Sichuan Lovage Rhizome Extract
Also known as: Sichuan Lovage Rhizome, Szechwan Lovage Rhizome, Chuanxiong, Ligusticum chuanxiong
Overview
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome Extract (SLR) is derived from the dried rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong, a plant belonging to the Apiaceae family. It is a prominent Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbal extract, traditionally valued for its ability to activate blood circulation and remove blood stasis. Clinically, SLR is applied for a wide range of disorders affecting the cardiocerebrovascular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems. Its use extends beyond China to regions like Singapore, Malaysia, the EU, and the USA. While research on SLR is moderately mature, with available pharmacological studies and clinical trials, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses for formulations containing SLR, a significant challenge remains in fully characterizing its chemical markers for quality control, which complicates standardization and quality assurance.
Benefits
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome Extract (SLR) offers several evidence-based benefits, particularly in cardiovascular health and migraine treatment. It significantly improves hemorheology (blood flow properties), hemodynamics, and vascular microcirculation, exhibiting anti-platelet aggregation and anticoagulation effects. For migraine, a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) demonstrated that Chuanxiong-containing formulae substantially reduced migraine frequency, duration, and pain severity compared to placebo and conventional pharmacotherapy, with a relative risk for total clinical efficacy of 3.55 versus placebo (p < 0.00001). While direct evidence for SLR alone is limited, systematic reviews suggest potential benefits in resistant hypertension when combined with conventional treatment. Other neurological and systemic effects have been observed in studies where SLR is part of multi-herbal formulations, showing improved effective rates in various conditions, though the quality of these studies can vary.
How it works
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome Extract (SLR) primarily functions by promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis, which leads to improved microcirculation and overall blood flow properties. Its key mechanism involves anti-platelet aggregation and anticoagulation activities, contributing to its observed cardiovascular benefits. While the detailed molecular pharmacology requires further elucidation, SLR is believed to interact with pathways involved in vascular endothelial function and platelet activation. The absorption and bioavailability data for SLR are currently limited but are consistent with what is typically observed for herbal rhizome extracts.
Side effects
Sichuan Lovage Rhizome Extract (SLR) is generally considered safe when used within traditional dosage ranges. Reported side effects are mild and infrequent, primarily including transient distending headache feelings and occasional gastrointestinal discomfort. While no major drug interactions or contraindications have been firmly established, caution is advised when SLR is used concurrently with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications due to the potential for additive effects, which could theoretically increase the risk of bleeding. Safety data from high-quality randomized controlled trials are limited, but existing evidence suggests a favorable safety profile. Comprehensive safety warnings regarding specific populations or conditions are not extensively documented, indicating a need for further research into long-term safety and potential interactions.
Dosage
Specific dosing guidelines for isolated Sichuan Lovage Rhizome Extract (SLR) are not well standardized due to variability in preparations and a lack of consensus in clinical practice. Most clinical trials evaluating Chuanxiong's efficacy utilize standardized herbal combinations rather than isolated SLR. Traditional usage typically involves decoctions or extracts, which are sometimes standardized to certain marker compounds, though the validation of these markers for efficacy is not yet complete. Optimal dosing for specific therapeutic purposes requires further dedicated clinical research. Currently, there are no established upper limits or safety thresholds for isolated SLR, and its absorption and bioavailability factors are not fully characterized, making precise dosage recommendations challenging.
FAQs
How soon do benefits appear?
Studies on migraine treatment with Chuanxiong-containing formulae indicate that improvements typically become noticeable over a period of weeks to several months of consistent treatment.
Is it safe for long-term use?
Limited long-term safety data exist for SLR. Short-term use appears to be generally safe with infrequent and mild side effects, but more research is needed to confirm its safety profile over extended periods.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11434844/ – This comprehensive pharmacological review evaluates the activities of Chuanxiong, highlighting its role in improving blood circulation, and its anti-platelet and anticoagulation effects. It notes the herb's use across multiple body systems but points out challenges in quality control due to a lack of standardized chemical markers.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6036270/ – This high-quality systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 RCTs demonstrates that Chuanxiong formulae significantly reduce migraine frequency, duration, and pain severity compared to placebo and conventional pharmacotherapy, showing robust statistical significance despite some heterogeneity in the herbal formulations used.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.1029949/full – This systematic review of 20 studies, though varying in quality, suggests that Chinese herbal medicines containing SLR, either as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, can improve effective rates in various conditions. It highlights the potential benefits of these combined herbal interventions.
- https://dash.harvard.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/7312037d-6450-6bd4-e053-0100007fdf3b/content – This systematic review explores the use of Chinese herbal medicine, including SLR, for resistant hypertension. It indicates that adjunctive use of these herbal combinations can lead to blood pressure reduction and reports mild side effects, though it notes the limited direct evidence for SLR alone and the need for more focused RCTs.