According to NIH website, Dong quai (Angelica sinensis) is a plant that has been used for a variety of conditions, with little evidence. It may be unsafe when too much is consumed. Dong quai is a member of the same plant family as parsley, celery, and carrots. It's popular in Chinese medicine for female health concerns. The root might affect estrogen and other hormones. People commonly use dong quai for menopausal symptoms, menstrual cramps, migraine, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Common side effects include burping, gas, and high blood pressure. (1)
RECENT RESEARCH
Xiaodong Zhi and colleagues consider that fibrosis-related diseases (FRD) include conditions like myocardial fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis, and others. While, Angelica sinensis may have anti-fibrosis properties in recent investigations. They conducted a thorough literature review, and they concluded that Dong Quai's constituents demonstrated significant anti-fibrosis activity. (2)
Astragalus and Dong Quai have been known to help with heart scarring (myocardial fibrosis). A study discovered a new way these herbs might be working together. When these herbs are boiled together (decoction), tiny clusters of molecules (called supramolecules) form. Pan Liang and collleagues believe that the way these molecules interact (like a puzzle) is important for their effectiveness. Tests showed that these supramolecules were successful in improving heart function and reducing scarring in lab studies and animals.This suggests that these supramolecules might be the key to how the traditional Astragalus-Angelica decoction works. (3) In a seperate study, Xiaolong Song and colleagues conducted a study aimed at the effect of Dong Quai polysaccharide (ASP) extracted from the Lixinshui prescription on cardiac disease induced by hypertension in rats. They concluded that ASP could prevent hypertensive heart disease by inhibiting myocardial fibrosis, suppressing the myocardial apoptosis, and alleviating oxidative stress. (4)
Valentina Trimarco and colleagues designed a study to measure the beneficial effects of a combination of nutraceutics (NUT) containing soy isoflavones (80 mg), dry extract of Angelica sinensis (50 mg), dry extract of Morus alba leaf (200 mg) and magnesium (56.25 mg) in the relief of somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms in postmenopausal patients, The study involved a total of 43 symptomatic postmenopausal women. After a 2-week run-in period, patients were randomized into two arms. One arm received probiotics plus placebo over 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week treatment with probiotics plus NUT. The second arm received probiotics plus NUT for 4 weeks, followed by a 4-week treatment with probiotics plus placebo. After the NUT period, participants showed a significant reduction in MRS score in comparison to baseline and the placebo period. They concluded that the NUT combination was good for menopause symptoms in postmenopausal patients. (5)
REFERENCE
1. NIH website, May 04, 2024
2. Xiaodong Zhi et al, Therapeutic potential of Angelica sinensis in addressing organ fibrosis: A comprehensive review , Biomed Pharmacother . 2024 Apr:173:116429.
3. Pan Liang et al, Insights into the Mechanism of Supramolecular Self-Assembly in the Astragalus membranaceus- Angelica sinensis Codecoction ACS Appl Mater Interfaces . 2023 Oct 18;15(41):47939-47954
4. Xiaolong Song et al, Angelica sinensis Polysaccharide Alleviates Myocardial Fibrosis and Oxidative Stress in the Heart of Hypertensive Rats, Comput Math Methods Med . 2021 Sep 3:2021:6710006.
5. Valentina Trimarco et al, Effects of a new combination of nutraceuticals on postmenopausal symptoms and metabolic profile: a crossover, randomized, double-blind trial, Int J Womens Health . 2016 Oct 11:8:581-587.