sho-saiko-to - natural liver remedy
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Ordering Information

 

 
 
SST (Sho-saiko-to)

The Herbal Formula:
Minor Bupleurum Formula Extract
(Sho-saiko-to; Xiao Chai Hu Tang)
Description:
The daily dose of 7.5g (6 capsules) contains 4.20g of Minor Bupleurum Formula extract:
Bupleurum Root (Chai hu)
Pinellia Tuber (Ban xia)
Scutellaria Root (Huang qin)
Ginseng (Ren shen)
Jujube (Da zao)
Licorice (Gan cao
Ginger (Sheng jiang)		 7.0g
5.0g
3.0g
3.0g
3.0g
2.0g
1.0g

Standardization Specification:

This product is standardized to contain 24.7-46.0 mg/day of Glycyrrhizin, 110.6-205.6 mg/day of Baicalin, and 6.5-19.7 mg/day of Saikosaponin.

Duration of Use:

The Clinical Studies at Memorial Sloan-Kettering are a one year duration of constant use. Some of the studies in Japan followed patients for as long as seven years. There is apparently no problem with long term consistent usage.
A mixture of seven herbs: Bupleurum Root (Chai hu), Pinellia Tuber (Ban xia),
Scutellaria Root (Huang qin), Ginseng (Ren shen), Jujube (Da zao), Licorice (Gan cao), and Ginger (Sheng jiang).
A number of pharmacologically active components have been isolated including Baicalin, Baicalein, Glycyrrhizin, Saikosaponins, Ginsenosides, Wogonin, and Gingerols. Given the complexity of Sho-saiko-to, it is unlikely that all active components have been identified.

Dosage and Administration:
For adults: 7.5g per day orally divided into 2 doses before or between meals. This translates to 3 capsules, 2 times per day. The dosage may be adjusted based on age, body weight and symptoms.

 

Scientific Research Data (using Sho-saiko-to in granular form):
The Animal Data:
In vitro research with Sho-saiko-to and its individual components indicates that this compound may prevent hepatic fibrosis and effectively treat Hepatitis C.
 
• Glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin extract from licorice root, displays in vitro and in vivo ability to reduce serum aminotransferases and improve hepatic fibrosis.
• Baicalein, a major flavonoid in Scutellaria, has antiproliferative and anti fibrogenic effects when tested in hepatic stellate cells from rats in vitro.
• Ginseng has been shown to inhibit the development of HCC in mice induced by diethylnitrosamine, aflatoxin B1 and a N-nitroso diethylamine and phenobarbital combination.
In rats with dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver injury, Sho-saiko-to displayed inhibition of collagen formation, increased retinoid level, inhibited activation of Ito cells, and prevented liver fibrosis.
Sho-saiko-to was shown to prevent liver injury and promote liver regeneration in animal models.
 
The Human Data:
In a randomized trial conducted in Japan in the 1980s, 222 patients with chronic active Hepatitis B diagnosed by biopsy received either Sho-saiko-to or placebo for 12 weeks. There were statistically significant differences between groups in Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT). There was an increase in anti-Hbe antibody during treatment in the Sho-saiko-to but not in the placebo group.
An uncontrolled trial of Sho-saiko-to for Hepatitis B in children reported that seven of fourteen became HbeAg negative at the end of one year.
In a controlled study, 80 patients with interferon-resistant Hepatitis C were treated with Sho-saiko-to plus unspecified 'conventional medicine' or conventional medicine alone. The patients were followed for 7 years. During this time, five patients on Sho-saiko-to experienced normalization of liver enzymes in full and one seroconverted. Enzymes normalized in only one patient in controls and none seroconverted. Conversely, five controls progressed to hepatocellular carcinoma versus one on Sho-saiko-to therapy. No adverse effects were reported.
Long-term effect of Sho-saiko-to on the level of markers for hepatic fibrinogenesis in chronic Hepatitis C:
 
• 93 Chronic Hepatitis C patients were prescribed Sho-saiko-to three times daily for 36 months.
• Long-term administration of Sho-saiko-to has been shown to have an anti-hepatic fibrinogenesis effect for chronic Hepatitis C patients.
There is evidence that Sho-saiko-to might benefit hepatitis patients by preventing progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A large prospective study was conducted in Japan in the late 1980s and published in Cancer in 1995.
 
• 260 patients with cirrhosis were randomized to treatment with Sho-saiko-to or control.
• HCC was the primary endpoint and was confirmed by angiography, CT and biopsy.
• Patients were followed for five years of bimonthly a-fetoprotein measurements and quarterly ultrasonography.
Sho-saiko-to led to a one-third reduction in the incidence of HCC (23% vs. 34%) and 40% reduction in deaths (24% vs. 40%).

 

TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Formulation Strategy This Remedy is Based Upon:
Chai hu, the chief herb, combined with the deputy herb huang qin, vent the pathogenic influence and release the half exterior aspects in the lesser yang stage. The assistant herb, ban xia, warms and transforms phlegm and turbidity in the middle burner, and the other assistant herb, sheng jiang harmonize the middle burner to stop nausea and vomiting. Ren shen, zhi gan cao and da zao support middle burner qi and thereby prevent the pathogenic influence from penetrating into the interior. Zhi gan cao is also an envoy, and can harmonize whole drug actions. Based on the combination of these herbs, this formula can regulate lesser yang-stage disorders.
 
Clinical Trials:
Phase II Study of Sho-saiko-to in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Who Cannot Use Interferon
Sho-saiko-to Following Removal of Liver Cancer By Embolization in Treating Patients With Liver Cancer That Cannot Be Surgically Removed

For More Information, visit:

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
 

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