It has been reported that the effect of shoseiryuto, a traditional Japanese “Kampo” medicine, on allergic rhinitis depends on several mechanisms. Previously, we reported that shoseiryuto administered in an allergic rhinitis rat model, inhibited increases of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the nasal mucus, which in turn are involved in the exacerbation of rhinitis symptoms and allergic symptoms. In the present research, we looked into whether the secretion of SP and CGRP are directly inhibited by the administration of shoseiryuto.
Histamine solution 5µl (10 mg/ml) was instilled in both nostrils of healthy, male SD rats, thereby inducing allergic symptoms, and for the group to which shoseiryuto had been pre-administered, increase in the concentration of SP and CGRP in the nasal mucus was significantly inhibited. Moreover, upon investigating SP and CGRP production in the trigeminal ganglia by means of immunostaining, it was found to be similarly significantly inhibited. The above results indicate that shoseiryuto directly inhibits the secretion of SP and CGRP in the C-fibers of nasal mucosa.

View full abstract

Rikkunshito is comprised of 8 crude drugs and is used for the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunctions such as anorexia and heavy stomach feeling. These symptoms are often caused by delay in gastric emptying. Cisplatin is a representative cancer chemotherapeutic drug with severe adverse effects such as anorexia and nausea, that gives rise to a delay in gastric emptying. However, it is still unknown whether rikkunshito has effects on improving the delayed gastric emptying induced by cisplatin. In the present study, we examined the effects of rikkunshito (an Atractylodis rhizoma-containing formula) on cisplatin-induced delay in gastric emptying in the rat. Rikkunshito improved this. Among the crude drugs that comprise rikkunshito, Atractylodis rhizoma, Ginseng radix, Poria and Aurantii nobilis pericarpium individually improved the delay in gastric emptying, suggesting that they all contribute to the action of rikkunshito. Moreover, the effects of these 4 crude drugs in combinations were also examined, and as a result, tended to be stronger when Atractylodis rhizoma was included. On the other hand, when Atractylodis rhizoma was excluded from rikkunshito, the effects were weaker. Meanwhile, atractylenolide III, a specific chemical constituent of Atractylodis rhizoma, improved delay in gastric emptying in a manner similar to that of rikkunshito with Atractylodis rhizoma. These results, taken together, suggest that Atractylodis rhizoma likely contributes greatly to the improving effect of rikkunshito on cisplatin-induced delay in gastric emptying.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of hochuekkito for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) patients. We administered hochuekkito 7.5 g/day for 8 weeks to 47 patients with LOH whose AMS scale was more than 27. We assessed the patients' symptom change with the AMS, SHIM, SDS, BDI, and SF-36. We measured their endocrine profiles and levels of their cytokines. At the end of study, 31 of 47 patients were evaluable. No significant difference in subjective symptoms was seen with any questionnaire after 8 weeks hochuekkito administration. However, hochuekkito significantly increased free testosterone and decreased ACTH/cortisol levels. Thus we believe hochuekkito is beneficial for the treatment of LOH.

View full abstract

We describe four cases of menopausal symptoms with respiratory complaints successfully treated with saikokeishikankyoto. Case 1 was a 49-year-old female who became easily tired and often caught colds, as well as suffered from cough, hot flushes and insomnia. Case 2 was a 47-year-old female who became easily fatigued and irritated, and suffered from dry cough. Case 3 was a 51-year-old female, who became easily exhausted and suffered from nasal congestion and swelling of the gums. Case 4 was a 53-year-old female, who suffered from sensations of coldness and hot flushes, insomnia, sore throat and dry cough. Although saikokeishikankyoto has been classically applied for diverse symptoms, respiratory signs are associated with the most preferable outcome. Saikokeishikankyoto could be a suitable herbal medicine for menopausal patients with a weak constitution, who present with respiratory symptoms caused by coldness, qi deficiency and qi stagnation.

View full abstract

Here we report a case with fever, abdominal pain, frequent urination and urinary incontinence after vesicolysis, for bladder hematoma after transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval, that was successfully treated with Kampo medicine based on daily changing sho for acute disease.
A 44 year-old woman underwent transvaginal ultrasound-guided oocyte retrieval under venous anesthesia in the morning, in order to perform in vitro fertilization, and got home around noon. She had right lower quadrant abdominal pain, frequent urination, hemoptysis, urinary incontinence, fever and chill in that evening. Emergency room ultrasonography revealed a 45 mm size bladder hematoma. She was admitted and the vesicolysis was performed. Antibiotics and hemostatics were administered, and were followed by self-sustaining flow back into the bladder. Although she became afebrile on day 3, her right lower quadrant abdominal pain remained and fever returned on day 5. Daiobotanpito was prescribed because of the right lower quadrant abdominal pain, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, constipation and a floating pulse. Additionally, goreisan was prescribed because of her tooth mark and leg edema. On day 6, her abdominal pain had largely disappeared, and her frequent urination and urinary incontinence were also improved. However, perspiration with fever and soft stools then appeared. Keishito was prescribed because of the perspiration, a weak pulse and weak abdominal strength. Additionally choreito was prescribed for the frequent urination and urinary incontinence. She started sweating continuously with no fever. The frequent urination and urinary incontinence then also disappeared, and she was discharged on day 7.

View full abstract

We treated 5 patients with painful muscle cramp due to heat injury using Shakuyakukanzoto. According to their severities, 4 patients were classified with 1 st degree and 1 patient with 3rd degree heat injury. Painful muscle cramps in 4 patients with 1st degree were cured through a single dose of Shakuyakukanzoto. On the other hand, painful muscle cramps in 1 patient with 3rd degree was managed for 4 days after administration of Shakuyakukanzoto. No Shakuyakukanzoto complications were observed in any patient, nor contribution to rhabdomyolysis in 3 patients. Shakuyakukanzoto may be useful to prevent acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis by controlling painful muscle cramps in heat injury.

View full abstract

The number of senile eye cataract cases increases year by year. Recent developments in new operation techniques have brought more safety and ease i.e. ultrasonic phacoemulsication and lens replacement. However, some complications of these techniques result in troublesome outcomes. In this paper the authors report a female patient aged 74 years old who suffered from severe photophobia after cataract surgery, which was successfully treated with the Kampo formulation, ryokeikansoto. Such troublesome cases tend to be neglected to in medical journal publications when the background of the complaint is unknown.

View full abstract