The outline of COE program at University of Toyama entitled “Advanced Approach to Personalized Medicine Based on Oriental Philosophy” was presented. This program consists of two parts, i.e., basic research group and clinical research group. On the basic researches, we performed field work for natural resources of medicinal plants both in Mongolia and China. And we revealed the differences of the chemical ingredients in rhubarb family. Furthermore, we developped a new DNA microarray to detect the panax ginseng family. In this paper, we also reported that the chemical ingredients of medicinal herbs convert new substances by the action of intestinal bacterias. In the clinical research group, we revealed that the characteristic protein pattern of “blood stagnant (Oketsu) syndrome” in Kampo medicine by means of protein chip array system. We showed the result of the midway evaluation by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

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Some thirty years ago, the popularity of Kampo medicines began to increase, as they began to be recognized as ethical drugs. Three decades on, however, many doctors still do not appreciate oriental medicine methodology. Some medical professionals, in fact, have no knowledge of oriental medicines at all. And many clinicians today are not offered the opportunity to learn more about the worth of these treatments.
Kampo treatments are an important pillar of oriental medicine, and should be appreciated as such. Presently, however, there is much demand to integrate them with western medicine. It is important for clinicians to know historically how the present situation came about, to give them a better appreciation of the worth in employing Kampo medicines.

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Shan Han Lun is an ancient Chinese medical book, that is written the acupoints meridian route. The acupoints meridian route is the functional connection route between acupoints Kampo medicine world in Japan has been ignored the exist of the meridian route, because the route is invisible. But if we make out the functional route of the autonomous nerve, we can understand Shan Han Lun sentence well. In addition, from a situation of acupuncture moxibustion treatment, that is important of a point of autonomous nerve. In paticular, the important acupoints is the “well” point secrete adrenalin, the “spring” point secrete IFNγ, the “stream” point secrete PGE 2, et all. It is important that I understand the work to the autonomous nerve as the acupuncture treatment.

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The diagnostic criteria for oketsu syndrome which was proposed by K. Terasawa et al. High scores in paranavel resistance and tenderness was characteristic in it. It's evidence was obtained by that blood viscosities of oketsu patients increased than ones of non-oketsu patients. The numbness of seven patients with cerebrovascular accidents in fourteen patients were improved following the four weeks of administration of keishibukuryogan. In this study we could also recognize improvement of intra-vascular erythrocyte aggregation in their conjunctival microcirculation by using the video-microscopic system. These studies had been clarifying that oketsu state might be accompanied to microcirculatory distubance and kampo prescriptions treated for oketsu syndrome could improve it. Important point in using these prescriptions under the traditional standard is to check kyojitsu (robust or asthenia), face color (red or pale) and constipation/or not. I emphasized that role of checking kyojitsu might be bigger in prevention from the adverse effects than in searching drug to treat patient's illness.

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Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) revolves around the philosophical principles of Yin and Yang, and the Five Elements.
The process of diagnosing, then treating with TCM, is called Bensho-Ronti (a traditional logic-based mythology). Specifically, it means diagnosing the patient (Bensho) using four diagnostic procedures, called Shishin, then formulating and applying therapies (Ronti) which correspond to the diagnosis. Herein, we survey the flow of this TCM.

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In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) therapy for subfertile couples has become widespread. However, it has been reported that high frequency uterine contractions at the time of embryo transfer influence adversely IVF-ET outcome. This article focuses on the methods of administration of shakuyakukanzoto combined with ET for subfertile women. 186 patients who underwent IVF-ET were recruited. 94 women undergoing IVF were randomly assigned to ET with shakuyakukanzoto for 4 days or 92 with no treatment. Background characteristics (age, number of embryo transferred, quality, and luteal function) were similar in the two groups. Pregnancy rate was 33.0% in the shakuyakukanzoto group as compared with 20.7% in the nontreated group. The increased pregnancy rate with shakuyakukanzoto compared with no treated was significant. However, the precise mechanism to explain for the results of this investigation remains to be unclear. Therefore, further research might be necessary to evaluate the effect of shakuyakukanzoto, at the time of ET.

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Hangekobokuto, on the basis of Jin-kui-yao-lue, has been used to treat acute and chronic gastric disease, psychiatric disorders, abnormal sensation in the throat, and edema which gives the feeling of a small food particle obstructing the throat. We experienced 2 cases involving a sense of incongruity in the interscapular region (pain and/or stiffness), which were successfully treated with hangekobokuto extract.
On the basis of these first cases, we investigated the efficacy of hangekobokuto extract in 15 patients having both “ki-utsu” and “suitai”, and a sense of incongruity (pain and/or stiffness) in the interscapular region, without the throat-obstructive feeling of a small in-situ food particle.
Improvements in complaints were observed in all patients, with a reduction or disappearance of their sense of incongruity in the interscapular region. Thus, it is possible that hangekobokuto could be widely applicable where symptoms of tenderness or a sense of incongruity in the interscapular region occur (especially the sides of the spinous process of thoracic vertebrae 4-7), in addition to the previously documented indications (heart burn, epigastric discomfort and abdominal fullness).

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We encountered a patient with intractable panic disorder who responded extremely well to Ryukotsuto, a Kampo preparation. Beginning in March 2003, a 55-year-old female began to lose vigor and concentration, while developing palpitations and experiencing a rise in blood pressure (systolic pressure≥190mmHg) accompanied by sudden anxiety. When these symptoms became intense, she was brought to a hospital by ambulance. Although close examination revealed no abnormalities, on clinical diagnosis, however, autonomic imbalance was recognized. Despite treatment with antidepressants and minor tranquilizers, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), no improvement was observed. A series of medicinal Kampo preparations, prescribed one after another, also had no effect. For further treatment, she was referred to our hospital on July 22, 2005. At the first consultation, a diagnosis of panic disorder was made, according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Hon-Ton disease was suspected based on clinical findings, and Ryokeikansoto was prescribed as a decoction. However, no positive effects were observed after 1 week, while marked incompetence, forgetfulness, and depression were noted. Therefore, based on the results of a self-rating depression scale (SDS), a profile of mood states (POMS), and autonomic function tests, such as pupillary dynamics at the first consultation, panic disorder accompanied by extreme tension with depression was diagnosed. Consequently, her Kampo preparation was changed to Ryukotsuto. As a result, symptoms virtually disappeared and all western drugs were discontinued. Psychological tests, autonomic function tests, and her diagnostic scores for conditions of Ki, Ketsu, and Sui also improved. We conclude that Ryukotsuto may be an effective treatment for panic disorder accompanied by depression.

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We report two cases of numbness and pain of neuropathy due to ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody)-associated vasculitis successfully treated with Ogikeishigomotsuto. The first case was a 57-year-old female who complained of high fever, painful skin eruptions of the lower limbs, and proteinuria. Although the severe pain was reduced with steroid therapy, neuropathy-related numbness and pain remained widespread in her lower limbs. After we prescribed Ogikeishigomotsuto, most of her pain disappeared while her degree of numbness diminished by almost half in two weeks. In addition, her steroid therapy could be tapered off without adverse effect. The second case was an 82-year-old female with fever and myalgia. Although myalgia of the upper arm disappeared with steroid treatment, walking became difficult due to numbness from the lower legs, to the soles of her feet. With Ogikeishigomotsuto administration, she became better able to walk because her legs had warmed up, and the range of her numbness had decreased. These cases suggest that Ogikeishigomotsuto may be effective against numbness and neuropathic pain due to ANCA-associated vasculitis.

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