Pharmacological characteristics of traditional medicine as curative 'Polypharmacy'

Abstract

Traditional medicine, or Kampo, with its history of millenniums of years, has been practiced on the basis of empirical knowledge, and not much of it has come through objective examination to prove its efficacy. On this account Kampo medicine is ironically referred as 'another EBM (experience based medicine)' from time to time. In recent years, however, Kampo medicines are undergoing the screening method of Western medicine, that is to say EBM (evidence based medicine) to have their efficacy approved. For this common examination standard of EBM, academic integration of Traditional Medicine to the system of modern medicine has proved to be possible.
From a pathopharmacological aspect, we have been investigating medical benefits Kampo in terms of 'polypharmacy' on airway clearance function. The study showed that anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, immunomodulatory and metabolic regulatory actions are common influences, and the base of all the actions is founded by restoration and activation of molecular and cellular functions mainly through DNA transcript regulation.
Adoption of means of translational research should provide objective backgrounds for efficacy of individual prescriptions and stimulate broader application and usage of traditional medicine. It will be passed on to future descendants especially as an indispensable remedy for chronic and obstinate disease which requires careful attention on QOL.
There still are difficult problems to be overcome, but shall continue forward with the basic investigation concentrated on the traits of Kampo medicines as regulatory objects of molecular function through DNA transcript regulation, which will propose leading materials for develoment of new medical products. In other words we see no reason to be hesitant about advancing the Fundamental Evidence Based Traditional Medicine (FEBTM).