Review Article

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Refractory Nephrotic Syndrome: Strategies and Promising Treatments

Table 2

Herb formulas and ingredients commonly used for reducing side effects of immunosuppressive agents.

IndicationsFormulasHerbs

Side effects of steroidsSix-Ingredient Rehmannia Decoction (Liu Wei Di Huang Tang) & derivativesRehmannia glutinosa (Sheng Di Huang), Dioscorea opposita (Shan Yao), Cornus officinalis (Shan Zhu Yu), Poria cocos (Fu Ling), Alisma orientale (Ze Xie), Paeonia suffruticosa (Mu Dan Pi), Glehnia littoralis (Bei Sha Shen), Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai Men Dong), Paeonia lactiflora (Bai Shao), Lycium barbarum (Gou Qi Zi), Anemarrhena asphodeloides (Zhi Mu)

Side effects of other immunosuppressantsBolster the Spleen Decoction (Shi Pi Yin) Kidney Qi Pill (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan) & derivativesAconitum carmichaelii (Fu Zi), Epimedium (Yin Yang Huo), Morinda officinalis (Ba Ji Tian), Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Di Huang), Atractylodes Macrocephala (Bai Zhu), Codonopsis pilosula (Dang Shen), Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi), Zingiber officinale (Gan Jiang), Cinnamomum cassia (Gui Zhi), Alpinia Katsumadai (Cao Dou Kou), Amomum tsao-ko (Cao Guo), Cuscuta australis (Tu Si Zi), Cistanche deserticola (Rou Cong Rong)

Hypoimmunity and frequent infectionsEight-Treasure Decoction (Ba Zhen Tang) Jade Windscreen Powder (Yu Ping Feng San)Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi), Panax ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes Macrocephala (Bai Zhu), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gan Cao), Angelica sinensis (Dang Gui), Cordycepssinensis (Dong Chong Xia Cao), Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Zhi)