Shuanghuanglian Extract (English Translation)
Shuanghuanglian Extract is a compound extract made from three Chinese medicinal herbs—Lonicera japonica, Scutellaria baicalensis, and Forsythia suspensa—in a certain proportion. Its core effects are clearing heat and detoxifying, dispelling wind and relieving exterior symptoms, antivirus, and anti-inflammation. It is a commonly used Chinese medicinal compound raw material in clinical practice and epidemic prevention.
Shuanghuanglian Extract
I. Basic Information
Raw Material Formula (Classic Ratio): Scutellaria baicalensis 50%, Lonicera japonica 25%, Forsythia suspensa 25%.
Properties: Brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown powder; slightly fragrant in odor, slightly bitter in taste; easily soluble in water and soluble in ethanol.
Core Components
Lonicera japonica: Chlorogenic acid, Luteolin-7-glucoside (antiviral, anti-inflammatory).
Scutellaria baicalensis: Baicalin, Wogonin (heat-clearing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant).
Forsythia suspensa: Forsythin, Forsythoside A (antiviral, immunomodulatory).
II. Extraction Process (Mainstream: Water Extraction-Alcohol Precipitation + Refinement)
Scutellaria baicalensis: Decoct with water → Precipitate with hydrochloric acid → Dissolve with alkali → Remove impurities with ethanol → Recrystallization → Baicalin.
Lonicera japonica + Forsythia suspensa: Decoct with water → Concentrate → Precipitate with ethanol → Decolorize with activated carbon → Spray/Freeze drying.
Mixed Ratio: Mix the three extracts in the prescription ratio, and package after passing the inspection.
III. Core Pharmacological Effects (Modern Research)
Broad-spectrum Antiviral: Inhibits influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, herpes virus, etc., and blocks virus adsorption and replication.
Anti-inflammatory and Antipyretic: Inhibits the NF-κB pathway, reduces inflammatory factors such as TNF-α and IL-6, and relieves fever and swelling.
Antibacterial: Has an inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, etc.
Immunomodulatory: Enhances the phagocytic capacity of macrophages and improves the body's non-specific immunity.
Shuanghuanglian Extract Powder has multiple specifications
mainly divided into the following categories based on particle size, active ingredient content, and packaging, which are widely used in different application scenarios:
1. Particle Size Specification (Core Physical Specification)
Common specifications: 80 mesh, 100 mesh, 200 mesh (equivalent to about 70.9-79.1μm, consistent with the "extremely fine powder" standard in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia), 300 mesh (48μm), 500 mesh (25μm).
Application distinction: 80-100 mesh is suitable for feed additives and general daily chemical raw materials; 200-500 mesh (ultrafine powder) has better solubility, which is suitable for oral preparations, functional beverages and high-end daily chemical products, and can be directly dissolved in water for drinking.
2. Active Ingredient Content Specification (Core Quality Specification)
Standard specifications (in line with common quality standards):
Baicalin ≥ 4.5%
Chlorogenic acid ≥ 0.9%
Forsythin ≥ 0.15%
High-purity specifications (for high-end pharmaceuticals): The content of baicalin can reach ≥ 8%, chlorogenic acid ≥ 2%, which is mainly used for the production of injections and high-grade oral preparations, with stricter quality control referring to the quality standard requirements of Shuanghuanglian powder injections.
3. Packaging Specification
Small packaging: 100g/bottle, 250g/bottle, 500g/bottle (suitable for laboratory use, small-batch trial production).
Large packaging: 1kg/bag, 5kg/bag, 25kg/drum (suitable for industrial production, such as large-scale pharmaceutical, feed and daily chemical production).
4. Other Special Specifications
Microbial limit specification: In line with the relevant standards of Chinese medicinal extracts, the total number of bacteria, mold and yeast meets the requirements of pharmaceutical, food or feed grade, referring to the microbial control standards of similar Chinese medicinal extracts.
Solubility specification: Easily soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol (the solubility can be customized according to application needs, such as improving water solubility for oral liquid production).
IV. Application Scenarios
1. Human Drugs
Oral Preparations: Oral liquid, granules, capsules, tablets (for wind-heat cold, fever and sore throat, upper respiratory tract infection).
Injections: Powder injection/Injection (for severe infection, pneumonia, tonsillitis; must be used strictly as directed by a doctor).
External Use: Suppositories (for infantile exogenous fever), eye drops (for viral keratitis).
2. Veterinary Drugs and Feed Additives
Livestock and Poultry: Prevention and treatment of influenza, Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, colibacillosis, mycoplasmosis, etc.
Usage: Drinking water, mixing with feed, injection; Preventive dosage: 0.1–0.2g/kg, for 3–5 consecutive days.
3. Daily Chemicals and Food
Natural preservatives, functional beverages, oral care products (utilizing antibacterial and antiviral properties).
V. Usage and Dosage (Reference)
Human Use (Oral): Adults take 3–6g of extract per day, divided into 3 doses; dosage for children should be reduced appropriately.
Veterinary Use: Mixed drinking: Add 0.2–0.5g to 1L of water; Mixed feeding: Add 0.5–1g to 1kg of feed; Injectable for severe cases.
VI. Contraindications and Precautions
TCM Syndrome Differentiation: Only applicable to wind-heat syndrome (fever, sore throat, yellow phlegm); Forbidden for wind-cold cold (aversion to cold, clear nasal discharge).
Allergy Risk: Injections are prone to cause allergies (rash, shock); Forbidden for allergic constitution; Must be used in medical institutions.
Compatibility Contraindications: Avoid mixing with Western medicines such as aminoglycosides, macrolides, and quinolones.
Storage: Sealed, stored in a cool, dry and dark place; Shelf life is 24 months.
VII. Quality Standard (Reference)
Baicalin: ≥4.5%
Chlorogenic acid: ≥0.9%
Forsythin: ≥0.15%
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Shuanghuanglian Extract
1. What is the use of Shuanghuanglian Extract?
It is mainly used for clearing heat and detoxifying, dispelling wind and relieving exterior symptoms, antivirus and anti-inflammation. Clinically, it is widely used in the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, acute bronchitis, pneumonia and other diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. It can also be used as a raw material for veterinary drugs, feed additives, daily chemicals and food.
2. Is Shuanghuanglian Extract safe? Are there any side effects?
Oral preparations of Shuanghuanglian Extract are relatively safe when used as directed by a doctor. However, its injections have potential safety risks, mainly manifested in severe adverse reactions such as anaphylactic shock, anaphylactoid reactions, dyspnea, and skin rashes, among which anaphylactic shock accounts for 36% of severe case reports. Other possible side effects include high fever, chills, laryngeal edema, and liver function damage. It is recommended to use it under the guidance of professionals.
3. Who should not use Shuanghuanglian Extract?
① People with allergic constitution, or those who have had adverse reactions to Shuanghuanglian Extract before; ② Patients with wind-cold cold (manifested as aversion to cold and clear nasal discharge), because it is only suitable for wind-heat syndrome; ③ Patients with cough and asthma, cardiopulmonary function diseases, angioedema and phlebitis should avoid using it; ④ Children, pregnant women, and the elderly and infirm should use it under the guidance of a doctor.
4. How to use Shuanghuanglian Extract correctly? What is the dosage?
For human oral use: Adults take 3–6g of extract per day, divided into 3 doses; the dosage for children should be reduced appropriately. For veterinary use: For mixed drinking, add 0.2–0.5g to 1L of water; for mixed feeding, add 0.5–1g to 1kg of feed; it can be injected for severe cases. The preventive dosage is 0.1–0.2g/kg for 3–5 consecutive days. Injections must be used in medical institutions, strictly follow the doctor's advice, and avoid overdose.
5. Can Shuanghuanglian Extract be mixed with other drugs?
It is not recommended to mix Shuanghuanglian Extract injections with other drugs (especially Western medicines such as aminoglycosides, macrolides, and quinolones) for compatibility use. It is strictly prohibited to mix multiple drugs in the same infusion bottle or use them continuously without interval fluid, so as to avoid serious adverse reactions caused by improper compatibility. If combined use is really necessary, the interval time and drug interactions should be carefully considered.
6. What are the core components of Shuanghuanglian Extract and what are their effects?
It is composed of three Chinese medicinal herbs: Lonicera japonica, Scutellaria baicalensis and Forsythia suspensa. The core components include chlorogenic acid and luteolin-7-glucoside in Lonicera japonica (with antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects), baicalin and wogonin in Scutellaria baicalensis (with heat-clearing, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects), and forsythin and forsythoside A in Forsythia suspensa (with antiviral and immunomodulatory effects).
7. Can Shuanghuanglian Extract inhibit the new coronavirus?
Relevant studies have shown that Shuanghuanglian Extract has a certain antiviral effect and can inhibit the adsorption and replication of a variety of viruses. However, there is currently no sufficient authoritative evidence to prove that it can effectively inhibit the new coronavirus, and it must not be used without authorization as a preventive or therapeutic drug for the new coronavirus.
8. How to store Shuanghuanglian Extract? What is its shelf life?
It should be sealed and stored in a cool, dry and dark place to avoid moisture and exposure to sunlight. Under appropriate storage conditions, the shelf life is 24 months, and it is not recommended to use it after the expiration date.