Meta-analysis on the efficacy of liver-soothing formulas for perimenopausal anxiety and depression

Table 3 Ingredients of liver-soothing Chinese herbal medicines included in the studies

Ref.	Liver-soothing	Liver-soothing formulas	Preparation	Dose	Frequency (times/day)
Chen et al[12], 2021	Xiangshao granules	Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Chuanlianziv (Toosendan Fructus)	Granules	4 g	3
Du et al[13], 2014	Xiaoyao pill	Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), chaobaizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), fuling (Poria), zhigancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma), Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba), and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens)	Pill	3 g	2
Qian et al[14], 2010	Modified Xiaoyao Pill	Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala), fuling (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), and Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba)	Pill	6 g	2
Chen et al[15], 2003	Modified Xiaoyao Powder	Dangguigen (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), cangshu (Atractylodis Rhizoma), baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), fuling (Poria), Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma), Mudanpi (Moutan Cortex), Zhizi (Gardeniae Fructus), Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens), and Bohe (Menthae Haplocalycis Herba)	Granules	4 g	3
Xu et al[16], 2021	Chaihu Guizhi Longgu Muli decoction	Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Huangqin (Scutellariae Radix), Guizhi (Cinnamomi Ramulus), Dangshen (Codonopsis Radix), Renshen (Ginseng Radix Et Rhizoma), Yejiaoteng (Caulis Polygoni Multiflori ), Shenglonggu (raw keel), Shengmuli (raw oyster), fuling (Poria), Banxia (Pinellia), Dahuang (rhubarb), Suanzaoren (wild jujube seed), and Shengjiang (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens)	Decoction	400 mL	2
Ushiroyama et al[17], 2005	Chai hu gui zhi gan jiang tang	Bupleurum root (chai hu, Bupleurum Root, saiko), sctellaria root (Huang qin, Scutellariae Radix, Oregon), richosanthe root (gua lou gen, Trichosanthis Radix, karokon), cinnamon bark (gui pi, Cinnamomi Cortex, keishi), oyster shell (mu li, Ostreae Testa, borei), glycyrrhiza root (gan cao, Glycyrrhizae Radix, kanzo), and dried ginger rhizome (gan jian, Zingiberis Siccatum Rhizoma, kankyo)	Decoction	-	-
Cao et al[18], 2019	Bushen Tiaogan formula	Dihuang (Rehmanniae radix), Baishao (Paeoniae radix Alba), Chishao (Paeoniae radix Rubra), Yinyanghuo (Epimedium brevicornu Maxim), Duzhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver ), Yujin (Curcumae radix), Qianhu (Peucedani radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma)	Granules	20 g	2
Zhang et al[19], 2020	Improved Gengnianchun Formula (I-GNC)	Shengdihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch), Xianlingpi (Epimedium brevicornu Maxim), Baishao (Paeoniae radix Alba), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Zhimu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge), Huangbai (Phellodendron chinense Schneid), Huanglian (Coptis chinensis Franch), and Fuling (Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf)	Granules	11.6 g	1
Wang et al[20], 2023	Bushen Tiaogan Formula	Dihuang (Rehmanniae radix), Baishao (Paeoniae radix Alba), Chishao (Paeoniae radix Rubra), Yinyanghuo (Epimedium brevicornu Maxim), Duzhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver ), Yujin (Curcumae radix), Qianhu (Peucedani radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis macrocephalae Rhizoma)	Granules	20 g	2
Pei et al[21], 2023	Xiangshao granules	Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Chuanlianziv (Toosendan Fructus)	Granules	4 g	3
Zhou et al[22], 2021	Shugan Bushen Huoxue Decoction	Shengdihuang (Rehmannia Glutinosa Libosch), Shudihuang (Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata), Gouqizi (Lycii Fructus), Shanyuzhu (Cornifructus), Shashen (AdeinophorastrictaMiq), Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus (Linn.f.) Ker-Gawl.), Danggui (Angelicae Sinensis Radix), Chuanlianzi (Toosendan Fructus), Beichaihu (Bupleurum chinense DC), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma), Yujin (Curcumae Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Fuxiaomai (Fructus Tritici Levis), Gancaopian (Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma), and Dazao (Jujubae Fructus)	Decoction	One dose per day, decocting it twice with regular water	2
Xie et al[23], 2024	Xiangshao granules	Xiangfu (Cyperi Rhizoma), Baishao (Paeoniae Radix Alba), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Chuanlianziv (Toosendan Fructus)	Granules	4 g	3