---
title: How does Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet work to help PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: This rat study shows the tablet may work by changing how the body handles glucose and fats and by reducing brain inflammation. Results cannot yet be applied t
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/mechanistic-study-on-the-holistic-actions-of-hong-hua-xiao-yao-tablet-in-2026/
---

- [Niyora](https://niyora.com/)
- [Research](https://niyora.com/research/)
- [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/)
- How does Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet work to help PMS symptoms?

Lab study, 2026

# How does Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet work to help PMS symptoms?

This rat study shows the tablet may work by changing how the body handles glucose and fats and by reducing brain inflammation. Results cannot yet be applied to women with PMS.

 Early or limited evidence

Female rats

## What they did

Researchers gave Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet to female rats and studied how it works using multiple methods. They analyzed blood chemicals, measured how genes were expressed in tissues, analyzed gut bacteria composition, tested effects on brain cells in the laboratory, and tested individual compounds to see which ones were active.

## What they found

The tablet changed how the body handles glucose, fat molecules, and cell membrane components. Four specific compounds from one ingredient (glycyrrhizic acid, 18-beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, liquiritin, and liquiritigenin) reduced inflammation in brain cells. Researchers identified 62 compounds that entered the blood after treatment, with 36 from one main ingredient. Gut bacteria appeared to play a role in some of the benefits.

## What it means for you

The tablet may work through changes in how the body processes glucose and fats, and through reducing brain inflammation. These findings are from rat studies and cannot yet be applied to women. Human studies are needed to confirm whether the tablet helps women with PMS.

62

blood-absorbed compounds identified

36

from one ingredient

4

compounds that reduced brain inflammation

## About the study

Original title Mechanistic study on the holistic actions of Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet in alleviating premenstrual syndrome in rats Authors Wei W, Li M, Chen K et al. Journal Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology Year 2026 Study design Lab study What was tested Hong-Hua-Xiao-Yao Tablet Read the paper [doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158161](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158161)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[IBS and gut symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-ibs-gi/)[Stigma, attitudes and culture](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-stigma-culture/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

## Related studies

Randomised trial, 2006

What herbs and dietary supplements have evidence for treating premenstrual syndrome?

Study, 2026

What coping strategies help women manage PMS symptoms?

Survey study, 2016

How do women use complementary and alternative medicine for menstrual pain?

Case-control study, 2009

How common is irritable bowel syndrome in Korean teenage girls and what causes it?

Survey study, 2026

What coping methods do women with PMS use?

Survey study, 2024

What do pharmacy students know about using herbs for PMS?

Ask AI about this page

Copy prompt

ChatGPT

↗

Claude

↗

Perplexity

↗

Google AI Mode

↗

Grok

↗