Beneficial Effects of Rikkunshito, a Japanese Kampo Medicine, on Gastrointestinal Dysfunction and Anorexia in Combination with Western Drug: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background. Kampo medicines are traditional herbal medicines which have been approved for medicinal use by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare and are currently being used more and more, often in combination with Western drugs. Thus, the need for investigation of interactions between Kampo medicines and Western drugs is now widely recognized. Aim. To summarize the effects and drug interactions of rikkunshito, a Kampo medicine often prescribed for upper gastrointestinal disorders and anorexia. Methods. Animal and human studies were systematically reviewed to identify published data on rikkunshito. Results describing its effects were abstracted, with an emphasis on drug interactions. Results and Discussion. Rikkunshito ameliorates anorexia induced by anticancer drugs, improves quality of life scores, and can even prolong survival compared with monotherapy. Rikkunshito combined with proton pump inhibitor therapy is shown to be useful in the treatment of PPI-refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease patients and patients with gastrointestinal symptoms after endoscopic submucosal dissection. Rikkunshito reduces antidepressant-induced adverse events and improves quality of life without influencing antidepressant effects. Conclusions. Rikkunshito shows ameliorative effects on adverse reactions induced by various Western drugs and can achieve better results (e.g., anticancer drugs and proton pump inhibitor) without influencing the efficacy and bioavailability of Western drugs.

Preclinical Toxicological Investigation of Siddha Formulation Visha Sanjeevi by Acute and 28 Days Repeated Oral Toxicity Studies in Wistar Rats

“…These standardized operational procedures provoke exemplary way on careful monitoring of drug induced adverse events and also to formulate the risk-benefit ratio determination in clinical trial programme. 23 In acute toxicity study, there was no mortality up to a maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight of Vishasanjeevi after per oral administration. The changes in body weight and other Clinical signs like skin color change, fecal consistency, gait analysis, urine analysis, sensory responses, animal behavior abnormalities, neuromuscular coordination have been used as an indicator of adverse effect.…”

Effects of a Herbal Medicine, Yukgunja‐Tang, on Functional Dyspepsia Patients Classified by 3‐Dimensional Facial Measurement: A Study Protocol for Placebo‐Controlled, Double‐Blind, Randomized Trial

“…YGJT has widely been used to treat dyspeptic symptom of upper gastrointestinal diseases including FD in clinical practice in Korea, Japan, and China [8–10, 12]. A few animal and human studies have demonstrated that YGJT is effective on symptoms of FD.…”

“…Yukgunja-tang (YGJT; Rikkunshito in Kampo Medicine; Liu Jun Zi Tang in Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a herbal medicine comprising eight herbs; it is used to treat FD and relieve upper gastrointestinal symptoms, including dyspepsia, epigastric discomfort, and anorexia, in clinical practice in Korea, Japan, China, and other Asian areas [8–11]. In animal studies, YGJT improves relaxation of the gastric fundus, which maintains gastric storage capacity, and enhances gastric antral peristalsis, which facilitates stomach emptying.…”

Proliferative effect of Hachimijiogan, a Japanese herbal medicine, in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells

“…15 Because Kampo formulas are of high quality and contain standardized ingredients, recently, their pharmacologic actions have begun to be studied at the molecular level. [16][17][18][19][20] The underlying mechanisms of the proliferative effect of HJG on C2C12 cells and the active ingredient(s) for this effect are currently unknown. Because HJG consists of eight herbs and contains many ingredients, further studies are necessary to clarify the active components at the molecular level.…”