Abstract
Therapeutic effects of a traditional medicine, Juzen-taiho-to (TJ-48) against experimental fungal infections in mice were investigated. Normal or cyclophosphamide-treated immunosuppressed mice (ICR, female) were challenged intravenously with Candida albicans and given TJ-48 orally once daily for 5 consecutive days, beginning 3hr after C. albicans inoculation. The treatment with TJ-48 inhibited the Candida growth in kidneys of the infected mice, and prolonged their life span in a dose dependent manner with a optimal daily dose of 2.0g/kg. This therapeutic regimen was more effective than a prophylactic regimen, and when combined with the chemotherapeutic agent, fluconazole, efficacy was significantly increased. TJ-48 was found to be similarly efficacious against experimental infection by Aspergillus fumigatus, though not by Cryptococcus neoformans.
