Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan

Functions

The main functions of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan are to nourish yin, which enriches the blood, and to invigorate the heart to help calm the mind.

Dosage Info

Internal administration: Honeyed pills: 10g twice a day Paste: 15ml each time Tablets: 4 tablets 2 times a day. 5:1 concentrated extract: 9 grams/day.

Ingredients

Precautions

The formula is not suitable for patients suffering from insufficiency of spleen-yang, anorexia, and stagnation of phlegm-dampness.

It has been reported that Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan caused one case of hives and 2 cases of angioedema. (1) , (2)

Pharmacology

Protective effect in myocardial and cerebral Ischemia/reperfusion: Modified Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan was administered to rabbits by an intraperitoneal injection. These modifications included removing Zhu Sha (Cinnabar) and adding Ge Gen (Pueraria Root). This was shown to have the following effects: 1) increase the blood flow in the subjects’ cardiac muscles; 2) effectively counteract acute myocardial ischemia caused by posterior pituitary hormone; 3) increase local blood flow in the cerebral tissue during a low perfusion stage in models of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion; 4) alleviate delayed low perfusion; 5) effectively block the release of excitatory amino acid (EAA) in cerebral tissues; 6) dampen the excitability of EAA; and 7) increase the activity of nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) in cerebral tissues, raising serum nitric oxide (NO) levels, and promoting the generation of endogenous NO. (3)

Protective effect in acute ischemic kidney failure: Experiments show that Xin Tian Ye (a modification of Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan) can reduce tumor necrosis factors and thromboxane A2, and increase prostacyclin in rats’ circulated blood, indicating that it has a protective effect in acute ischemic kidney failure. (4)

Clinical Applications

Stress: Wang et al. treated 36 cases of stress with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. The patients took one pill before a meal, three times a day, and one pill before going to sleep. One course of treatment consisted of 30 consecutive days. The results showed that 16 cases were clinically resolved, 18 cases greatly improved, and the remaining 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effectiveness rate of 94.2%. (5)

Angina pectoris: Wang treated 35 cases of angina pectoris with modified Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. The modified formula consisted of Tai Zi Shen (Pseudostellaria Root), Dan Shen (Red Sage Root), Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus Seed), Tian Dong (Asparagus Root), Mai Dong (Ophiopogon Root), Tao Ren (Peach Seed), Yu Jin (Curcuma Root), Gou Qi Zi (Wolfberry Fruit), Di Huang (Rehmannia), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Fu Ling (Poria), Jiang Xiang (Dalbergia Wood), Jie Geng (Platucodon Root), and Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root). One dose of the formula in a decoction was administered daily (divided into two portions for morning and evening administrations). The results illustrated that after 15 to 30 doses, 10 cases were resolved, 20 cases had improved, and the remaining 5 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effectiveness rate of 85.7%. (6)

Effect on shortened P-R Interval of electrocardiogram: Using Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan as the base formula, Zhang treated 23 patients that experienced shortened P-R interval of electrocardiogram. For anorexia and abdominal distention, the following herbs were added: Shan Zha (Hawthorn Fruit), Shen Qu (Medicated Leaven), Mai Ya (Germinated Barley), and Hou Bo (Magnolia Bark). For atrial or ventricular escape, Yu Jin (Curcuma Root), Huang Lian (Coptis Root), and Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) were added. For mental confusion due to phlegm, Shi Chang Pu (Grassleaved Sweetflag Rhizome) and Hu Zhang (Giant Knotweed Rhizome) were added. For exuberant fire due to hyperactivity of the heart, Ban Lan Gen (Isatis Root), Da Qing Ye (Isatis Leaf), Lian Qiao (Forsythia Fruit), and Hu Zhang (Giant Knotweed Rhizome) were added. For spontaneous perspiration, Huang Qi (Astragalus Root) and Sheng Mu Li (Oyster Shell) were added. For chest distention, Quan Gua Lou (Trichosanthes Fruit) was added. One dose of the formula in a decoction was administered daily. The results verified that after 7 to 30 doses of the treatment, all patients had normal P-R intervals of electrocardiogram. (7)

Cardiovascular psychoneurosis: Yang et al. treated 218 cases of cardiovascular psychoneurosis with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. The patients took 10 to 15 grams of the formula daily for 15 days to 2 months. A comparison group of 30 cases was treated with Western medicine for 1 to 2 months. Of the treatment group, the results showed that 145 cases (66.5%) had the condition under control (symptoms disappeared, normal electrocardiogram readings, and no relapse within 3 months of discontinuation of treatment), 70 cases had improved, and the remaining 3 cases did not respond to the treatment. Of the comparison group, 12 cases (40%) had the condition under control, and the remaining 18 cases were improved. (8)

Recurrent canker sores: Xing treated 80 cases of recurrent canker sores with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. Modifications were made to suit each individual’s symptoms. The patients took this formula in a decoction for the first for 3 to 6 doses (once a day), and then switched to a pill form for the rest of treatment, which lasted 1 month. The results showed that 58 cases recovered, 12 cases greatly improved, 8 cases improved slightly, and the remaining 2 cases did not respond to the treatment, with a total effectiveness rate of 97.5%. (9)

References

Shen Hai Ming, et al. One case of urticaria caused Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research. 1985;(4):28.
Liu Zhi, et al. Two cases of angioedema caused by Tian Wang Bu Xi Dan. Shanxi Journal of Medicine. 1993;22(5):361.
Zhang Jing Hu, et al. The anti-ischemic effect of modified Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. China Journal of TCM Science and Technology. 1998;5(2):78-80.
Zhang Jun, et al. Xin Tian Yeâ€™s effect on TNF and thromboxane A2 levels in circulated blood of rats with acute ischemic kidney failure. Anhui Journal of Medicine. 1999;20(1):3-4.
Wang Xiu Hua, et al. 36 cases of neurasthenia treated with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. Journal of Applied Integrated Medicine. 1998;11(4):374.
Wang Shao Cun. Treating 35 cases of angina pectoris with modified Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1998;33(11):513.
Zhang Ji Xu. Tian Wang Bu Xin Danâ€™s effect on P-R interval electrocardiogram. National Journal of Medicine Forum. 1990;5(3):26.
Yang Zhen Ping, et al. 218 cases of cardiovascular psychoneurosis treated with Bu Xin Dan. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 1990;31(8):30-36.
Xing Cheng Fang. Treating 80 cases of recurrent stomatocace with Tian Wang Bu Xin Dan. Journal of Folk Chinese Medical Treatment. 1999;7(7):34.