Suan Zao Ren Tang (Sour Jujube Decoction)

Suan Zao Ren Tang is a multi-herb decoction whose primary bioactive compounds derive from its five classical ingredients. Suan Zao Ren (Ziziphus spinosa seeds) provides jujubosides A and B (estimated 0.5–2 mg/100 mL decoction), sanjoinine A (an aporphine alkaloid), spinosin (a flavonoid C-glycoside, ~1–3 mg/100 mL), and betulinic acid — collectively responsible for GABAergic sedative and anxiolytic activity. Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) contributes tetramethylpyrazine (ligustrazine, ~0.3–1 mg/100 mL) and ferulic acid (~0.5–1.5 mg/100 mL), which promote cerebral blood flow and mild analgesic effects. Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena asphodeloides) yields steroidal saponins including timosaponin B-II (~1–4 mg/100 mL) and mangiferin (~0.2–0.8 mg/100 mL), offering anti-inflammatory and mild hypnotic properties. Fu Ling (Poria cocos) provides beta-glucan polysaccharides (pachyman) and triterpenoids (pachymic acid, ~0.1–0.5 mg/100 mL) with immunomodulatory and mild diuretic activity. Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) contributes glycyrrhizin (~1–3 mg/100 mL) and liquiritigenin, a flavonoid with estrogenic and GABA-A receptor modulating activity. The decoction is virtually free of macronutrients (negligible protein, fat, fiber); mineral content includes trace potassium, magnesium, and calcium leached during decoction. Bioavailability of jujubosides is moderate but enhanced by gut microbiota-mediated hydrolysis to jujubogenin; spinosin crosses the blood-brain barrier. Glycyrrhizin bioavailability is improved by hepatic first-pass conversion to glycyrrhetinic acid.