Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Dong Quai Glycerite Liquid Extract

Q: Is Dong Quai safe for breast cancer patients?

Evidence is mixed, but due to its estrogenic activity, caution is advised. Higher-quality studies suggest use only under strict professional supervision, as it may stimulate hormone-sensitive tumors.

Q: Can Dong Quai be used for menopausal symptoms?

Some evidence supports its efficacy for menopausal symptoms, likely due to its estrogenic effects. However, clinical trial data are limited and inconsistent, so individual responses may vary.

Q: How long before effects are seen?

Effects, particularly for chronic conditions like PMS or menopausal symptoms, likely require weeks of continuous use. Exact timelines are not well-studied and can vary by individual and condition.

Q: Does Dong Quai interact with medications?

Yes, it can interact, especially with anticoagulants (due to coumarin derivatives) and hormone therapies. Always consult a healthcare provider before use if you are on any medications.

Also known as: Dong Quai, Dang Gui, Chinese Angelica, Angelica sinensis

Overview

Dong Quai, scientifically known as Angelica sinensis, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb derived from its root. It is commonly consumed as a liquid glycerite extract or in pill form. Its primary applications are for gynecological conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea, and menopausal symptoms, where it may modulate hormonal balance due to its estrogenic activity. Additionally, it shows potential in managing osteoarthritis and promoting wound healing, attributed to its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. Research on Dong Quai is ongoing, with a combination of in vitro, animal, and some human studies. While these studies suggest various benefits, high-quality clinical trials in humans are limited. Systematic reviews highlight both its potential benefits and important safety concerns, particularly regarding its estrogenic effects, which necessitate careful consideration for certain populations.

Benefits

Dong Quai offers several potential benefits, primarily for gynecological and musculoskeletal health. It may alleviate menopausal symptoms and PMS, with some evidence suggesting estrogenic activity that could modulate hormonal balance. For osteoarthritis, ferulic acid, a key compound in Dong Quai, has shown anti-inflammatory effects by reducing inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-13), while promoting chondrocyte health via SOX9 gene expression. Beyond these, Dong Quai exhibits immunomodulatory effects, stimulating lymphocyte proliferation and increasing alloresponsiveness in vitro, which could influence immune function. It also supports wound healing and bone regeneration by promoting osteoblast proliferation and hyaluronic acid deposition. Women experiencing menopausal symptoms or osteoarthritis may find it beneficial. However, due to its estrogenic activity, caution is strongly advised for individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers, as in vitro and animal studies indicate it can stimulate estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell proliferation. While quantitative clinical data on effect sizes are limited, the observed biological effects, particularly estrogenic activity, are considered clinically relevant.

How it works

Dong Quai exerts its effects through several mechanisms, primarily involving estrogen receptor modulation, anti-inflammatory actions, and tissue regeneration. It exhibits agonist activity on estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), which contributes to its effects on hormonal balance. Its anti-inflammatory properties stem from the suppression of inflammatory cytokines like TNF-α and IL-1β, and the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). For musculoskeletal health, it stimulates growth factors such as IGF1, promoting cartilage and bone regeneration, and enhances chondrocyte and osteoblast activity. Dong Quai also interacts with the immune system by modulating lymphocyte proliferation. Key molecular targets include estrogen receptors, inflammatory cytokines, MMP enzymes, and VEGF, which is involved in angiogenesis. Bioactive compounds like Z-ligustilide and ferulic acid are thought to be responsible for these actions, though their absorption and bioavailability in humans are not fully characterized.

Side effects

While generally considered safe at moderate doses, Dong Quai carries important safety considerations. Common side effects, though not well quantified in trials, anecdotally include gastrointestinal discomfort. Less common effects (1-5%) may involve allergic reactions and photosensitivity. A rare but significant concern (<1%) is the potential for estrogenic stimulation of hormone-sensitive tumors, with in vitro and animal data suggesting a theoretical risk of promoting breast cancer growth. Dong Quai can interact with several medications: it may potentiate the effects of anticoagulants due to coumarin derivatives, interfere with hormone therapies, and affect immunosuppressants due to its immunomodulatory properties. It is contraindicated in individuals with hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g., breast, uterine), and should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Patients with breast cancer, immunocompromised individuals, or transplant recipients should exercise extreme caution and consult a healthcare professional before use, given the potential for immune system modulation and estrogenic effects.

Dosage

Optimal dosing for Dong Quai is not definitively established due to limited high-quality clinical trials. Traditional use varies widely. For glycerite liquid extracts, typical doses range from 1 to 3 mL daily. For other forms like capsules, the dosage should be equivalent and ideally standardized to key compounds such as ferulic acid to ensure consistent potency. There is no clearly defined maximum safe dose, but higher intakes may increase the risk of estrogenic side effects. Consistent daily dosing is generally recommended for managing symptoms, though specific timing relative to meals is not specified. When selecting a product, standardized extracts with quality control for bioactive compounds like Z-ligustilide and ferulic acid are preferred to ensure stability and efficacy. The stability of active compounds is a known concern, and glycerite liquid extracts may offer improved bioavailability. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for its action.

FAQs

Is Dong Quai safe for breast cancer patients?

Evidence is mixed, but due to its estrogenic activity, caution is advised. Higher-quality studies suggest use only under strict professional supervision, as it may stimulate hormone-sensitive tumors.

Can Dong Quai be used for menopausal symptoms?

Some evidence supports its efficacy for menopausal symptoms, likely due to its estrogenic effects. However, clinical trial data are limited and inconsistent, so individual responses may vary.

How long before effects are seen?

Effects, particularly for chronic conditions like PMS or menopausal symptoms, likely require weeks of continuous use. Exact timelines are not well-studied and can vary by individual and condition.

Does Dong Quai interact with medications?

Yes, it can interact, especially with anticoagulants (due to coumarin derivatives) and hormone therapies. Always consult a healthcare provider before use if you are on any medications.

Research Sources

https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2023-00002 – This systematic review and meta-analysis from Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024) examined Dong Quai's estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and regenerative properties. It found in vitro and animal evidence of estrogen receptor stimulation and cytokine modulation, suggesting benefits for menopausal symptoms and osteoarthritis. However, it cautioned about risks for hormone-sensitive cancers and highlighted the lack of large, high-quality human randomized controlled trials.
https://www.science.gov/topicpages/d/dong+quai+angelica.html – An immunology study cited on Science.gov (2018) reported that Dong Quai exhibited immunostimulatory effects in in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assays. It showed increased alloresponsiveness, indicating potential modulation of the immune system. This suggests implications for conditions involving immune function, but clinical trial data are needed to confirm these effects in humans.
https://www.xiahepublishing.com/2835-6357/FIM-2023-00002 – This systematic review from Xiahe Publishing (2023) analyzed 22 studies on Dong Quai's use in breast cancer patients. It found mixed results but generally concluded that Dong Quai might be safe when used under traditional Chinese medicine guidance. However, it strongly emphasized the need for caution due to the herb's known estrogenic effects.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5050441/ – A botanical pharmacology review from PMC (2016) discussed the significant challenges in standardizing Dong Quai extracts. It highlighted the instability of key bioactive compounds like Z-ligustilide, underscoring the critical importance of rigorous quality control in extract preparation. This standardization is essential for ensuring consistent potency and reproducible effects in clinical studies.