Zhuang Gu Guan Jie Wan

Functions

Zhuang Gu Guan Jie Wan is capable of invigorating the liver and the kidney; nourishing and rejuvenating blood, and removing blood stasis; dispelling pathogenic wind, and removing channel obstruction. Mainly used to treat lumbar muscle strain, and hyperosteogeny in the heels, joints in the extremities, and lumbar and cervical vertebrates. The formular is also used to treat liver and kidney deficiency-related chronic backache and pain, swelling, numbness in extremities, inflexibility of the joints. (1) , (2)

Dosage Info

Internal: twice daily (once after breakfast and once after dinner), 6 grams each. Full treatment calls for 1-3 one-month treatment cycles. 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.

Ingredients

Precautions

Side Effects: Abnormal liver function and hepatitis due to bile accumulation in the liver and increased level of transaminase have been documented. (3) , (4) Hematuria has also been documented. (5)

Allergies: Hives and general itchiness have occurred. (6)

Pharmacology

Analgesic: In experiments using hot plate, chemical, and other methods, this formula is observed to have a significant analgesic effect. Compared to valium, the effect is stronger and lasts longer.

Sedative: Administered by abdominal injection to mice at the dosage of 2.5g/kg, this formula significantly decreases their spontaneous activity and prolongs their pentobarbital sodium-induced sleep time.

Anti-inflammatory: Experiments show that this formula significantly reduces dimethylbenzene-induced ear swelling and cotton granuloma swelling, indicating that the formula significantly inhibits inflammation.

Promoting RNA and DNA synthesis: This formula is observed to significantly increase the RNA and DNA levels in mice’s various tissues and organs, indicating that it can improve the body’s resistance and check the pathogenic process.

Increasing myocardial nutrient blood volume: Experiments show that this formula affects the myocardial absorption of 86Rb in mice, increasing the myocardial nutrient blood volume. (7)

Clinical Applications

Cervical spondylopathy
 Zhu used this formula plus activated calcium to treat 30 cases of cervical spondylopathy and reported that after 1 to 3 one-month treatment cycles, 20 cases showed significant progress, 10 cases showed progress, with a total effective rate of 100%. (8)

Similarly, Wang used this formula and Dan Shen Pian to treat 16 cases of cervical spondylopathy and reported that after 1 to 3 one-month treatment cycles, 8 cases showed significant progress, 6 cases showed progress, and 2 cases had no response, with a total effective rate of 87%. (9)

Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis
 Sha used a combined treatment incorporating conventional calcium therapy and sexual hormone therapy to supplement this formula in treating 299 cases of osteoarthritis, reported that 270 cases showed excellent results, and 29 cases showed good results, an overall result better than that of the control group. (10)

Zhang used this formula and Fen Bi De to treat 60 cases of retrograde osteoarthritis, reporting that after 1 to 3 one-month treatment cycles, 32 cases showed significant progress, 25 cases showed progress, and 3 cases showed no response. (11)

Patellar chondromalacia
 Su combined this formula and local block therapy to treat 32 cases of patellar chondromalacia and reported that, after 1 to 3 one-month treatment cycles, 15 cases showed excellent results, 10 cases showed good results, 4 cases showed satisfactory results, and 3 cases showed no response, with a total effectiveness rate of 90.63%. (12)

Low calcium-induced convulsion
 Dai used this formula to treat one case of this condition due to deficiency of both liver and kidney-qi, and liver and kidney-blood, reporting satisfactory results. The results were satisfactory. Another study followed 12 cases of senile cheiropodospasm treated with this formula, and reported that, after 2 treatment cycles, with each lasting a month, all clinical symptoms disappeared. (13) , (14)

Periodontitis
 Yu used this formula to treat 26 cases of periodontitis and reported improvement in odontoseisis and a significant growth in the alveolar bone. Overall, the treatment group had better results than the control group. (15)

References

  1. Chen Qi (ed). Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Famous Chinese Patent Formulas. Beijing: People’s Medical Press; 1998.
  2. Modern Chinese Patent Medicine. Jiangxi: Science & Technology Press; 1997.
  3. Xu Shao Ben. Intermediate Journal of Medicine. 1996;31(11):46.
  4. Chen Xiao Zhen. Fujian Journal of Medicine. 1997;19(1):77-78.
  5. Chen Ru Gui, et al. Shanghai Journal of TCM. 1995;(2):26-27.
  6. Chen Ru Gui, et al. Shanghai Journal of TCM. 1995;(2):26-27.
  7. Chen Qi (ed). Pharmacology and Clinical Application of Famous Chinese Patent Formulas. Beijing: People’s Medical Press; 1998.
  8. Zhu Liu Jin, et al. Journal of Practical Integrated Medicine. 1994;7(8):491-492.
  9. Wang He Nian. Jiangxi Journal of Chinese Medicine. 1996;27(5):61.
  10. Sha Chun Xin, et al. Journal of Changchun College of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1998;14(9):23.
  11. Zhang Xue Li, et al. Hebei Journal of Integrated Medicine. 1997;6(2):192.
  12. Su Zai Fa. China Journal of Orthopedic Traumatology. 1998;11(6):80.
  13. Zou Bao Feng. Journal of Chinese Patent Medicine. 1993;15(1):48.
  14. Dai Shang. Hubei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1993;15(2):48.
  15. Yu Hong Wei, et al. Intermediate Journal of Medicine. 1998;33(2):55-56.