Herbs & Botanicals · Chinese root for joint pain
Du Huo
Angelica pubescens · also called Duhuo, pubescent angelica root, Angelica biserrata
Du huo is the dried root of an Asian angelica plant, used in Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years for aching joints, low back and knee pain. Human research is mostly on a many-herb formula that contains it, so the root alone is not proven. It holds sun-sensitizing compounds and may affect how the liver clears some medicines. Ask a pharmacist before using it with prescription drugs.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Du Huo
Du huo is a Chinese joint-pain root with thin human proof for the root alone. Trials test a many-herb formula, usually as an add-on. It contains sun-sensitizing furanocoumarins and may slow a liver enzyme that clears many medicines, so check with a pharmacist.
What it is
Du huo is the dried root of Angelica pubescens, in Chinese pharmacopoeia terms A. pubescens f. biserrata. GBIF lists Angelica pubescens and Angelica biserrata as two accepted species, so labels can differ.
It has been used for about 2,000 years for rheumatic pain in the low back and knees and for headache. It is a main herb in the classic formula Duhuo Jisheng.
Du huo, qiang huo, bai zhi and dang gui
These are four different roots, though names and pinyin sound alike. Du huo is Angelica pubescens f. biserrata. Qiang huo is Notopterygium. Bai zhi is Angelica dahurica. Dang gui, or dong quai, is Angelica sinensis. In Chinese practice du huo and qiang huo are often paired, but they are not the same herb.
A 2001 test-tube study tested all four side by side and found each slowed a liver enzyme (CYP3A). The label should name the exact Latin species and the root.
How it may work
The root has coumarins such as osthole and columbianadin and a volatile oil. In animals and cells these calm pain and inflammation signals.
None of this has been shown to work in people with joint pain.
What the research shows
A 2023 meta-analysis found that adding Duhuo Jisheng to standard medicine improved ankylosing spondylitis scores. The authors call the effect controversial, and the formula has many herbs.
Two trials in knee osteoarthritis (70 people) and lumbar disc herniation (104 people) tested the formula as an add-on to massage or acupuncture. The knee trial's main result was null. We found no placebo-controlled trial of the root alone.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Rheumatic joint pain, low back and knee pain (wind-damp)
- Headache
- Main herb in the formula Duhuo Jisheng
Studied for research
- Ankylosing spondylitis (formula added to standard medicine), low
- Knee osteoarthritis (formula plus massage; main result null), very low
- Lumbar disc herniation (formula plus acupuncture), very low
- Pain, inflammation, nerve, heart and platelet effects (animals and cells), insufficient
Main compounds
- Osthole (PubChem CID 10228), a coumarin
- Columbianadin (PubChem CID 6436246), a furanocoumarin
- Bergapten and xanthotoxin, photosensitizing furanocoumarins
- Volatile oil
Common forms
- Dried sliced root
- Decoction
- Ingredient in the formula Duhuo Jisheng (decoction or pills)
- Ethanol and water extracts (research)
Research links: Yang 2020: review of du huo botany, use and toxicity (PubMed) · Lu 2020: review of chemistry, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics (PubMed) · Wan 2023: Duhuo Jisheng in ankylosing spondylitis (PubMed) · Ai 2023: CYP3A4 inhibition by four herbal extracts (PubMed) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
The plant and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Angelica pubescens Maxim. (GBIF accepted); Angelica biserrata (R.H.Shan & C.Q.Yuan) C.Q.Yuan & R.H.Shan is also accepted separately in GBIF
- Naming authority
- Maxim.
- Synonyms
- Angelica pubescens f. biserrata Shan & Yuan; Angelica biserrata
- Common names
- Du huo (Chinese (pinyin)); Duhuo (Chinese (pinyin)); Dokwhal (Korean); Dokkatsu (Japanese); Pubescent angelica root (English)
- Botanical family
- Apiaceae (carrot or parsley family)
- Classification
- Plantae > Tracheophyta > Magnoliopsida > Apiales > Apiaceae > Angelica > Angelica pubescens
- Native range
- China (Pharmacopoeia source), with use in Korea and Japan.
- Habitat
- Not covered in the sources read.
- What the plant looks like
- Roots: The dried root is the medicine.; Stems: Not covered.; Leaves: Not covered.; Flowers: Not covered.; Fruit: Not covered.; Seeds: Not covered.; Cultivation: Not covered.
- Harvest and processing
- Not covered in the sources read.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Notopterygium incisum / forbesii (qiang huo); Note: A different root. Often paired with du huo in formulas for wind-damp pain; du huo is traditionally used for the lower body, qiang huo for the upper body (traditional teaching, not checked in a source here).; Name: Angelica dahurica (bai zhi); Note: A different Angelica root. Used for headache and skin; Guo 2001 found it rich in furanocoumarins that block CYP3A.; Name: Angelica sinensis (dang gui, dong quai); Note: A different Angelica root, used as a blood tonic, especially in women's health. Not interchangeable with du huo.; Name: Angelica archangelica (European angelica); Note: A European species with furanocoumarins; different herb.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not covered in the sources read.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese medicine | Used for more than 2,000 years for rheumatic joint pain, low back and knee pain and headache; expels wind-damp. | p32256373 |
| Pharmacopoeias | Listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia; Lu 2020 says also British and European pharmacopoeias. Not opened directly. | p32256373 |
| Korea and Japan | Called Dokwhal in Korea and Dokkatsu in Japan. | p32256373 |
Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osthole (osthol) PubChem 10228 | Coumarin | Root Pharmacopoeia quality marker (with columbianadin) | Pain and inflammation effects in animals; listed as photosensitizing in Yang 2020. 8 12 | Lab |
| Columbianadin PubChem 6436246 | Angular furanocoumarin | Root Pharmacopoeia quality marker | Anti-inflammatory and pain effects in animals; absorbed poorly as pure compound in rat (low blood level). 8 7 | Lab |
| Bergapten PubChem 2355 | Linear furanocoumarin (psoralen type) | Root | Photosensitizing furanocoumarin. 8 12 | Lab |
| Xanthotoxin (methoxsalen) | Linear furanocoumarin | Root | Photosensitizing; liver and organ toxicity in animals at high amounts. PubChem CID not pulled. 12 | Lab |
| Volatile oil | Essential oil | Root | Pain and inflammation effects in animals (Lu 2020). 7 | Lab |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liver enzyme CYP3A4 | CYP3A4 | Du huo extract blocked CYP3A4 in a test-tube assay; duhuo decoction and infusion blocked human CYP3A, with signs of lasting inhibition. 1 5 | Lab |
| Platelet aggregation | ADP-induced platelet clumping | Root coumarins reduced clumping in rat platelets in a dish. 7 | Lab |
| P-gp drug pump | ABCB1 (P-gp) | In a cell model, only one of twelve root coumarins had its transport changed by a P-gp blocker. 11 | Lab |
| Kidney organic anion transporters | Oat1, Oat2, Oat3 | A water extract may have injured the kidney in mice by blocking these transporters. 7 | Animal research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Rat studies only: columbianetin is absorbed quickly with good bioavailability; most root coumarins crossed a cell model well.
- Distribution
- After an oral extract in rats, four coumarins were found in liver, then ovary, uterus, kidney, lung, heart, spleen and muscle.
- Metabolism
- Columbianadin is partly converted to columbianetin (about 0.12% in rats). Liver enzyme inhibition by extracts is reported in test tubes.
- Elimination
- Columbianetin glucoside and columbianetin were mainly excreted in faeces in rats.
- Bioavailability
- Pure columbianadin by mouth gave low blood levels in rats; no human data.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Much lab work uses isolated compounds such as osthole or columbianadin, which are not the same as the whole root, and clinical trials use the multi-herb formula Duhuo Jisheng. Neither can be applied directly to du huo root.
Nutritional composition
Du huo is not a food nutrient, and no vitamin or mineral role is established. The Pharmacopoeia formula treats it as a medicinal root.
1 low certainty2 very low certainty4 not enough evidence
What is Du Huo good for?
The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is. Most human research is on a multi-herb formula, not the root alone.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Joint, low back and knee pain (traditional use of the root)
Not enough evidenceDu huo root has been used in Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years for aching joints, low back and knee pain and headache. We found no controlled human trial of the root on its own.
2 studiesAsk a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Two 2020 reviews describe the tradition and lab work; neither presents a placebo-controlled trial of the root alone.
Results
No trial result to report for the root alone.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Long tradition, but no controlled human trial of the single herb.
Form and dose studied
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Not tested as a single herb.
Limits
Tradition is not proof. Reviews say the chemistry and action are complex and quality standards differ.
Why researchers looked
Chinese medicine describes it as a herb that dispels wind and dampness and relieves pain.
Traditional use
Listed in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and used mainly inside multi-herb formulas such as Duhuo Jisheng. Lu 2020 says it is also in the British and European pharmacopoeias.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Coumarins (osthole, columbianadin and others) and volatile oil have pain and inflammation effects in animals. How this would work in a person with joint pain has not been shown.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Photosensitivity and drug-interaction cautions apply; see the safety tab.
Ankylosing spondylitis (formula added to standard medicine)
Low certaintyA 2023 meta-analysis found that adding the many-herb formula Duhuo Jisheng to standard medicine gave better symptom scores than standard medicine alone. The formula contains du huo, but the result cannot be credited to du huo alone.
1 studiesAsk a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials (trial count not in the abstract).
Results
Compared with standard medicine alone, adding the formula raised the effective rate and reduced pain, morning stiffness, BASDAI, CRP and ESR, and fewer adverse reactions were reported.
Effect sizes as reported
Effective rate RR 1.40 (95% CI 1.30 to 1.51); spinal pain VAS mean difference -2.76 (-3.10 to -2.42); BASDAI -0.84 (-1.57 to -0.10); adverse reactions RR 0.50 (0.38 to 0.66).
Why this rating
Many-herb formula, authors themselves call the effect controversial; the abstract does not give trial numbers or bias ratings.
Form and dose studied
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Adults with ankylosing spondylitis taking Western medicine.
Limits
Not du huo alone. Trials were add-on designs against standard medicine alone. Abstract only.
Why researchers looked
Duhuo Jisheng is a classic formula for back and joint pain and is widely used in China.
Traditional use
Du huo is one of many herbs in the formula (the Pharmacopoeia formula also contains herbs such as Taxilli Herba, Rehmannia and Achyranthes according to Yang 2020).
Proposed mechanism Traditional use
The formula's individual herbs may act together; this was not tested.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No safety signal in the abstract, but the formula was combined with other drugs.
Knee osteoarthritis (formula added to massage)
Very low certaintyIn one 70-person trial the formula Duhuo Jisheng added to Tui-na massage did not beat massage alone on the main score at 4 weeks. Some pain and stiffness scores were lower later, but the findings were borderline.
1 studiesAsk a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Randomized controlled trial, n=70, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04492670).
Results
No significant difference in the main outcome (WOMAC at 4 weeks). WOMAC pain was lower at week 8 and stiffness lower at weeks 2 and 8; the quality-of-life index was better at week 2. No significant adverse effect was found.
Effect sizes as reported
Pain at week 8: mean difference -1.8 (95% CI -3.5 to -0.02, P=0.048). Stiffness at week 8: 0.95 (0.26 to 1.65).
Why this rating
Small trial, main result null, secondary results borderline and many outcomes tested.
Form and dose studied
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
70 adults with knee osteoarthritis in Hong Kong.
Limits
Formula plus massage versus massage alone; not du huo, not placebo.
Why researchers looked
Knee osteoarthritis is a common reason people try Duhuo Jisheng in China.
Traditional use
Formula of many herbs.
Proposed mechanism Traditional use
Not tested.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No significant adverse effect in this small trial.
Lumbar disc herniation (formula with warming acupuncture)
Very low certaintyA 2026 trial of 104 people compared warming acupuncture plus Duhuo Jisheng with the formula alone. Both groups improved and the acupuncture group improved more. It tests acupuncture, not the herb.
1 studiesAsk a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Randomized controlled trial, n=104 (4 dropped out), Chinese-language paper.
Results
Pain (VAS) and disability (ODI) fell in both groups; the acupuncture-plus-formula group did better on VAS, ODI and JOA scores (P<0.001). Results on inflammation markers were beyond the part of the abstract read.
Effect sizes as reported
Effect sizes not stated in the part of the abstract read.
Why this rating
Cannot show the herb or formula works; the study design isolates acupuncture.
Form and dose studied
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
104 adults with lumbar disc herniation.
Limits
Both groups got the formula; no placebo group.
Why researchers looked
The formula is a standard choice for a TCM pattern of low back pain with liver-kidney deficiency.
Traditional use
Formula of many herbs; the difference between groups was acupuncture.
Proposed mechanism Traditional use
Not tested.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not reported in the part read.
Pain and inflammation effects of the root (animals and cells)
Not enough evidenceExtracts and coumarins from the root, such as osthole and columbianadin, calmed pain and inflammation in rodents and cells. No human proof.
2 studiesAsk a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
None for the single herb.
Results
Animal and cell findings only.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
Lab and animal work only; the reviews call for human studies.
Form and dose studied
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Rodents, cells, test tubes.
Limits
Isolated compounds are not the same as the root.
Why researchers looked
This is the likely reason for the traditional pain use.
Traditional use
Used for joint pain and headache.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Coumarins and volatile oil act on inflammation signals in cells and animals (Lu 2020).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not self-treat persistent pain; see a doctor.
Nerve and heart effects (animals and cells)
Not enough evidenceThe reviews list nerve-protective, sedative, blood-vessel-relaxing and heart-rhythm effects in animals and cells, and clinical uses such as headache and stroke recovery in Chinese practice. We found no trial of the root for these.
2 studiesAsk a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
Reports of Chinese clinical use are listed in the review table but not trial-checked here.
Results
Lab and animal results only.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
No human trial read.
Form and dose studied
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Rodents, rat vessel rings, cells.
Limits
Review table entries were not re-checked in the source papers.
Why researchers looked
Used traditionally for headache and as a calming herb.
Traditional use
Headache; stroke hemiplegia and arrhythmia are listed as uses by Yang 2020.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Not established in people.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Heart-rhythm effects in animals are not a reason to use the root for the heart.
Reduced platelet clumping (lab and mouse)
Not enough evidenceIn test tubes and mice, root coumarins reduced platelet clumping. Whether this matters in people, or with blood thinners, is unknown.
2 studiesAsk a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study.
Results
Lab and mouse findings only.
Effect sizes as reported
Not applicable.
Why this rating
No human data; also a safety flag.
Form and dose studied
Ask a doctor or pharmacist about amounts.
Who was studied
Rat platelets in vitro; mice.
Limits
Mouse bleeding-time result is also a reason for caution with blood thinners.
Why researchers looked
Explains the traditional use for blood stasis in some formulas.
Traditional use
Used in formulas for blood stasis.
Proposed mechanism Animal research
Columbianetin, columbianadin, osthole and related compounds blocked ADP-induced platelet clumping in rat samples (Lu 2020); an ethanol extract prolonged mouse tail bleeding time (Yang 2020).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
See the safety tab.
Connections to the rest of health
How Du Huo connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joint Support | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Joint, low back and knee pain (traditional use of the root): Du huo root has been used in Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years for aching joints, low back and knee pain and headache. We found no controlled human trial of the root on its own. | 12 7 |
| Joint Support | Low certainty | Ankylosing spondylitis (formula added to standard medicine): A 2023 meta-analysis found that adding the many-herb formula Duhuo Jisheng to standard medicine gave better symptom scores than standard medicine alone. The formula contains du huo, but the result cannot be credited to du huo alone. Knee osteoarthritis (formula added to massage): In one 70-person trial the formula Duhuo Jisheng added to Tui-na massage did not beat massage alone on the main score at 4 weeks. Some pain and stiffness scores were lower later, but the findings were borderline. | 10 2 13 | |
| Pain Relief | Low certainty | Ankylosing spondylitis (formula added to standard medicine): A 2023 meta-analysis found that adding the many-herb formula Duhuo Jisheng to standard medicine gave better symptom scores than standard medicine alone. The formula contains du huo, but the result cannot be credited to du huo alone. Lumbar disc herniation (formula with warming acupuncture): A 2026 trial of 104 people compared warming acupuncture plus Duhuo Jisheng with the formula alone. Both groups improved and the acupuncture group improved more. It tests acupuncture, not the herb. | 10 13 | |
| Mobility Support | Very low certainty | Knee osteoarthritis (formula added to massage): In one 70-person trial the formula Duhuo Jisheng added to Tui-na massage did not beat massage alone on the main score at 4 weeks. Some pain and stiffness scores were lower later, but the findings were borderline. | 2 | |
| Pain Relief | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Pain and inflammation effects of the root (animals and cells): Extracts and coumarins from the root, such as osthole and columbianadin, calmed pain and inflammation in rodents and cells. No human proof. | 7 12 |
| Inflammation Balance | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Pain and inflammation effects of the root (animals and cells): Extracts and coumarins from the root, such as osthole and columbianadin, calmed pain and inflammation in rodents and cells. No human proof. | 7 12 |
| Neuroprotective | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Nerve and heart effects (animals and cells): The reviews list nerve-protective, sedative, blood-vessel-relaxing and heart-rhythm effects in animals and cells, and clinical uses such as headache and stroke recovery in Chinese practice. We found no trial of the root for these. | 12 7 |
| Heart Health | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Nerve and heart effects (animals and cells): The reviews list nerve-protective, sedative, blood-vessel-relaxing and heart-rhythm effects in animals and cells, and clinical uses such as headache and stroke recovery in Chinese practice. We found no trial of the root for these. | 12 7 |
| Circulation Support | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Reduced platelet clumping (lab and mouse): In test tubes and mice, root coumarins reduced platelet clumping. Whether this matters in people, or with blood thinners, is unknown. | 7 12 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bones Joints Muscles | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Joint, low back and knee pain (traditional use of the root) Studied for: Ankylosing spondylitis (formula added to standard medicine) | 12 7 10 2 13 |
| Pain Inflammation | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Ankylosing spondylitis (formula added to standard medicine) Studied for: Lumbar disc herniation (formula with warming acupuncture) | 10 13 7 12 |
| Nervous System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Nerve and heart effects (animals and cells) | 12 7 |
| Heart Circulation | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Nerve and heart effects (animals and cells) Studied for: Reduced platelet clumping (lab and mouse) | 12 7 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photosensitivity | Adverse effect or risk | Authoritative guidance | Described as photosensitizing; no human du huo case read. Preparation or compound: Root furanocoumarins |
12 6 |
| Ankylosing spondylitis | Low certainty | Meta-analysis of add-on use; not du huo alone. Preparation or compound: Duhuo Jisheng decoction (multi-herb) |
10 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 10 |
| C-reactive protein and ESR | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 10 |
| WOMAC score (knee osteoarthritis) | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 2 |
| Pain (VAS), disability (ODI) and function (JOA) scores | Biological association | Very low certainty | Measured in trials: mixed. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 13 |
| ADP-induced platelet aggregation (lab) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 7 |
J. Genes, receptors and enzymes
K. Biological pathways
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platelet aggregation (ADP) | Preliminary mechanism | Lab | Reduced in rat platelets in vitro. | 7 |
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osthole (osthol) | Biological association | Lab | Pain and inflammation effects in animals; listed as photosensitizing in Yang 2020. Preparation or compound: Root |
8 12 |
| Columbianadin | Biological association | Lab | Anti-inflammatory and pain effects in animals; absorbed poorly as pure compound in rat (low blood level). Preparation or compound: Root |
8 7 |
| Bergapten | Biological association | Lab | Photosensitizing furanocoumarin. Preparation or compound: Root |
8 12 |
| Xanthotoxin (methoxsalen) | Biological association | Lab | Photosensitizing; liver and organ toxicity in animals at high amounts. PubChem CID not pulled. Preparation or compound: Root |
12 |
| Volatile oil | Biological association | Lab | Pain and inflammation effects in animals (Lu 2020). Preparation or compound: Root |
7 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 5 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Du Huo. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing du huo summary, read both 2020 reviews in full, re-checked the PubMed abstracts and added a few targeted searches. Plant names were checked in GBIF and compound IDs in PubChem. No regulator record was found.
Study library: every study we checked 13
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ai 2023 Discovery and Activity Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effect of Four Kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine Extracts on the CYP3A4 Enzyme Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput Screening · PMID 36093820 · DOI |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Enzyme assay | Extract of Angelica pubescens f. biserrata root n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Of four extracts, Angelica pubescens f. biserrata extract inhibited CYP3A4 in the test tube; the four IC50 values were 5.15, 14.97, 15.2 and 24.21 ug/ml (the abstract does not say which belongs to which herb). IC50 not attributable to du huo from the abstract (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: CYP3A4 inhibition (IC50) Limitations: Test-tube enzyme work with a computer pre-screen. No people. Which IC50 belongs to du huo is not stated in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared Read: abstract |
| Chan 2023 Therapeutic effect of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction add-on Tui-na manipulation on osteoarthritis of knee: a randomized controlled trial Chinese Medicine · PMID 37424023 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
70 Adults with knee osteoarthritis, Hong Kong |
Duhuo Jisheng decoction (multi-herb formula) plus Tui-na massage mixed (formula) n/a 4 weeks treatment, follow-up to week 8 · vs Tui-na alone |
No difference in the primary outcome (WOMAC at 4 weeks). Pain subscale lower at week 8; stiffness lower at weeks 2 and 8; quality-of-life index better at week 2. No significant adverse effect. Pain at week 8 MD -1.8; stiffness at week 8 MD 0.95 (Pain -3.5 to -0.02 (P=0.048); stiffness week 8 0.26 to 1.65) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: WOMAC total (primary), WOMAC pain and stiffness, EQ-5D-5L Limitations: Small trial; primary outcome null; several secondary results borderline; not blinded to herbs in the abstract; many outcomes tested without correction. Tests the formula added to massage, not du huo. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared Registration: NCT04492670 Read: abstract |
| GBIF 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Angelica pubescens GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Angelica pubescens Maxim. matched EXACT, status ACCEPTED, family Apiaceae (usageKey 5537546). Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity Limitations: Taxonomy only. Read: full-text |
| GBIF 2026 GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Angelica biserrata GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Angelica biserrata (R.H.Shan & C.Q.Yuan) C.Q.Yuan & R.H.Shan matched EXACT, status ACCEPTED, family Apiaceae (usageKey 5537846). GBIF lists it as its own accepted species, separate from A. pubescens. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity Limitations: Taxonomy only. Read: full-text |
| Guo 2001 Inhibitory potential of herbal medicines on human cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation: properties of umbelliferous or citrus crude drugs and their relative prescriptions Japanese Journal of Pharmacology · PMID 11388644 · DOI |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Human liver enzyme preparations | Hot-water decoctions and 40% ethanol infusions of Baizhi, Qianghuo, Duhuo (Angelica biserrata), Fangfeng, Danggui, Zhishi/Zhiqiao root and other parts n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Every herb tested, including duhuo, inhibited human CYP3A to some degree. Strength matched the amount of fat-loving compounds. In baizhi, furanocoumarins drove most of the effect. Some herbs inhibited more after pre-incubation, which suggests mechanism-based (lasting) inhibition. The authors call for more work on drug interactions. Various degrees; no single figure for duhuo in the abstract (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Human CYP3A inhibition (testosterone 6-beta-hydroxylation) Limitations: Test-tube study. Furanocoumarin role was shown in baizhi, not specifically in duhuo. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared Read: abstract |
| Irizar 2025 Phototoxicity and skin damage: A review of adverse effects of some furocoumarins found in natural extracts Food and Chemical Toxicology · PMID 39984024 · DOI |
Narrative review mixed |
Review of furocoumarin skin studies (cosmetics context) | Furocoumarins (mainly 8-methoxypsoralen and 5-methoxypsoralen) isolates n/a n/a · vs n/a |
With UVA light some furocoumarins can irritate skin, damage DNA and, in animals and PUVA patients, cause cancer. Potency varies; some are inactive. Effects depend on skin dose and UVA dose. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Photoirritation, photogenotoxicity, photocarcinogenicity Limitations: Cosmetic exposure review, not about du huo or swallowed herbs. Authors work for fragrance and cosmetics companies and an industry body (flagged industry link). Funding and conflicts: Industry-linked: authors employed by or advising fragrance and cosmetic companies and IFRA Read: abstract |
| Lu 2020 Traditional Chinese Medicine of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix: A Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics Frontiers in Pharmacology · PMID 32256373 · DOI |
Narrative review mixed |
Review of texts, lab and animal studies | Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (dried root) root n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Reviews coumarins and volatile oil, pain and inflammation work in animals, rat pharmacokinetics, and toxicity in mice, rats, dogs and zebrafish. Calls for more pharmacology and toxicology. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Chemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, toxicity Limitations: Narrative review, mostly lab and animal work; human trials of the root alone are not presented. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared Read: full-text |
| PubChem 2026 PubChem compound lookup: osthole (CID 10228), columbianadin (CID 6436246), bergapten (CID 2355), imperatorin (CID 10212) PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Osthol C15H16O3 (CID 10228) and columbianadin C19H20O5 (CID 6436246) confirmed by formula/title. Bergapten (2355) and imperatorin (10212) CIDs returned by name search. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Compound identity Limitations: Identifiers only. Read: full-text |
| Search note 2026 Regulator records for du huo (EMA/HMPC, NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, WHO): not found Searched PubMed and review texts only (2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
No EMA/HMPC monograph, NCCIH page, LiverTox entry or LactMed entry for Angelica pubescens or biserrata was found or opened. Not verified: the regulator sites were not searched in depth under the lean budget. Lu 2020 says the root is listed in the Chinese, British and European pharmacopoeias (read as a statement in the review only). Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Regulatory status Limitations: Absence of a record found is not evidence of safety. Read: full-text |
| Wan 2023 Efficacy and safety of Duhuo Jisheng decoction combined with Western medicine in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice · PMID 36809734 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
Adults with ankylosing spondylitis (RCTs; trial count not stated in abstract) | Duhuo Jisheng decoction (multi-herb formula) plus Western medicine mixed (formula) n/a n/a · vs Western medicine alone |
Formula plus Western medicine beat Western medicine alone on all listed outcomes, with fewer adverse reactions. Effective rate RR 1.40; spinal pain VAS MD -2.76; BASDAI MD -0.84; adverse reactions RR 0.50 (Effective rate 1.30 to 1.51; spinal pain -3.10 to -2.42; BASDAI -1.57 to -0.10; adverse reactions 0.38 to 0.66) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Effective rate, chest mobility, morning stiffness, BASDAI, pain VAS, CRP, ESR, adverse reactions Limitations: Formula of many herbs, so the result cannot be credited to du huo. Authors call the effect controversial. Trial count, blinding and heterogeneity not in the abstract; risk of bias was assessed but ratings not read. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared Read: abstract |
| Yang 2015 Transport of Twelve Coumarins from Angelicae Pubescentis Radix across a MDCK-pHaMDR Cell Monolayer Molecules · PMID 26121397 · DOI |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Cell layer model that carries the P-gp pump | Twelve isolated coumarins from the root, including osthol, bergapten, xanthotoxin, columbianadin root compounds n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Most coumarins crossed the cell layer well. Only coumarin 4 (peucedanol) had its transport changed by the P-gp blocker. Not applicable (n/a) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Apparent permeability; effect of the P-gp blocker verapamil Limitations: Cells in a dish; isolated compounds. Does not show whether these compounds block P-gp in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared Read: abstract |
| Yang 2020 A Review of the Botany, Traditional Use, Phytochemistry, Analytical Methods, Pharmacological Effects, and Toxicity of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine · PMID 32831877 · DOI |
Narrative review mixed |
Review of Chinese texts, lab, animal and some clinical reports | Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (dried root) root n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Reviews uses (rheumatoid arthritis, knee osteoarthritis, lumbar disc, ankylosing spondylitis, headache), chemistry and toxicity. Says toxicity studies are few. Not applicable Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Botany, traditional use, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity Limitations: Narrative review, not systematic. Mostly lab and animal work. Many sources are Chinese-language and were not re-checked. Funding and conflicts: No conflict declared Read: full-text |
| Zhang 2026 Warming acupuncture combined with Duhuo Jisheng decoction for lumbar disc herniation of qi stagnation and blood stasis accompanied with liver-kidney deficiency: a randomized controlled trial Zhongguo Zhen Jiu · PMID 41987442 · DOI |
Controlled trial |
104 Adults with lumbar disc herniation (TCM pattern) |
Modified Duhuo Jisheng decoction plus warming acupuncture mixed (formula) n/a 4 weeks · vs Modified Duhuo Jisheng decoction alone |
Both groups improved. Acupuncture plus formula improved pain, disability and function scores more than the formula alone (P<0.001). Not stated in the abstract text read (Not stated in the abstract text read) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Pain VAS, ODI, JOA score, movement range, muscle electrical activity, IL-6, TNF-alpha, clinical efficacy Limitations: Tests acupuncture added to the formula, not the herb or the formula against placebo. Chinese-language paper; abstract read in English translation was cut at about 3,000 characters, so later results were not read. Funding and conflicts: Not stated Read: abstract |
What we do not know yet
- No placebo-controlled human trial of du huo alone.
- Human trials test a many-herb formula, usually as an add-on.
- No human drug-interaction, liver or pregnancy study.
- No regulator record found (EMA/HMPC, NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed); not searched in depth.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it changes any rating or safety wording.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Inflammatory 1
C-reactive protein and ESR
Lowered in trials
Blood tests that rise with inflammation.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Shows whether inflammation is easing.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Lab markers moved in the hoped-for direction; units not given in the abstract.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | CRP mean difference -3.75 (95% CI -6.36 to -1.14); ESR -4.80 (-7.63 to -1.97) versus Western medicine alone. | Adults with ankylosing spondylitis (meta-analysis) | Duhuo Jisheng decoction plus Western medicine |
Other 4
BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index)
Lowered in trials
A questionnaire score of back pain, stiffness, tiredness and joint swelling in ankylosing spondylitis; lower is better.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Tracks disease activity.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Small difference; formula not du huo alone.
Safety implication
None specific in the abstract.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Formula plus Western medicine lowered BASDAI more than Western medicine alone: mean difference -0.84 (95% CI -1.57 to -0.10). | Adults with ankylosing spondylitis (meta-analysis) | Duhuo Jisheng decoction plus Western medicine |
WOMAC score (knee osteoarthritis)
Mixed results in trials
A questionnaire of knee pain, stiffness and daily function; lower is better.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Standard knee osteoarthritis outcome.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Main outcome null; subscale findings borderline.
Safety implication
No significant adverse effect reported.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | No significant difference in WOMAC at 4 weeks. Pain subscale lower at week 8 (MD -1.8, 95% CI -3.5 to -0.02); stiffness subscale lower at weeks 2 and 8. | 70 adults with knee osteoarthritis | Duhuo Jisheng decoction plus Tui-na versus Tui-na alone |
Pain (VAS), disability (ODI) and function (JOA) scores
Mixed results in trials
Rating scales for back pain, back-related disability and function in lumbar disc herniation.
Very low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Standard low back outcomes.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
The extra benefit is from acupuncture, not the herb.
Safety implication
Not reported in the part read.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | VAS and ODI fell and JOA rose in both groups; the acupuncture-plus-formula group improved more than the formula-only group (P<0.001). | 104 adults with lumbar disc herniation | Warming acupuncture plus modified Duhuo Jisheng versus the formula alone |
ADP-induced platelet aggregation (lab)
Lowered in trials
How strongly platelets clump when stimulated.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Platelet clumping contributes to clots.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Lab result only; not shown in people.
Safety implication
Possible additive bleeding effect with blood thinners is unproven.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Columbianetin, columbianetin acetate, columbianadin and osthole inhibited ADP-induced rat platelet aggregation in vitro. | Rat platelets in a dish | Isolated root compounds |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Sun sensitivity from furanocoumarins. The root contains furanocoumarins (xanthotoxin, bergapten, psoralen) and osthole, which Yang 2020 describes as photosensitizing; psoralen-type compounds can cause sun-triggered skin inflammation. In general, furanocoumarins plus UVA light can irritate skin and damage DNA. No human case with du huo was found. Authoritative guidance 12 6
- Possible drug interactions through liver enzymes. In the test tube, du huo extracts blocked the liver enzyme CYP3A4, and hot-water and ethanol preparations of duhuo blocked human CYP3A. CYP3A4 breaks down many medicines, so levels of some could rise. No human interaction study exists. Laboratory research 1 5
- Poisoning in two children who ate large amounts. A review reports two children who ate roughly 50 to 100 g of the root by accident; one died after vomiting, convulsions and coma, and the other became ill with vomiting, restlessness and an irregular heartbeat. Keep it away from children. Case report 12
Side effects 2
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun-triggered skin reaction (phototoxic dermatitis) Yang 2020 says psoralen-type compounds in the root could cause solar dermatitis in humans. The cosmetics review shows the mechanism but is about skin products, not the root. | Not established | Unknown for du huo Unknown | Authoritative guidance 12 6 |
| Adverse reactions in formula trials Formula, not the root alone. The knee trial found no significant adverse effect. | Meta-analysis: fewer adverse reactions with formula plus Western medicine than with Western medicine alone (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.66) | Not described in the abstract Unknown | Controlled trial 10 2 |
Liver
No human case of liver injury from du huo was found, and a LiverTox entry was not found (not verified). In animals, high amounts of the isolated furanocoumarin xanthotoxin caused liver damage, and the root's coumarins accumulate in the liver in rats. These are animal findings and may not apply to people. 12 7
How often. Not known in people.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice found. Anyone with liver disease or taking liver-affecting medicines should ask a doctor first.
- .
- .
- .
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Du Huo supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 4
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines broken down by CYP3A4 (many heart, cholesterol, transplant, cancer and other drugs) prescription | Du huo extract blocked CYP3A4 in a screening study, and duhuo preparations blocked human CYP3A in an older test-tube study; some preparations blocked more after pre-incubation, which suggests lasting (mechanism-based) inhibition. Furanocoumarins drove CYP3A inhibition in baizhi (a related root). | Unknown. Test-tube only; no human study of du huo. | Laboratory research Very low certainty 1 5 | If you take any prescription medicine, ask a pharmacist or doctor before using du huo, especially drugs with a narrow safety margin. |
| Medicines moved by the P-gp pump prescription | Cell work tested root coumarins in a P-gp-carrying cell layer; only one compound's transport changed with a P-gp blocker. Whether du huo blocks P-gp in people is unknown. | Unknown. Theoretical only. | Laboratory research Very low certainty 11 | Mention du huo to your pharmacist if you take drugs with a narrow safety margin. |
| Anticoagulants and antiplatelet medicines (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, others) prescription | In rat platelets in vitro root coumarins reduced ADP-induced clumping, and a root ethanol extract prolonged bleeding time in mice. No human or drug-interaction study. | Unknown. Theoretical bleeding risk. | Animal research Very low certainty 7 12 | If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder or surgery planned, ask a doctor or pharmacist first. |
| Other photosensitizing medicines and herbs (for example some antibiotics, St John's wort) prescription | Theoretical: two sun-sensitizing agents together. Not studied with du huo. | Unknown. | Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 12 6 | Use sun protection and ask a pharmacist. |
Who should check first 4
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Avoid unless a doctor who knows the herb agrees. No safety data for pregnancy or breastfeeding were found; absence of data is not proof of safety. Lu 2020 found root coumarins in rat ovary and uterus tissue after oral use, but this is not a human safety finding. | Gap 7 9 |
| Children | Keep away from children. Two child poisonings after eating the root were reported, one fatal. | Case report 12 |
| Liver or kidney disease | Ask a doctor first. A water extract of the root harmed the kidney in mice, possibly by blocking transporters that clear waste from the blood. | Animal research 7 |
| History of photosensitivity or skin cancer | Ask a doctor; furanocoumarins and UVA light can damage skin. | Authoritative guidance 6 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. Animals show harm at high amounts, and two children were poisoned by large amounts of root. Human safety at ordinary use is not well studied.
Animal. In mice the oral LD50 of a root extract was 7.35 g/kg. In a 90-day rat and dog study (Lu 2020), a capsule caused signs such as blue tail tip, restlessness and fast breathing that faded; Yang 2020 reports slower growth and stomach and tissue changes in the high-dose group. A water extract showed kidney toxicity in mice and organ toxicity in zebrafish embryos.
Human doses studied. No safe intake is established here. The Chinese Pharmacopoeia sets a daily range for adults, which Yang 2020 reports.
High dose or long term signals. Kidney toxicity in mice with a water extract; liver necrosis with long-term isolated xanthotoxin in animals.
Overdose response. Two child cases: vomiting, irritability, convulsions, coma (death in one); vomiting, restlessness, dilated pupils and irregular heartbeat in the other.
Genotoxicity. Furocoumarins plus UVA can damage DNA (cosmetics review); not assessed for du huo.
Toxic plant parts. The root is the medicinal part and carries the furanocoumarins.
Mix-ups between look-alike Angelica and Notopterygium roots are the main quality worry, and standards for authentic du huo differ.
Species and substitutes. Yang 2020 says the Chinese Pharmacopoeia uses the dried root of Angelica pubescens f. biserrata, that appearance alone is not a reliable test, and that substitutes and their differences in effect need study. The Pharmacopoeia quality marks are osthole and columbianadin, which the review calls unreliable. 12
Heavy metals and pesticides. Not covered in the sources read.
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|
When to get medical help
- Painful blistering or severe sunburn-like rash on skin exposed to sun
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain
- Unusual bleeding or bruising, especially on blood thinners
- Convulsions, confusion or drowsiness, or fast or irregular heartbeat, especially after a child eats the root
Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is du huo?
Does du huo work for joint pain?
What is the difference between du huo and qiang huo?
Is du huo the same as dong quai or dang gui?
No. Dang gui or dong quai is Angelica sinensis, used as a blood tonic. Du huo is a different Angelica root used for joint pain.
Is du huo the same as bai zhi?
No. Bai zhi is Angelica dahurica, a different root. Both are rich in furanocoumarins, and a 2001 study found both slowed human CYP3A in the test tube.
Can du huo make my skin sensitive to the sun?
Does du huo interact with medicines?
Is it safe with blood thinners?
Is du huo safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
Can it harm the liver?
No human case of liver injury was found, but animal studies of isolated xanthotoxin showed liver damage at high amounts. Ask a doctor first if you have liver disease.
Is it safe for children?
No. Two children who ate roughly 50 to 100 g of the root were poisoned, and one died. Keep it away from children.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We started from our existing du huo summary, read both 2020 reviews in full, re-checked the PubMed abstracts and added a few targeted searches. Plant names were checked in GBIF and compound IDs in PubChem. No regulator record was found.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Industry links are flagged where an abstract shows them.
Sources 13
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Ai C, Miao X, Wang L, He J. Discovery and Activity Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effect of Four Kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine Extracts on the CYP3A4 Enzyme. Combinatorial Chemistry and High Throughput Screening. 2023. PMID 36093820. DOI 10.2174/1386207325666220909100935. (abstract)
- Chan KH, Ching JYL, Chan KL, et al.. Therapeutic effect of Duhuo Jisheng Decoction add-on Tui-na manipulation on osteoarthritis of knee: a randomized controlled trial. Chinese Medicine. 2023. PMID 37424023. DOI 10.1186/s13020-023-00737-5. (abstract)
- GBIF. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Angelica pubescens. GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- GBIF. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match: Angelica biserrata. GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- Guo LQ, Taniguchi M, Chen QY, et al.. Inhibitory potential of herbal medicines on human cytochrome P450-mediated oxidation: properties of umbelliferous or citrus crude drugs and their relative prescriptions. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology. 2001. PMID 11388644. DOI 10.1254/jjp.85.399. (abstract)
- Irizar A, Boislève F, Gautier F, et al.. Phototoxicity and skin damage: A review of adverse effects of some furocoumarins found in natural extracts. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2025. PMID 39984024. DOI 10.1016/j.fct.2025.115332. (abstract)
- Lu Y, Wu H, Yu X, et al.. Traditional Chinese Medicine of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix: A Review of Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Pharmacokinetics. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2020. PMID 32256373. DOI 10.3389/fphar.2020.00335. (full-text)
- PubChem. PubChem compound lookup: osthole (CID 10228), columbianadin (CID 6436246), bergapten (CID 2355), imperatorin (CID 10212). PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- Search note. Regulator records for du huo (EMA/HMPC, NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, WHO): not found. Searched PubMed and review texts only (2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- Wan R, Ji Y, Fan Y, et al.. Efficacy and safety of Duhuo Jisheng decoction combined with Western medicine in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2023. PMID 36809734. DOI 10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101739. (abstract)
- Yang YF, Xu W, Song W, et al.. Transport of Twelve Coumarins from Angelicae Pubescentis Radix across a MDCK-pHaMDR Cell Monolayer. Molecules. 2015. PMID 26121397. DOI 10.3390/molecules200711719. (abstract)
- Yang L, Hou A, Wang S, et al.. A Review of the Botany, Traditional Use, Phytochemistry, Analytical Methods, Pharmacological Effects, and Toxicity of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2020. PMID 32831877. DOI 10.1155/2020/7460781. (full-text)
- Zhang J, Jiao J, Zhang S. Warming acupuncture combined with Duhuo Jisheng decoction for lumbar disc herniation of qi stagnation and blood stasis accompanied with liver-kidney deficiency: a randomized controlled trial. Zhongguo Zhen Jiu. 2026. PMID 41987442. DOI 10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250228-0001. (abstract)