Successful treatment of restless legs syndrome accompanied by headaches for 30 years with herbal prescriptions containing Paeoniae Radix: A case report.

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that causes unpleasant symptoms in the legs when resting, which are relieved by movement. Pharmacotherapy is the standard treatment. However, current treatment provides only symptomatic relief and may result in adverse effects with long-term use.

Blood stasis syndrome in Japan and its molecular biological analysis.

Blood stasis syndrome is one of the pathological concepts of Oriental traditional medicine. In Oriental traditional medicine, blood is thought of as not only blood but also as a living component of the body. In fact, blood stasis syndrome is related to not just circulation disorders but dermatological and gynecological and other diseases.

Current research and future directions in pattern identification: Results of an international symposium.

A symposium on pattern identification (PI) was held at the Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM) on October 2, 2013, in Daejeon, South Korea. This symposium was convened to provide information on the current research in PI as well as suggest future research directions. The participants discussed the nature of PI, possible research questions, strategies and future international collaborations in pattern research.

The long-term effects of a kampo medicine, juzentaihoto, on maintenance of antibody titer in elderly people after influenza vaccination.

We have performed a broad-ranging analysis of the adjuvant effect of a Kampo medicine, juzentaihoto (JTT), on influenza vaccination in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. In this study, the enhancing effect of JTT on antibody titer after influenza vaccination was studied for 28 weeks in elderly people who were in the high-risk group for influenza infection. In total, 91 subjects over 65 years old were recruited from four long-term-care facilities located in Chiba, Gunma, and Toyama prefectures in Japan.

Effect of keishibukuryogan on endothelial function in patients with at least one component of the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome: a controlled clinical trial with crossover design.

We evaluated the effect of keishibukuryogan (KBG; Guizhi-Fuling-Wan), a traditional Japanese (Kampo) formula, on endothelial function assessed by reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry (Endo-PAT2000) in patients with metabolic syndrome-related factors by controlled clinical trial with crossover design. Ninety-two patients were assigned to group A (first KBG-treatment period, then control period; each lasting 4 weeks, with about one-year interval) or group B (first control, then KBG-treatment). In forty-nine (27, group A; 22, group B) patients completing all tests, the mean value of the natural logarithmic-scaled reactive hyperemia index (L_RHI) increased and those of serum nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA), malondialdehyde, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 decreased significantly during the KBG-treatment period, but not during the control period, and 4-week changes of L_RHI, NEFA, and malondialdehyde between the 2 periods showed significance.

Traditional Japanese formula kigikenchuto accelerates healing of pressure-loading skin ulcer in rats.

We evaluated the effect of kigikenchuto (KKT), a traditional Japanese formula, in a modified rat pressure-loading skin ulcer model. Rats were divided into three groups, KKT extract orally administered (250 or 500 mg/kg/day for 35 days) and control. KKT shortened the duration until healing.

Effect of Hachimijiogan against Renal Dysfunction and Involvement of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α in the Remnant Kidney Model.

In chronic renal failure, hypoxia of renal tissue is thought to be the common final pathway leading to end-stage renal failure. In this study the effects of hachimijiogan, a Kampo formula, were studied with respect to hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Using remnant kidney rats, we studied the effects of hachimijiogan on renal function in comparison with angiotensin II receptor blocker.

The traditional Japanese formula keishibukuryogan reduces liver injury and inflammation in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Kampo formula keishibukuryogan (KBG, Guizhifulingwan) is frequently used in traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine to treat several symptoms and manifests anti-inflammatory and scavenging effects. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common manifestation of the metabolic syndrome and has the potential to evolve to liver cirrhosis through chronic inflammation and steatohepatisis (NASH). We have recently reported the KBG significant effectiveness on liver injury in a NASH animal model that prompted us to prescribe to KBG (TJ-25).

Identification of candidate genes involved in endogenous protection mechanisms against acute pancreatitis in mice.

We surveyed changes of the gene expression profile in caerulein-exposed pancreas using Affymetrix GeneChip system (39,000 genes). Up-regulation of genes coding for claudin 4, claudin 7, F11 receptor, cadherin 1, integrin beta 4, syndecan 1, heat shock proteins b1/90aa1, Serpinb6a, Serpinb6b, Serpinb9, Bax, Bak1, calpain 2, calpain 5, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 alpha, S100 calcium-binding proteins A4/A10 were found in mouse pancreas exposed to caerulein for 12h. In contrast, the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 was down-regulated.

Keishibukuryogan reduces renal injury in the early stage of renal failure in the remnant kidney model.

The effects of keishibukuryogan on the early stage of progressive renal failure were examined in rats subjected to 5/6 nephrectomy. Keishibukuryogan, one of the traditional herbal formulations, was given orally at a dose of 1% (w/w) and 3% (w/w) in chow. Administration of keishibukuryogan was started at 1 week after 5/6 nephrectomy and was continued for 4 weeks.

A chinese herbal medicine, tokishakuyakusan, reduces the worsening of impairments and independence after stroke: a 1-year randomized, controlled trial.

In post-stroke patients, the recurrence of stroke and progression of impairments lead to a bedridden state and dementia. As for their treatments, only anti-hypertension and anti-coagulation therapies to prevent the recurrence of stroke are available. In Asia, post-stroke patients with impairments are often treated with herbal medicine.

A Proteomic Approach for the Diagnosis of 'Oketsu' (blood stasis), a Pathophysiologic Concept of Japanese Traditional (Kampo) Medicine.

'Oketsu' is a pathophysiologic concept in Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine, primarily denoting blood stasis/stagnant syndrome. Here we have explored plasma protein biomarkers and/or diagnostic algorithms for 'Oketsu'. Sixteen rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients were treated with keishibukuryogan (KBG), a representative Kampo medicine for improving 'Oketsu'.

Proteomic identification of haptoglobin as a stroke plasma biomarker in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats.

Aims: We investigated changes in the expression of plasma proteins in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP) to identify stroke biomarkers.

Main Methods And Key Findings: The present analysis using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS) demonstrated that three peaks at mass/charge ratios (m/z) of 9330, 9480 and 9700 decreased in intensity during the development and progression of hypertensive stroke in SHRSPs, but not in age-matched control SHR and Wistar rats. Administration of verapamil, an L-type calcium channel blocker which was effective for hypertension in SHRSP rats, prevented the decrease in plasma protein expression.

Evidence-based efficacy of Kampo formulas in a model of non alcoholic fatty liver.

Data on the efficacy of herbal compounds are often burdened by the lack of appropriate controls or a limited statistical power. Treatments to prevent the progression of non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to steatohepatitis (NASH) remain unsatisfactory. A total of 56 rabbits were arrayed into 7 groups fed with standard rabbit chow (SRC), SRC with 1% cholesterol, or each of the five experimental treatments (Kampo formulas 1% keishibukuryogan [KBG], 1% orengedokuto [OGT], and 1% shosaikoto [SST]; vitamin E [VE]; or pioglitazone [PG]) in a 1% cholesterol SRC.

Keishibukuryogan ameliorates glucose intolerance and hyperlipidemia in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats.

Keishibukuryogan, one of the traditional herbal formulations, is used clinically to improve blood circulation. In this study, we examined the effects of keishibukuryogan on glucose and lipids metabolism in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, an animal model of type 2 diabetes. Forty-five-week-old male OLETF rats were divided into three groups: diabetic control rats given a standard chow; diabetic rats given keishibukuryogan (3%, w/w in chow); diabetic rats given pioglitazone (0.

Chotosan enhances macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA expression in the ischemic rat brain and C6Bu-1 glioma cells.

Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) is a cytokine which has been recently reported to have a neuroprotective effect on ischemic rat brain. In this study, we investigated the effect of chotosan, an oriental medicine, which has been clinically demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of vascular dementia, on M-CSF gene expression in rats with permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (P2VO) in vivo and in a C6Bu-1 glioma cell line in vitro. The expression level of M-CSF mRNA in the cerebral cortices of P2VO rats was significantly higher than that in the cerebral cortices of sham-operated animals.

Identification of a predictive biomarker for the beneficial effect of a Kampo (Japanese traditional) medicine keishibukuryogan in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objectives: Kampo (Japanese traditional herbal) medicines are now ethically used in Japan as pharmaceutical grade prescription drugs. However, there are distinct groups of responders and non-responders to Kampo medicines. We searched for biomarker candidates to discriminate responders from non-responders to keishibukuryogan (KBG); one of the most frequently used Kampo medicines.

Effects of keishibukuryogan on vascular function in adjuvant-induced arthritis rats.

It is known that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) accelerates atherosclerosis. Further, the soluble form of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is known as a predictive marker of atherosclerosis in RA patients. We reported that keishibukuryogan, one of the Kampo formulas, improved articular symptoms and decreased soluble VCAM-1 in patients with RA.

Cinnamaldehyde induces endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant action on isolated rat aorta.

The vasorelaxant effect of cinnamaldehyde, one of the major oil components in Cinnamomi Cortex, was studied using isolated rat aorta. Cinnamaldehyde at final concentrations of 1 microM to 1 mM showed dose-dependent relaxation of the rat aorta contracted by treatment with prostaglandin F2alpha, norepinephrine or KCl. In addition, cinnamaldehyde relaxed prostaglandin F2alpha-precontracted aortic rings with endothelium and without endothelium, with the latter being significantly less sensitive than the former.

Protective effects of keishibukuryogan on the kidney of spontaneously diabetic WBN/Kob rats.

Keishibukuryogan, one of the traditional herbal formulations, is used clinically to improve blood circulation. It consists of the following five crude drugs: Cinnamomi Cortex, Poria, Moutan Cortex, Persicae Semen and Paeoniae Radix. In this study, the effects of keishibukuryogan against renal damage in spontaneously diabetic WBN/Kob rats were examined.

Astaxanthin ameliorates features of metabolic syndrome in SHR/NDmcr-cp.

Glucose and lipid metabolic parameters play crucial roles in metabolic syndrome and its major feature of insulin resistance. This study was designed to investigate whether dietary astaxanthin oil (ASX-O) has potential effects on metabolic syndrome features in an SHR/NDmcr-cp (cp/cp) rat model. Oral administration of ASX (50 mg/kg/day) for 22 weeks induced a significant reduction in arterial blood pressure in SHRcp.

Effect of d-pseudoephedrine on cough reflex and its mode of action in guinea pigs.

d-Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is one of the main ingredients of Ephedrae herba. Although PSE is widely applied for patients with a common cold and upper respiratory inflammation as a decongestant, the effects of PSE on cough have never been reported. In this study, we investigated the antitussive effects of intraperitoneal injection of PSE on the cough reflex induced by microinjection of citric acid into the larynx of guinea pigs.

Keishibukuryogan (gui-zhi-fu-ling-wan), a Kampo formula, decreases disease activity and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

An increasing death rate due to cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been reported. Keishibukuryogan (KBG) is a traditional Chinese/Japanese (Kampo) formula that has been administered to patients with blood stagnation, e.g.

Inhibitory effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe derived components on aldose reductase activity in vitro and in vivo.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) continues to be used as an important cooking spice and herbal medicine around the world. Scientific research has gradually verified the antidiabetic effects of ginger. Especially gingerols, which are the major components of ginger, are known to improve diabetes including the effect of enhancement against insulin-sensitivity.

Effects of eppikahangeto, a Kampo formula, and Ephedrae herba against citric acid-induced laryngeal cough in guinea pigs.

To evaluate the efficacy of three common antitussive Kampo formulas, eppikahangeto (EPP), bakumondoto (BAK), and shoseiryutogomakyokansekito (SGM), a new cough model of guinea pig was used, which could specifically induce a laryngeal cough by microinjection of citric acid solution into the larynx. Kampo extract was dissolved in water and the animals were given access ad libitum for 3 days, and then the number of coughs during 10 min was counted. EPP extract decreased the number of coughs dose-dependently (0.