Yokukansan Suppresses Gastric Hypersensitivity and Eosinophil-associated Microinflammation in Rats With Functional Dyspepsia
- Author:
Shaoqi DUAN
1
;
Nobuko IMAMURA
;
Takashi KONDO
;
Hirosato KANDA
;
Yoko KOGURE
;
Takuya OKUGAWA
;
Masashi FUKUSHIMA
;
Toshihiko TOMITA
;
Tadayuki OSHIMA
;
Hirokazu FUKUI
;
Koichi NOGUCHI
;
Yi DAI
;
Hiroto MIWA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2022;28(2):255-264
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background/Aims:Herbal medicine is an important complementary therapy for functional dyspepsia (FD). However, its effect against gastric hypersensitivity in patients with FD has rarely been evaluated. Yokukansan (YKS), a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, is effective against neuropathic and inflammatory pain. This study aims to use a maternal separation (MS) stress-induced FD model to investigate the effects of YKS against gastric hypersensitivity, gastric motility, and duodenal micro-inflammation.
Methods:The MS stress model was established by separating newborn Sprague-Dawley rats from their mothers for 2 hours a day from postnatal days 1 to 10. At the age of 7-8 weeks, the rats were treated with YKS at a dose of 5 mL/kg (1 g/kg) for 7 consecutive days. AfterYKS treatment, electromyographic activity in the acromiotrapezius muscle by gastric distention and the gastric-emptying rate were assessed. Immunohistochemical analysis of eosinophils in the duodenum and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase(p-ERK) 1/2 in the spinal cord was performed.
Results:YKS treatment suppressed MS stress-induced gastric hypersensitivity and decreased the elevated levels of p-ERK1/2 in the spinal cord.In the gastroduodenal tract, YKS inhibited eosinophil-associated micro-inflammation but did not improve gastric dysmotility.
Conclusions:YKS treatment improved gastric hypersensitivity by alleviating eosinophil-associated micro-inflammation in the gastroduodenal tract.This treatment may be considered an effective therapeutic option for epigastric pain and micro-inflammation in patients with FD.
