The Influence of Traditional Herbal Medicine (Kampo) on Anti-cyclic Citrullinated Peptide Antibody Levels

Abstract

Abstract:We present three rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients successfully treated with traditional herbal medicine (THM: Kampo). The treatment with THM resulted in a decrease in RA disease activity such as DAS28, as well as in the serum levels of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies (anti-CCP) in 3 cases. These observations suggest that disease progression may be retarded in patients who respond to THM since anti-CCP is important for the prediction of disease severity and radiographic joint damage. Additionally, serial mesurements of anti-CCP titers may be a useful indicator in assessing this kind of treatment efficacy.

Evidence for Japanese oriental (Kampo) medicines: how to utilise the evidence of Kampo medicine in daily practice

“…Although various Kampo medicines such as kososan (a Kampo formula) are administered for psychosomatic disorders, such as depressive moods and panic disorder, no evidence has been obtained. Although the presence of responders to Kampo medicines among patients with RA has been reported 19 , no RCTs on RA have been conducted. Thus, it may be necessary to recognise the differences between Kampo treatment and EBM of Kampo medicines (Figure 3).…”