Gastric ulcer is a common disease in digestive system. Although modern medicine has made great progresses in the pathogenesis and treatment of gastric ulcer

many problems still exists

such as the side-effects of drugs and the recurrence after treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has its advantages in gastric ulcer treatment. TCM doctors find that most of the patients with gastric ulcer in active state (GUIAS) exhibit 'toxin-heat’ syndrome. Thus in the treatment of GUIAS

they follow the principle of Qingre Jiedu Xiaoyong Shengji prescriptions. Xiaoyong Kuide Kang prescription has shown significant clinical effect on GUIAS patients. Using the Xiaoyong Kuide Kang prescription by following the principle of Qingre Jiedu Xiaoyong Shengji Prescriptions therapeutic strategy

significant clinical effect has been proved

which is also can be testified in Animal experiments. The mechanisms include inhibiting inflammation

increasing the expression of growth factors and trefoil factors

and promoting the release of prostaglandin E2 and so on. The Xiaoyong Kuide Kang consists of Astragali Radix

Coptidis Rhizoma

Taraxaci Herba

Sophorae Flavescentis Radix

Fritillariae Thunbergil Bulbus

Sepiae Endoconcha

Bletillae Rhizoma

Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma

Bupleuri Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma. Most of the single medicine extracts in the prescription have also been confirmed effective against gastric ulcer. It has been reported that liquorice and its extracts can not only kill Helicobacter pylori (Hp)directly but also inhibit Hp adhering to the stomach wall

thus relieving the infection;Coptidis Rhizoma

Taraxaci Herba and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma can reduce inflammation associated with gastric ulcer;Bletillae Rhizoma mannan

Taraxaci Herba and saikoside can inhibit the secretion of gastric acid;some extracts have the antioxidant effect

such as dandelion ethanol extracts

phenolic compounds and polysaccharide succinic acid ester from Bletillae Rhizoma

and the total alkaloids from Coptidis Rhizoma as well;thunberg fritillary bulb and cuttlefish bone both can increase mucus secretion to protect gastric mucosa

the former can also increase the nitric oxide (NO) production;Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma root extract can protect gastric mucosa by inducing heat shock protein 27 (HSP27);Astragali Radix can promote the expression of epidermal growth factor and its receptor

accelerate the repair gastric mucosa and improve the quality of ulcer healing. Optimizing the process and elucidating the mechanism of Xiaoyong Kuide Kang would further improve the therapeutic efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine on gastric ulcer.