. 1996;13(4): 9-10.
  11. Li Zhi Qiang. Treating 180 cases of juvenile hepatitis type A with a modification of Yin Chen Hao Tang. Henan Journal of TCM. 1994;(3):46.
  12. Sun Yi Ling, et al. Treating 42 cases of hepatitis that is neither type A nor type B. Journal of Practical TCM. 1999;13(1):54-55.
  13. Zhang Yun Shan, et al. Treating 20 cases of jaundice type hepatitis infected by hepatitis virus E. Hebei Journal of TCM. 1996;18(4):11.
  14. Liu Nian Sheng, et al. Treating 38 cases of chronic cholangitis with Yin Chen Hao Tang plus Chai Hu and Chi Shao. Hunan Journal of TCM. 1999;15(3):42.
  15. Deng Wei Min, et al. Treating 48 cases of fever after embolization and chemotherapy for primary hepatoma. Jiangsu Journal of TCM. 1998;19(2):30-31.