Guizhi Shaoyao Zhimu Decoction (桂枝芍药知母汤, GSZD), originating from Jingui Yaolue (Synopsis of the Golden Chamber), and has the effect of regulating the circulation of three Jiao in the body, balancing cold and heat as well as deficiency and excess, and preventing diseases from developing into the organs. It is widely used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, especially arthritis related rheumatic diseases. It is widely utilized in the treatment of rheumatic diseases, particularly inflammatory arthritis. This review synthesized the literature from the past two decades, revealing that the anti-rheumatic mechanisms of GSZD primarily involved inhibiting inflammatory responses, modulating immune function, regulating bone metabolism, controlling cellular autophagy, suppressing cell proliferation/apoptosis and intervening in gut microbiota and serum metabolic profiles. Clinically, GSZD demonstrates therapeutic efficacy for multiple rheumatic disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), gouty arthritis (GA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Additionally, it alleviates rheumatic disease-associated complications such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular damage, pulmonary complications and pannus formation. When combined with Western medicine, it may reduce adverse drug reactions. Current mechanistic studies face challenges including unidentified bioactive components and insufficient molecular-level investigations. Clinical research is constrained by limitations such as simplified syndrome differentiation patterns, undefined optimal dosage and treatment duration, scarce studies on single-formula preparations and predominance of single-center small-sample trials. Further exploration is warranted to fully elucidate its therapeutic value and potential in rheumatic disease management.
| 科 Family | 属数 Number of genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) | 属 Genus | 种数 Number of species | 占总种数比例 Percentage of total species (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae | 2 | 11 | 5.26 | 鹅膏菌属 Amanita | 10 | 4.78 |
| 小菇科 Mycenaceae | 2 | 12 | 5.74 | 丝盖伞属 Inocybe | 5 | 2.39 |
| 多孔菌科 Polyporaceae | 8 | 14 | 6.70 | 蜡蘑属 Laccaria | 5 | 2.39 |
| 红菇科 Russulaceae | 3 | 23 | 11.00 | 小皮伞属 Marasmius | 6 | 2.87 |
| 小菇属 Mycena | 11 | 5.26 | ||||
| 光柄菇属 Pluteus | 5 | 2.39 | ||||
| 红菇属 Russula | 17 | 8.13 | ||||
| 栓菌属 Trametes | 5 | 2.39 |