RESUMEN
Kai-Xin-San (KXS) is a well-known formula that was first recorded in an ancient Chinese book "Important Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergency" by Si-miao Sun from the Tang Dynasty. KXS is composed of Panax ginseng, Poria cocos, Polygala tenuifolia, and Acorus tatarinowii at a ratio of 3:3:2:2. The material basis of the pharmacological action of KXS is mainly related to ginsenosides, polygala saponins, polygala oligosaccharide esters, and polygalactone. However, the active components of P. tenuifolia and A. tatarinowii are less studied, and the research scope is limited. The pharmacological researches of KXS are mainly focused on antidepressant effect, antisenile dementia, improving learning and memory ability, antifatigue, and sedation. The mechanisms involved include nervous system, immune system and endocrine system. The material basis, pharmacological effects and known mechanisms of KXS are systematically described in this paper in order to provide some ideas for the clinical application of KXS in the future.