Shaoyao-Gancao Decoction: Chemical Constituents, Analgesic Mechanisms and Quality Markers

Shaoyao Gancao Decoction (SGD), a classic antispasmodic-analgesic formula from Treatise on Febrile Diseases , is widely modified for analgesia in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). This review systematically summarizes the chemical constituents, analgesic molecular mechanisms, and clinical applications of modified SGD and predicts its analgesic-related quality markers (Q-markers). Literature information was collected from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, CNKI and Baidu Scholar to sort out the chemical components, analgesic mechanisms, clinical applications and compatibility characteristics of modified SGD. The potential analgesic Q-markers were further predicted based on the five principles of quality markers together with network pharmacology. SGD is mainly composed of flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, organic acids, volatile oils and coumarins, and exerts analgesic effects by elevating pain threshold, inhibiting inflammation, relieving central sensitization and regulating metabolic processes. Eight compounds including paeoniflorin, albiflorin, liquiritin, liquiritin apioside, glycyrrhizic acid, isoliquiritin, isoliquiritigenin and isoliquiritigeninol were screened out as potential analgesic Q-markers of SGD. This study clarifies the chemical constituents, analgesic molecular mechanisms and clinical applications of modified SGD and predicts its analgesic quality markers, which provides a basis for exploring its pharmacodynamic material basis and optimizing its quality-evaluation system.