A traditional Chinese root acting less like a gentle botanical than a mild prescription drug. Strongest human evidence: slowing the scarring lung disease caused by inhaled stone dust. Joint relief in rheumatoid arthritis follows on weaker support; everything else rests on small studies or animal work. The largest hazard is a near-identically named plant that permanently destroys kidneys. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Alanine aminotransferase | 10–26 U/L (women), 10–33 U/L (men) | Earliest signal of reactive-metabolite liver injury |
| Aspartate aminotransferase | 10–26 U/L | Confirms a liver-cell pattern alongside alanine aminotransferase |
| Total bilirubin | 0.3–1.0 mg/dL | Detects impaired processing and bile-duct involvement |
| Gamma-glutamyl transferase | Under 25 U/L (women), under 35 U/L (men) | Cross-checks liver signal and reflects glutathione turnover |
| Estimated glomerular filtration rate | Above 90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Detects the kidney injury pattern seen with substituted material |
| Cystatin C | 0.6–1.0 mg/L | Muscle-independent confirmation of filtration |
| Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio | Under 10 mg/g | Detects glomerular leak before filtration rate falls |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein | Under 1.0 mg/L | Tracks the inflammatory outcome the joint trials measured |
| Erythrocyte sedimentation rate | Under 15 mm/h (women), under 10 mm/h (men) | Second inflammatory marker used across the arthritis trials |
| Seated blood pressure | 110–125 / 70–80 mmHg | Quantifies the calcium channel blocking effect |
| Forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second | Above 80% of predicted | Primary efficacy outcome where dust exposure is the indication |
| Carbon monoxide transfer factor | Above 80% of predicted | Detects gas-exchange loss earlier than airflow measures |
| Urine cytology | No atypical urothelial cells | Surveillance where prior aristolochic acid exposure is possible |
Cadence: Liver panel and blood pressure at 4 weeks, then every 3 months while dosing continues; kidney function and albumin excretion every 6 months; lung function and imaging at 6 and 12 months.