500 mg · vegan · gluten-free · 60 caps
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Bupleurum chinense is a perennial herb whose root (Radix Bupleuri) has been a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine for liver disorders for over 2,000 years. Its active saikosaponins (A, B, C, D) are triterpene saponins with demonstrated hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic activity in preclinical models.
Saikosaponins inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation, reduce collagen deposition, and suppress NF-κB and STAT3 inflammatory signalling in damaged liver tissue. They also enhance antioxidant enzyme activity and promote hepatocyte regeneration after toxic injury.
Adults with chronic hepatitis, early liver fibrosis, or those seeking adjunctive support for inflammatory liver conditions. Not for acute liver failure or severe cirrhosis.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women; people with severe liver cirrhosis or autoimmune hepatitis; those on anticoagulants or immunosuppressants. Side effects: Mild GI upset, dizziness, or dry mouth. High-dose or prolonged use may paradoxically cause hepatotoxicity in susceptible individuals.
A plain-English read of the literature behind this supplement. Not a clinical recommendation.
Key citations: PMID 16952220 (antioxidative and in vitro hepatoprotective activity of B. kaoi leaf infusion), PMID 28420359 (saikosaponin-induced hepatotoxicity in mice — dose-dependent safety warning), PMID 15744066 (hepatoprotective effect against dimethylnitrosamine-induced fibrosis in rats)
SacredBod's longer take on Bupleurum Saikosaponin — context the structured blocks above don't capture.
Bupleurum (Bupleurum chinense DC., Apiaceae) — known in Chinese as Chai Hu — is one of the most important hepatoprotective herbs in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The dried root has been used since the Han dynasty in formulas like Xiao-Chai-Hu-Tang for chronic hepatitis, liver inflammation and fever. In India, Bupleurum is not an Ayurvedic herb and is not mentioned in the Charaka Samhita or Sushruta Samhita; it is imported as a TCM raw material by herbal suppliers and appears on Amazon.in as extract tablets from Aayush Herbal.
The bioactive saikosaponins (notably saikosaponin A, B, C and D) are oleanane-type triterpene saponins that exert multi-modal hepatoprotection. In animal models, saikosaponin D protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity by inhibiting NF-κB and STAT3 inflammatory signalling. Bupleurum extracts also suppress hepatic stellate cell activation — the key driver of liver fibrosis — and reduce collagen deposition in dimethylnitrosamine-induced fibrotic rat livers. However, a critical 2017 proteomic study demonstrated that high-dose saikosaponins are themselves hepatotoxic in mice, elevating AST, ALT and LDH in a dose- and time-dependent manner via CYP2E1 induction and oxidative stress. This creates a narrow therapeutic window.
Adults with chronic viral hepatitis, early-stage liver fibrosis, or toxic liver injury seeking TCM-based adjunctive support. It is not appropriate for acute liver failure, decompensated cirrhosis, or autoimmune hepatitis. Those with a history of herb-induced liver injury should avoid Bupleurum entirely.
Paradoxically, Bupleurum is both hepatoprotective and potentially hepatotoxic. Mild GI upset and dizziness are common. Because high-dose saikosaponins can cause liver injury, strict adherence to moderate doses and cycling is essential. Use cautiously with anticoagulants, corticosteroids and all hepatotoxic medications.
Bupleurum is foreign to Indian traditional medicine and is imported as a TCM herb. On Amazon.in, only Aayush Herbal offers standalone Bupleurum extract tablets (₹400–₹700 for 60 tablets). It is not a Schedule H drug. Because it is not an Ayurvedic herb, there is no dosha classification, though its bitter, pungent and cooling nature suggests it may aggravate vata if used long-term without proper formulation. Consumers should request certificates of analysis for saikosaponin content and heavy metals, as TCM imports vary widely in quality.
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