Identification of a predictive biomarker for the beneficial effect of keishibukuryogan, a kampo (Japanese traditional) medicine, on patients with climacteric syndrome.

Keishibukuryogan (KBG; Guizhi-Fuling-Wan in Chinese) is one of the Kampo (Japanese traditional) medicines used to treat patients with climacteric syndrome. KBG can be used by patients who cannot undergo hormone replacement therapy due to a history of breast cancer. We evaluated whether cytosine-adenine (CA) repeat polymorphism of the estrogen receptor β gene can be a predictor of the beneficial effect of KBG on climacteric syndrome.

Four cases of panic disorder successfully treated with Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicines: Kami-shoyo-san and Hange-koboku-to.

Kampo medicines have been used to treat patients with psychogenic disorders from ancient times. In the present report the cases are described of four patients with panic disorder successfully treated with Kampo medicines. These four patients fulfilled the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria for panic disorder with agoraphobia.

Herbal medicine and false-positive results on lymphocyte transformation test.

In vitro mitogenic activity of 16 herbs and 3 Kampo (herbal medicine) formulae have been reported in experimental studies. It is not known how many herbs and Kampo formulae in total have mitogenic activity. Lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) is generally utilized to diagnose drug-induced liver injury.

A case of sleep choking syndrome improved by the Kampo extract of Hange-koboku-to.

A case of sleep choking syndrome with typical symptoms is presented. A 44-year-old Japanese male suffered from multiple episodes of choking, which suddenly appeared with fear of impending death about 30 min after falling asleep almost every night. Overnight polysomnography showed an apnea index of 0.