Interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown rapidly, fueled by Internet marketing, dissatisfaction with mainstream medicine, and the desire of patients to be actively involved in their own health care. CAM products in cancer medicine (herbs and other natural products, such as shark cartilage, mushrooms, and so on) are widely available in Japan as well as in western countries. With little reliable information and few clinical trials to assess the efficacy of such products, there is a great need for public and professional education regarding this subject.

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It is well known all over the world that the randomized controlled trial (RCT), is the only study design for experiments involving human subjects that can create evidence of the highest quality regarding the efficacy and safety of a new treatment. In Japan, however, most clinical researchers have shown no interest in RCT and thus the number of good RCTs is quite small. Although the recent development of evidence-based medicine has played a role in promoting RCT among clinical researchers, the number of researchers who can understand what an RCT is, design one properly and analyze data appropriately is also quite small. This situation is also completely applicable to the world of complementary and alternative medicine. In this paper, we shall introduce the reader to the concepts behind RCT and a statistical way of thinking that is indispensable for properly conducting RCT to glean scientific evidence of the efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative medicine.

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It is generally accepted that moderate physical activity can improve immune functions and potentially reduce the risk of developing infectious diseases and cancer. There is accumulating evidence to show that moderate physical activity can enhance the activities of T cells, natural killer cells and macrophages, cytokine productivity and serum immunoglobulin (Ig) G and salivary IgA levels. In contrast, however, exhaustive exercise causes the systemic release of immunosuppressive stress hormones and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and temporarily causes a decrease in circulating lymphocyte counts and the reduction in activities of T cells and natural killer cells and salivary IgA levels. Consequently, these negative alterations in immune function and cytokine imbalance may enhance host susceptibility to infections and promote allergic disposition. Although exercise-induced mobilization and activation of phagocytic cells such as neutrophils and monocytes can result in muscular, vascular and systemic inflammation and oxidative stress due to the production of reactive oxygen species, these deleterious responses may be attenuated by the appropriate use of antioxidants and nutritional supplements. This review presents the findings from recent studies in the field of exercise immunology, and offers some insight into how these findings may be applied in the broad realm of preventive, complementary and alternative medicine.

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This review deals with the role of micronutrients, i.e. vitamins and minerals, in alternative medicine. The following two conditions are important when considering vitamins and minerals as tools for alternative medicine: (1) The majority of Japanese consume less than the dietary requirement of vitamins and essential minerals. A national nutrition survey in 2001 showed that vitamins B ₁, B₆, C, and E, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and copper could be included in this category. (2) Micronutrients have a specific pharmacological effect that is independent of their nutritional function. Vitamins A, D, E, K, B₁, B₁₂, and C, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, lithium and vanadium are included in this category. In addition, vitamin-like active substances may be used as an alternative medicine for their pharmacologic actions. The function and role of each micronutrient in alternative medicine is discussed.

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Medical aromatherapy, a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to cure diseases or to diminish symptoms by using essential oils, is widely applied to the areas of nursing or medical care. Since the varied pharmacological effects of essential oils are anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, sedative and analgesic, medical aromatherapy is used for the treatment of gynecological and obstetrical disorders, skin troubles, upper respiratory infections and psychosomatic diseases, and for pain control and stress management. The methods of aromatherapy include inhalation, oral administration, aromatic bathing and massage. Massage is most effective in inducing relaxation. Because aromatherapy is only complementary to mainstream medicine, the combination of aromatherapy with western medicine and other CAM therapies can realize an ideal integrative medicine.

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All four Traditional Medicines of China, India, Tibet and Islamic countries have skillful and holistic approaches to mental, spiritual and physical health. Although they are ancient, they have the potential of becoming models for future life science.

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Music therapy may be described as psychotherapy using music. Through music, the therapist shares something with a patient that can not be expressed in words, thus helping the patient progress while increasing the power of self healing and improving the quality of life. This is generally the case in artistically centered therapy. In this paper, I survey the present status, history, forms and objectives of music therapy in Japan, presenting the latest research on the effectiveness of music therapy for people with dementia and terminal patients, and describing the methods of music therapy in these areas.

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The growing knowledge of cancer immunology during the past 20 years has led to the current implementation of immunotherapy. Immuno-cell therapy, in which ex vivo processed T lymphocytes and dendritic cells are used as agents, has developed and spread and is now accepted as a common treatment with the identification of a number of cancer peptide antigens. The response rate to immuno-cell therapy is reported to be around 10-20%. Some clinical studies have reported that immuno-cell therapy as a postoperative adjuvant therapy improved survival rates. This paper outlines the historic background and the current medical scene of immuno-cell therapy.

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This study aimed at defining the anti-allergic effects of Acanthopanax senticosus Root Extract (EUE) and Perilla frutescens Seed Extract (OSE) used alone or in combination, with the following results. (1) In the histamine release test, histamine release was significantly lower in both EUE and OSE groups than in the control group (p<0.01). EUE combined with OSE at 5:1 also showed a stronger inhibitory effect against histamine release than when used separately. (2) In the PCA test, oral administration of EUE for 14 days either alone or in combination with OSE resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of pigment leak as compared with the control group (p<0.01). In addition, although the beneficial effect of EUE combined with OSE was no greater than that obtained by EUE alone, it was definitely greater than by DSCG (Intarl inhalant solution). (3) An investigation of the effect of EUE against pigment leak induced by histamine and serotonin showed a dose-dependent inhibitory tendency (not statistically significant). In conclusion, EUE and OSE might have anti-allergic effects.

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In Japan, the number of newly created biotechnology start-ups has increased dramatically since 1999. It is expected that more than ten bio venture firms will achieve initial public offering (IPO) status toward the end of 2004. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) start-ups are included in those IPO candidates. Also, the number of newly created CAM start-ups is expected to rise over the next few years, and their presence in the market will strengthen. It is significant to understand the nature of business in the CAM area in order to manage CAM start-ups successfully. Especially, the importance of creating alliances with outside parties for CAM start-ups is highlighted and analyzed in this paper.

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