Dang Gui Extract: The Complete Scientific Guide

🧬 What is Dang Gui Extract? Complete Identification

Dang Gui is the dried root of Angelica sinensis and common clinical dosing equivalents are 6–12 g of dried root/day (traditional) or a standardized extract of approximately 300–1,500 mg/day.

Medical definition: Dang Gui extract is a botanical medicinal product derived from the dried root of Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels, prepared by aqueous, hydroalcoholic or supercritical CO2 extraction and frequently standardized to marker compounds such as ferulic acid and Z-ligustilide.

Alternative names: Dang Gui, Dong Quai, Chinese angelica, female ginseng, Tang Kuei.

Scientific classification: Kingdom: Plantae; Family: Apiaceae; Genus: Angelica; Species: sinensis.

Chemical formula note: The whole extract has no single chemical formula; major marker compounds include C10H10O4 (ferulic acid) and C12H14O2 (Z-ligustilide).

Origin & production: The medicinal material is harvested principally from Gansu, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces of China in autumn or the spring after flowering; extracts are produced by solvent extraction and standardized to marker(s).

📜 History and Discovery

Dang Gui is documented in classical Chinese materia medica for at least 1,500–2,000 years as a blood tonic and gynecologic herb.

• Ancient (1st–3rd c. CE): referenced in classical texts as a blood tonic and gynecologic remedy.
• 16th–18th c.: expanded description in Ming/Qing pharmacopeias; used in multi-herb formulas (e.g., Si Wu Tang).
• 19th c.: botanical classification under modern taxonomy as Angelica sinensis.
• 20th c. onwards: phytochemical isolation (ferulic acid, phthalides), preclinical pharmacology and development of standardized extracts.

Modern evolution: research focuses on isolating phthalides and phenolics, standardization to markers, and translating traditional formulas into reproducible commercial products.

Interesting facts:

• Often marketed as "female ginseng" despite no botanical relation to Panax species.
• Standardization typically uses ferulic acid and/or Z-ligustilide.
• Constituent profile varies by geography, harvest time and extraction method, causing clinical heterogeneity.

⚗️ Chemistry and Biochemistry

The root contains hydrophilic polysaccharides and phenolic acids and lipophilic volatile phthalides — the two most cited markers are ferulic acid (C10H10O4) and Z-ligustilide (C12H14O2).

Molecular constituents (major)

• Ferulic acid (C10H10O4): phenylpropanoid; water-soluble conjugation-prone molecule.
• Z-ligustilide (C12H14O2): lipophilic phthalide, unstable to heat and oxidation.
• Polysaccharides (ASP): high-molecular-weight acidic/neutral polysaccharide mixture implicated in immunomodulation.
• Other phthalides and minor flavonoids/saponins.

Physicochemical properties

• Ferulic acid solubility: ~0.6 g/L in water at 25°C, ionizes above pH 4.6.
• Z-ligustilide: poorly water-soluble; lipophilic and volatile.
• Polysaccharides: water-soluble; form viscous solutions depending on MW.

Dosage forms

Common forms: dried root/decoction, aqueous extract powder (capsules/tablets), hydroalcoholic standardized extracts (dual-standardized), supercritical CO2 lipophilic fractions, tinctures.

Stability & storage

Phthalides are labile to heat, oxygen and light; extracts should be stored airtight, protected from light and kept cool (4–25°C).

💊 Pharmacokinetics: The Journey in Your Body

Pharmacokinetic behavior is constituent-dependent: small phenolics show Tmax 0.5–2 h, phthalides show later/variable Tmax (~1–3 h), polysaccharides have negligible systemic bioavailability.

Absorption and Bioavailability

Absorption: lipophilic phthalides absorb by passive diffusion in the small intestine; phenolic acids absorb partially via ionized forms; polysaccharides largely act in the gut or via microbiota metabolism.

• Influencing factors: formulation (hydroalcoholic increases phthalides), fatty meals (increase phthalide absorption), gastric pH, first-pass metabolism and gut microbiome.
• Reported bioavailability estimates:
  • Ferulic acid: ~20–60% (varies; much circulates as glucuronide/sulfate conjugates).
  • Ligustilide: often <20% for free parent due to instability and rapid metabolism.
  • Polysaccharides: systemic bioavailability of intact molecules is very low.

Distribution and Metabolism

Distribution: small molecules can reach liver, circulatory system and, for lipophilic phthalides, animal studies show some brain penetration.

Metabolism: ferulic acid undergoes UGT/SULT phase II conjugation; phthalides undergo oxidative metabolism (possible CYP involvement); microbiota generate phenolic catabolites from polysaccharides/phenolics.

Elimination

Elimination routes: renal excretion of conjugates is primary; biliary excretion for some higher MW metabolites possible. Parent ferulic acid half-life ~0.5–2 h; conjugates persist longer but generally clear within 24–72 h.

🔬 Molecular Mechanisms of Action

Dang Gui acts via multiple complementary mechanisms including Nrf2 antioxidant activation, NF-κB suppression, eNOS/NO upregulation and immunomodulation by polysaccharides.

• Cellular targets: endothelial cells, platelets, macrophages, neurons.
• Receptors: weak interaction with estrogen receptors (ERα/ERβ) in vitro; indirect modulation of pattern-recognition receptor signaling.
• Key pathways: NF-κB downregulation, Nrf2/ARE activation, PI3K/Akt and MAPK modulation, eNOS upregulation.

Gene effects: upregulation of HO-1 and antioxidant enzymes; downregulation of TNF, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2 in inflammatory models.

✨ Science-Backed Benefits

🎯 Relief of menstrual disorders and dysmenorrhea

Evidence Level: Medium

Physiological explanation: Dang Gui may reduce uterine prostaglandin-driven cramping by lowering COX-2 and inflammatory cytokines and improve uterine blood flow via eNOS/NO signaling.

Target populations: women with primary dysmenorrhea or mild menstrual irregularity seeking non-hormonal options.

Onset time: symptom improvements typically within 1–3 menstrual cycles (4–12 weeks) when used as decoction or standardized extract.

Clinical Study: Evidence often derives from combination formulas (e.g., Si Wu Tang variants) and small trials summarized in TCM literature (primary dataset). Specific RCTs of isolated Dang Gui are limited; see research request note below for up-to-date PMIDs/DOIs.

🎯 Menopausal symptom support (vasomotor)

Evidence Level: Low–Medium

Mechanism: Weak estrogenic modulation plus vascular and serotonergic influences may reduce hot flashes and sleep disturbance.

Onset time: commonly 6–12 weeks to detect effect in trials of combination herbs.

Clinical Study: Most clinical evidence uses multi-herb preparations; isolated Dang Gui data are sparse (primary dataset context).

🎯 Hematopoietic support (adjunctive)

Evidence Level: Low

Physiological explanation: Polysaccharides may modulate cytokines involved in erythropoiesis and improved microcirculation supports tissue oxygen delivery.

Onset time: hematologic changes slower — typically 4–12 weeks.

Clinical Study: Traditional formula Danggui Buxue Tang (Astragalus + Dang Gui) reports small clinical and preclinical improvements in erythropoietic markers in small studies (primary dataset; request literature pull for PMIDs).

🎯 Peripheral circulation and vasodilation

Evidence Level: Medium (preclinical/physiologic)

Mechanism: eNOS induction, antioxidant preservation of NO, decreased platelet aggregation.

Onset time: subjective warmth may appear in days–weeks; measurable endothelial changes may take weeks.

Clinical Study: Physiologic studies and animal models support endothelial benefits; human RCT data on isolated Dang Gui are limited (primary dataset).

🎯 Anti-inflammatory & analgesic effects

Evidence Level: Medium

Mechanism: NF-κB downregulation lowers TNF-α/IL-6 and reduces iNOS/COX-2 expression.

Onset time: often days–weeks.

Clinical Study: Preclinical and small clinical studies in inflammatory pain models show reductions in inflammatory markers (primary dataset).

🎯 Neuroprotective and cognitive support

Evidence Level: Low

Mechanism: Phthalides cross the BBB in animals; Nrf2 activation and anti-inflammatory effects reduce oxidative neurodegeneration.

Onset time: likely weeks to months; human evidence scarce.

Clinical Study: Mostly animal studies and early-phase translational work (primary dataset).

🎯 Hepatoprotective support

Evidence Level: Low–Medium (preclinical)

Mechanism: antioxidant Nrf2 induction, reduced hepatic cytokines and oxidative biomarkers.

Onset time: biomarker shifts observed over weeks in animal models.

Clinical Study: Preclinical hepatoprotection demonstrated in toxin/ischemia models; human trials limited (primary dataset).

🎯 Immunomodulation (innate immunity)

Evidence Level: Low–Medium

Mechanism: Polysaccharide fractions stimulate macrophage phagocytosis, NK cell activity and modulate cytokine balance.

Onset time: immune marker modulation usually within weeks.

Clinical Study: Small clinical and many animal/in vitro studies show immunomodulatory signals (primary dataset).

📊 Current Research (2020-2026)

Between 2000–2026 the literature expanded on molecular mechanisms but randomized, high-quality RCTs of isolated Dang Gui remain limited; most human trials study multi-herb formulas.

• Notable research themes (2020–2026): molecular Nrf2/NF-κB signaling, standardization analytics (HPLC/LC-MS), stability of phthalides, PK of isolated constituents, and small clinical trials of classical formulas.
• Important caveat: I do not have live PubMed access in this session to list real PMIDs/DOIs. If you request, I will perform a targeted literature extraction and return verifiable PMIDs/DOIs and structured study summaries.

Action: Reply asking: "Please run literature search for Dang Gui clinical trials 2000–2026" and I will provide a verified list of PMIDs/DOIs and study summaries.

💊 Optimal Dosage and Usage

Traditional decoction dosing is 6–12 g/day dried root; common standardized extract dosing is 300–1,500 mg/day, with many products at 300–600 mg/day.

Recommended Daily Dose (based on traditional practice and clinical use)

• Standard: 300–600 mg/day standardized extract (most commercial products).
• Therapeutic range: 300–1,500 mg/day depending on preparation and indication.
• By goal:
  • Dysmenorrhea: 400–600 mg/day or decoction equivalent, initiated 3–7 days prior to menses and during the period.
  • Menopausal symptoms: 400–800 mg/day for at least 8–12 weeks.
  • Hematopoietic adjunct: classical Danggui Buxue Tang ratios (Astragalus 5: Dang Gui 1) used in TCM decoctions.

Timing

Take with food to improve GI tolerability and absorption of lipophilic phthalides; evening dosing may be used for sleep/menopausal symptom support.

Forms and Bioavailability

🤝 Synergies and Combinations

Dang Gui is classically combined with Astragalus in Danggui Buxue Tang in a 5:1 ratio (Astragalus: Dang Gui) to synergize hematopoietic and immune effects.

• Astragalus membranaceus: hematopoietic synergy (classical formula).
• Ginkgo biloba: additive microcirculation benefits — use caution due to bleeding risk.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: complementary vascular anti-inflammatory effects.
• Iron: adjunctive for symptomatic support; separate dosing by 1–2 hours to avoid phenolic chelation.

⚠️ Safety and Side Effects

Dang Gui is generally well tolerated at customary doses; the most important safety signal is increased bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants or antiplatelet agents.

Side Effect Profile

• Gastrointestinal upset (nausea, 1–5% estimated).
• Allergic skin reactions (rare <1%).
• Bleeding/bruising risk in susceptible individuals — frequency unknown but clinically significant if combined with anticoagulants.
• Photosensitivity (rare).

Overdose

Toxicity reports at customary oral doses are rare; overdose symptoms include severe GI upset, dizziness, hypotension and bleeding.

💊 Drug Interactions

Dang Gui has clinically significant interaction potential with anticoagulants/antiplatelets leading to an increased bleeding risk — this is the highest-severity interaction.

⚕️ Anticoagulants / Antiplatelet agents

• Medications: warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix).
• Interaction: Pharmacodynamic potentiation of bleeding.
• Severity: High
• Recommendation: Avoid concurrent use or manage under clinician supervision; monitor INR if on warfarin and consider stopping herb 7–14 days pre-procedure.

⚕️ Hormone therapies / Estrogenic agents

• Medications: estradiol, conjugated estrogens, combined OCPs.
• Interaction: Potential additive estrogenic effects.
• Severity: Medium
• Recommendation: Use caution in hormone-sensitive conditions (breast or endometrial cancer) and consult an oncologist or prescriber.

⚕️ CYP450 substrates with narrow therapeutic index

• Medications: tacrolimus, theophylline, certain antiepileptics, warfarin (also via PD effect).
• Interaction: Potential metabolic modulation — evidence inconsistent.
• Severity: Medium
• Recommendation: Monitor drug levels and clinical effect when starting or stopping Dang Gui.

⚕️ Antihypertensives

• Medications: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium-channel blockers.
• Interaction: Additive hypotensive/vasodilatory effects.
• Severity: Low–Medium
• Recommendation: Monitor blood pressure after initiation.

⚕️ Herbs/supplements with antiplatelet effects

• Medications: ginkgo biloba, garlic (high dose), ginger (high dose), fish oil high-dose.
• Interaction: Additive bleeding risk.
• Severity: Medium–High
• Recommendation: Avoid multiple antiplatelet herbs concurrently in high-risk patients.

🚫 Contraindications

Absolute Contraindications

• Concurrent anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy without clinician approval.
• Known allergy to Apiaceae family plants.
• Active clinically significant bleeding disorders.

Relative Contraindications

• Estrogen-sensitive cancers or history thereof — consult oncology.
• Pregnancy — generally avoid unless supervised by experienced TCM/obstetric practitioner.
• Breastfeeding — insufficient data; use caution.

Special Populations

• Pregnancy: Avoid — possible uterine-stimulating/blood-moving properties.
• Breastfeeding: Use with caution; data lacking.
• Children: Not routinely recommended without specialist guidance.
• Elderly: Start low, monitor bleeding and polypharmacy.

🔄 Comparison with Alternatives

Dang Gui offers a distinctive hydrophilic + lipophilic constituent profile useful for gynecologic and circulatory indications — not directly interchangeable with Panax ginseng or black cohosh.

• Vs Panax ginseng: Dang Gui targets menstrual/hematopoietic and circulatory indications vs ginseng’s adaptogenic/energy use.
• Vs Black cohosh: Both used for menopausal symptoms; black cohosh has more RCT data for hot flashes, while Dang Gui is often used in formulas addressing blood/circulation.

✅ Quality Criteria and Product Selection (US Market)

Buyers should prioritize third-party tested products with batch Certificates of Analysis showing ferulic acid and/or ligustilide content, heavy metals, microbial limits and pesticide screening.

• GMP manufacturing and CoA availability.
• Analytical testing: HPLC/LC-MS for ferulic acid and ligustilide, polysaccharide profiling, heavy metals (Pb/As/Cd/Hg), microbial testing and solvent residues.
• Certifications: USP/NSF/ConsumerLab where available.

📝 Practical Tips

• Prefer hydroalcoholic standardized extracts if you want both phthalides and phenolics.
• Take with food (especially fats) to improve absorption of lipophilic constituents.
• Stop 7–14 days before elective surgery; consult clinician if on anticoagulants.
• Separate Dang Gui and oral iron by 1–2 hours.
• Store products sealed and protected from light/oxygen.

🎯 Conclusion: Who Should Take Dang Gui Extract?

Dang Gui extract is most appropriate for adults seeking adjunctive support for menstrual discomfort, mild circulation issues, or as part of traditional TCM formula regimens — but it should be avoided or used cautiously in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and anyone on anticoagulant or narrow-therapeutic-index medications.

If you want a validated list of randomized controlled trials, PMIDs and DOIs (2000–2026) and structured study summaries with quantitative outcomes, reply: "Please provide PubMed search and RCT list for Dang Gui 2000–2026" and I will fetch verifiable citations and add them into this article.

Source basis for this article: Primary composite dataset supplied with detailed phytochemical, pharmacokinetic and clinical-use information. For peer-reviewed primary studies and PMIDs, request an evidence pull as noted above.