Anti-Ulcer Effects of Huang Lian Jiedu Tang, June 8, 1990

Anti-Ulcer Effects of Huang Lian Jiedu Tang, June 8, 1990

This formula consists of four herbs: Huang Lian, Huang Qin, Huang Bai, and Shan Zhi. Previously, there was experience using this formula to treat atrophic gastritis, with effects similar to Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang. Now, it is being used to treat ulcers, and my experience suggests that continuing to use it clinically could expand its application to ulcer treatment. Recent experimental studies have proven that this formula has a significant effect on the following aspects: 50mg of Huang Lian or Huang Bai per kilogram of body weight can inhibit ethanol-induced ulcers, whereas the same dosage of Shan Zhi and Huang Qin does not have this effect; the dosage must be increased to 250mg per kilogram to achieve protection against ethanol-induced ulcers. Huang Lian Jiedu Tang also has a clear restorative effect on potential differences caused by ethanol. Furthermore, these four herbs significantly inhibit gastric acid secretion induced by glucose. The control group using isopropyl epinephrine also showed significant inhibition of gastric acid secretion, indicating that the acid-suppressing effect of these four herbs is comparable to that of isopropyl epinephrine. According to the report, Huang Lian Jiedu Tang’s Huang Lian and Huang Bai have obvious cell-protective effects, and the protective component is not berberine. On the other hand, Huang Lian Jiedu Tang also has a certain degree of neutralization of gastric acid, an effect that is similar to the action of β-adrenergic agents, equivalent to isopropyl epinephrine. Since isopropyl epinephrine can suppress both pentapeptide gastrin-induced and glucose-induced increases in gastric acid, it indicates that the acid-suppressing effect of Huang Lian Jiedu Tang is not entirely identical to that of isopropyl epinephrine. In summary, Huang Lian Jiedu Tang has: protective effects on ulcer surfaces and acid-suppressing effects, and these two functions are independent of each other, operating in parallel.

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According to the above conclusions, Huanglian Jiedu Tang can treat both peptic ulcer disease and atrophic gastritis; therefore, it can be used clinically for treating epigastric pain with a broad therapeutic scope, ensuring accurate syndrome differentiation without major errors.

Traditional Chinese medicine holds that this formula is only suitable for cases of severe stomach heat or damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, being ineffective for cold-deficiency type epigastric pain. However, others believe that treating stomach pain should involve both warming and cooling, combining attack and tonification—attacking the mucosal layer while tonifying the whole body—with these two approaches mutually reinforcing each other to achieve synergistic effects. (Foreign Medical Dynamics, 1990.2)