Table 3.

Chinese traditional patent medicines for treating dysmenorrhea caused by EM.

Chinese traditional patent; sample number (n)	Ingredients	Control; sample number (n)	Total clinical effect rate	Model used	Therapeutic effects and actions	Refs.
Guizhi Fuling capsules (GFC); n = 93	Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Mu Dan Pi, Tao Ren, Bai Shao	Gestrinone; n = 94		Human study	CA-125↓, CA-199↓	[52]
ELeng capsules (ELC); n = 25	San Leng, E Zhu, Dan Shen, Yu Jin, Bie Jia, Chi Shao, Ji Nei Jin, Zhe Bei Mu	Nemestran; n = 25	D: 84.00% -48% vs. 80%-36%	Human study	Alleviate dysmenorrhea CA-125↓, PRL↓	[57]
Dan Bie capsules (DBC)	Dang Shen, San Qi, San Leng, Tao Ren, Dang Gui, Bie Jia, Hai Zao, Du Zhong, Bai Zhu, Ban Zhi Lian, Gui Zhi	GFC		SD rat model	PGF2α↓, PGE2↓	[58, 59]
Sanjie analgesic capsules (SAC); n = 112	Long Xue Jue, San Qi, Zhe Bei Mu, Yi Yi Ren	Danazol; n = 46	T: 92.9% vs. 77.5%	Human study	Alleviate dysmenorrhea Shrink endometrioic lesion Recurrence rate↓	[63]
Dane Fukang paste (DFP); n = 75	Dan Shen, E Zhu, Chai Hu, San Qi, Chi Shao, Dang Gui, San Leng, Xiang Fu, Yuan Hu, Gan Cao	Gestrinone; n = 75	T: 95.45% vs. 81.82%	Human study	Alleviate dysmenorrhea	[66]

Note: T (Total effect rate) = number of effective cases/total number of cases; effective case refers to the patients or animal models whose signs and symptoms were improved after treatment. D: dysmenorrhea alleviation rate.