Effect of daikenchuto (TU-100) on gastrointestinal and colonic transit in humans

Abstract

Daikenchuto (TU-100) is a traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine used to treat postoperative ileus. TU-100 dose dependently increases gastrointestinal (GI) motility by modulating cholinergic and serotonergic mechanisms in animal studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered TU-100 on GI and colonic transit and bowel function in healthy humans. In a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-response study, 60 healthy subjects were randomly assigned to placebo or TU-100 2.5 g or 5 g tid ingested immediately before meals for 5 consecutive days. We measured GI and colonic transit by validated scintigraphy and stool frequency and consistency by daily diaries of bowel function. There were overall treatment effects on colonic filling at 6 h without any significant differences between each dose of TU-100 and placebo. There tended to be overall treatment effects on ascending colon (AC) emptying half-time; the TU-100 (7.5 g/day) treatment significantly accelerated AC emptying compared with placebo. There were numerically higher values of GC24 (which reflect overall colonic transit) with both doses of TU-100, but these changes were not statistically significant. There were no significant overall treatment effects on gastric emptying or stool frequency and consistency. One subject, who received 7.5 g/day of TU-100, had elevated creatine phosphokinase following the study. TU-100 (7.5 g/day) significantly accelerated AC emptying. Further randomized controlled trials in patients with functional constipation or irritable bowel syndrome with constipation are warranted to evaluate the clinical efficacy of TU-100 in these disorders.

Daikenchuto (TU‐100) shapes gut microbiota architecture and increases the production of ginsenoside metabolite compound K

“…Several double blind placebo‐controlled trials on the patients with postoperative ileus, Crohn's disease, and irritable bowel syndrome are currently underway in the United States and Japan (Manabe et al. 2010; Iturrino et al. 2013; Okada et al.…”

“…has shown a significant enhancement of colonic emptying in healthy volunteers (Manabe et al. 2010), the efficacy of TU‐100 in GI disease patients is presently being established. TU‐100 is an extract powder prepared from a mixture of processed ginger, Japanese pepper ( Zanthoxilum fruit), and P. ginseng .…”

Intragastric Dai-Kenchu-To, a Japanese Herbal Medicine, Stimulates Colonic Motility via Transient Receptor Potential Cation Channel Subfamily V Member 1 in Dogs

“…The effects of DKT to stimulate colonic motor activity are not in conflict with previous reports in humans, mice, rats and dogs. In normal healthy volunteers, oral DKT has been shown to accelerate transit through the ascending colonic as measured by scintigraphy (Manabe et al 2010). In mice, DKT reversed the delay in intestinal transit induced by chlorpromazine in part by cholinergic receptors (Satoh et al 2003).…”

Perioperative Administration of Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine Daikenchuto Relieves Postoperative Ileus in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…Daikenchuto (DKT) is a well-known traditional Japanese herbal (kampo) medicine for improvement of gastrointestinal (GI) function (1)(2)(3)(4). DKT extract powder is manufactured from an aqueous extract containing 2.2% Japanese pepper, 5.6% processed ginger, 3.3% ginseng radix, and 88.9% maltose syrup powder derived from rice (Tsumura & Co., Tokyo, Japan) (3).…”