A Pharmacologic Study on the Mechanism of Action of Kakkon-to: Body Temperature Elevation and Phagocytic Activation of Macrophages in Dogs

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that ingestion of Kakkon-to not only increases the body temperature but also enhances the phagocytic activity of macrophages, an in vivo defense mechanism, suggesting that Kakkon-to contributes to the suppression of multiplication of common cold viruses and influenza viruses, which consequently results in improvement of various symptoms during infection with common cold viruses.

Application of bioactivity database of Chinese herbal medicine on the therapeutic prediction, drug development, and safety evaluation

“…It has been shown that Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang inhibits influenza virus and ganciclovir-resistant human cytomegalovirus through stimulation of mucosal immune system and induction of interferon-␤, respectively (Nagai and Yamada, 1998;Murayama et al, 2006). Moreover, Ge-Gen-Tang suppresses the replication of influenza viruses by increasing body temperature, enhancing the phagocytic activity of macrophages, and increasing interleukin-12 level (Kurokawa et al, 2002;Muraoka et al, 2004). All formulae upregulated the MHC-I antigen presentation pathway, suggesting that these formulae might exhibit anti-viral and anti-cancer effects through MHC-I pathway.…”

Effect of Shin’iseihaito (Xinyiqingfeitang) on Acute Streptococcus pneumoniae Murine Sinusitis via Macrophage Activation

“…Juzentaihoto, one of Kampo formulae, upregulated the macrophage phagocytosis [ 28 ] and enhanced IL-12 production by modulating Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathways in murine peritoneal exudate macrophages [ 29 ]. Ingestion of Kakkonto, another Kampo formula, not only increased the body temperature but also enhanced the phagocytic activity of macrophages, which was an in vivo defence mechanism [ 30 ]. Although Kampo medicines have immunomodulating effect such as the activation of macrophage [ 20 ], these mechanisms in detail have been unknown.…”

Pruni Cortex Extract Accelerates Wound Healing in a Mouse Model of Atopic Dermatitis

“…Such physiologically normalizing effects are often observed during the clinical use of Chinese herbal medicines. For example, the medicine Kakkonto, which is usually prescribed for the common cold, is known to promote healing through the induction of fever, instead of reducing fever through the induction of chills [19]. Taken together, the observations of Chinese herbal medicines in clinical practice and experimental research have indicated that such medicines usually do not strongly inhibit or promote particular biological processes, but rather subtly accelerate the inherent wound healing ability of the individual.…”