1.Kampo Formulas Containing Coicis Semen that are Effective in the Treatment of Verrucae' Supplement.
Kampo Medicine 1997;48(1):49-52
A report by the author entitled “Kampo formulas containing Coicis Semen that are Effective in the Treatment of Verrucae” was published in Volume 47 Number 1 of the Japanese Journal of Oriental Medicine. In this paper, the author notes the finding of a reference that supplements the above report. In ‘Yojuin Yamawaki Sensei Hokan, ’ written by Yamawaki Toyo the author found the following: “To control verrucae, boil 5 sen of Coicis Semen in 3 go of water. Drink or wash the affected area with 1 go of this use.” (This text was originally written in classical Chinese.) It is clear from this statement that Yamawaki Toyo used Coicis Semen for verrucae in a manner resembling folk medicine. Although the date of compilation of the text is not known, this treatment method had obviously been in use before the death of Yamawaki Toyo (1762).
The description of the use containing Coicis Semen appearing in the above text is more accurate than that found in ‘Yamato Honzo.’
The first description of a formula for Coicis Semen for the treatment of verrucae is found in ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which was edited by Yamada Genrin in his late teens after stealing formulas from various famous doctors. According to various medical texts, the name of Yamada Genrin was Ikyo. In ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which Yamada edited, his name was written using different Chinese characters, but also pronounced ‘Ikyo’, this was probably his original first name. The name ‘Ikyo’ with the characters used later is associated with the text ‘Baiso Yakugen.’
2.Kampo Formulas Containing Coicis Semen that are Effective in the Treatment of Verrucae' Supplement.
Kampo Medicine 1997;48(1):49-52
A report by the author entitled “Kampo formulas containing Coicis Semen that are Effective in the Treatment of Verrucae” was published in Volume 47 Number 1 of the Japanese Journal of Oriental Medicine. In this paper, the author notes the finding of a reference that supplements the above report. In ‘Yojuin Yamawaki Sensei Hokan, ’ written by Yamawaki Toyo the author found the following: “To control verrucae, boil 5 sen of Coicis Semen in 3 go of water. Drink or wash the affected area with 1 go of this use.” (This text was originally written in classical Chinese.) It is clear from this statement that Yamawaki Toyo used Coicis Semen for verrucae in a manner resembling folk medicine. Although the date of compilation of the text is not known, this treatment method had obviously been in use before the death of Yamawaki Toyo (1762).
The description of the use containing Coicis Semen appearing in the above text is more accurate than that found in ‘Yamato Honzo.’
The first description of a formula for Coicis Semen for the treatment of verrucae is found in ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which was edited by Yamada Genrin in his late teens after stealing formulas from various famous doctors. According to various medical texts, the name of Yamada Genrin was Ikyo. In ‘Meika Hosen, ’ which Yamada edited, his name was written using different Chinese characters, but also pronounced ‘Ikyo’, this was probably his original first name. The name ‘Ikyo’ with the characters used later is associated with the text ‘Baiso Yakugen.’
3.Pathogenesis of Influenza and Effects of Herbal Medicines on the Inhibition of Influenza Virus Replication
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):363-368
Influenza A virus infection causes acute respiratory syndrome and leads to sometimes lethal diseases includ ing pneumonia. Identifying host factors involved in pathogenesis is important for the prevention and treatment of influenza. Type I interferons (IFNs) are essential to activating antiviral responses against influenza A virus. We show that the viral polymerase complex inhibited IFNβ promoter activation. Moreover, PB 2 inhibited the transcription of endogenous IFNβ gene induced after influenza A virus infection. The viral polymerase is critical for regulating host anti-viral response through binding to IPS-1 and inhibition of IFNβ production.
We also demonstrated that Siva-1 is crucial for apoptosis induction by influenza A virus and is involved in its viral replication. Expression of Siva-1 enhanced apoptosis induction after influenza A virus infection and knockdown of Siva-1 expression strongly inhibited it. Furthermore, the replication of influenza A virus was significantly suppressed by Siva-1 knockdown.
Recently, we examined the inhibitory effects of some herbal medicines on influenza A virus replication. Ex tracts of gingyosan and maoto had inhibitory effects for the replication of influenza A viruses. We analyzed the effect of fractions of these extracts and analyzed the main ingredients with a HPLC system.
4.A Case of Advanced Biliary Tract Cancer Successfully Treated with Single-agent Gemcitabine Chemotherapy in Combination with Juzentaihoto
Takamasa NISHIUCHI ; Yuichi OKUTANI ; Yoshifumi YAMAGISHI ; Toshikazu FUJITA ; Teruki SHIMIZU ; Hiroshi SHIMIZU
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):369-377
We report the case of an 84-year-old woman with advanced biliary tract cancer and accompanying colonic invasion and hepatic metastasis, who was successfully treated with single-agent gemcitabine chemotherapy in combination with juzentaihoto (a traditional Japanese herbal medicine). Response to this combination chemo therapy was extremely good, and the patient's tumors disappeared. There have been no reports like our case until today. These findings suggest that combined treatment with juzentaihoto and gemcitabine is effective not only for reducing tumor size, decreasing the side effects of chemotherapy, and maintaining general condition but also for mediating immune antitumor activity.
5.A Case of Recurrent Vomiting with Pyloric Stenosis Successfully Treated with Goreisan
Ryukichi MATSUI ; Takuya YAMAGUCHI ; Shotai KOBAYASHI ; Atsushi NAGAI ; Shuhei YAMAGUCHI
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):378-383
We report a patient who was successfully treated with a herbal formulation of goreisan (Wu-ling-san) for recurrent vomiting associated with pyloric stenosis, with significant simultaneous improvement of congestive heart failure.
A 78-year-old woman was in a bedridden state after cerebral infarction and was being fed through a nasal tube. She often experience repeated vomiting and aspiration pneumonia. Cicatricial stenosis was found in the pyloric region and we performed an expansion operation with balloon endoscopy. However, symptoms did not improve and her heart failure worsened. Therefore, we administered goreisan. Urinary output volume increased, edematous changes gradually disappeared, and pleural effusion decreased. The stenosis-related lesion did not change, but the vomiting ceased, even after nasal tube feeding was resumed.
Goreisan is an herbal formula used to promote diuresis that is considered to correct water absorption in digestive organs. In this case, goreisan was effective for the improvement of many symptoms.
6.Effectiveness of Kampo Medicine for Behçet's Disease with Uveitis
Shogo YAMAMOTO ; Shoko FUJITOH
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):384-394
[Objectives] To investigate the long-term effect of Kampo medicine on the ocular manifestations of Behçet's disease based on 30-years of experience.
[Patients] The number of patients who consulted Yamamoto Eye Clinic on Kampo medicine over a 30-year period was 24, and we investigated and reviewed these patients.
[Results] Although 11 patients discontinued treatment within a few months and 2 patients left our clinic after a short time, we were able to continue Kampo treatment in 11 patients for more than 10 years, with the longest period being 26 years. Consequently, 8 patients recovered their visual acuity.
[Discussion] Our retrospective study indicates that continuous treatment using Kampo medicine reduces the frequency of uveitis attacks and disease activity. In addition, it may be possible to discontinue Kampo medicine if patients achieve and maintain a better condition despite there being several factors that deteriorate their condition. Our study also indicates the importance of more than 10-years follow up to evaluate the efficacy of any intervention for this chronic disease.
[Conclusions] Kampo medicine is effective for preventing the recurrence of uveitis in patients with Behçet's disease.
7.A Case of Hypertensive Retinopathy Successfully Treated with Meirouinkakikuka in the Postpartum Period
Yoshihiro NISHIDA ; Shinya KARAKIDA ; Hisashi NARAHARA ; Kazuhiro ORIBE
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):395-400
It is thought that meirouin was created by Toukaku Wada, originally. Although prescriptions were applied for ophthalmologic disease at first, such case reports have decreased recently. Here, we report that meirouinkakikuka was successful for serous retinal detachment complicated with an abnormal visual field during postpartum.
We present the case of a 34 year old Japanese woman. Tinnitus had appeared from 35 weeks of pregnancy. Blood pressure rose to 140/100 mmHg at 36 weeks of pregnancy, the patient was diagnosed with preeclampsia,and hospitalized. After hospitalization, blood pressure was rose further to 190/120 mmHg, and an emergency cesarean section was performed. On the 2 nd postpartum (post operation) day her field of view became yellowed and eyesight failure arose. She was diagnosed as hypertensive retinopathy and serous retinal detachment by an ophthalmologist. She stopped applying her eyewash treatment herself because she was feeling unwell. One week afterward, she desired Kampo treatments. Meirouinkakikuka was prescribed, the tinnitus disappeared in 2 weeks, furthermore, her retinal detachment was recovered from 4 weeks later. Thus we believe that Kampo treatments can be a viable alternative, as suggested by this case where application of an eyewash treatment was difficult.
8.A Case of Acute Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Exacerbation Successfully Treated with Saikokeishito Administration
Eiichiro ANAN ; Madoka ANAN ; Kazuhiro ORIBE
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):401-406
We report a case of acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation caused by bacterial pneumonia infection, which was successfully resolved using saikokeishito. An 86-year-old woman with COPD presented with fever. Chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) confirmed bacterial pneumonia and she was admitted. Antibiotic therapy was started, but it had to be discontinued shortly thereafter because the patient developed drug rash. Oral saikokeishito was administered, as an alternative medicine, after which the patient showed dynamic improvements in pneumonia, and other general complaints such as respiratory dysfunction, fever, delirium, and appetite loss.
Saikokeishito is known to trigger various biomedical effects such as stimulation of anti-inflammatory and antipsychotic functions and autoimmune regulation.
Although antibiotic therapy is, without doubt, the most efficient treatment for acute bacterial pneumonia, in cases where antibiotic treatment is not possible, Kampo therapy may be used as an alternative treatment method for improving the condition and other complaints.
In future, more sequential case reports showing the use of Kampo therapy in acute respiratory medicine would be necessary to establish conclusive evidence for the use of this therapy as an alternative treatment method.
9.Original Meaning of Concurrent Exogenous and Endogenous Factor Disease Pathology in Oriental Medicine
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):407-416
In oriental medicine, when an exopathogen enters the body, the inner spirits (内精) and the exopathogen conflict with each other. Disease occurs in this deficient condition of inner spirits. In most classical formulary, such as the Shanghanlun (傷寒論), the cause of disease is regarded as the external circumstance, such as the cold, the wind or warmth. Here, the authors surveyed the significance of exopathogens and endogenous factors in medical books such as the Shanghanlun, as well as the Jinkuiyaolue (金匱要略), the Suwen (素問), the Lingsue (霊枢) and the others, to obtain the results herein. In the original pathology of a disease concurrent with both an exogenous and an endogenous factor, there is conflict between well-regulated seasonal Qi (四時正気) and unregulated inner spirits. Previous to the development of internal mechanisms for disease causes,this concurrent pathology thinking is concerned significantly with the external world and Shenxien (神仙) thought. Furthermore ambiguities arise from various relationships between exogenous factors and endogenous factors.
10.On Ryokyu ARIMA, Tenmin NAMIKAWA's Mentor
Takanori MATSUOKA ; Hideki KURIBAYASHI ; Masashi BEPPU ; Hidetoshi YAMAGUCHI ; Hideyuki NAKATA ; Tamie ANAN ; Tsukasa FUEKI ; Kenju RAI ; Hidetoshi ITAKURA ; Koichiro TANAKA ; Yoshinari KONO ; Mikumo UEMATSU ; Kazuhiko NARA ; Keiko SERIZAWA ; Kenkichi OKADA ; Yusen IWAI ; Kazuhiro MAKIZUMI ; Oto MIURA ; Takao NAMIKI ; Tetsuo AKIBA
Kampo Medicine 2012;63(6):417-427
Tenmin NAMIKAWA (並河天民) thought the Shanghanlun (傷寒論) was an important text. He also taught his pupils the importance of prescribing Zhongjing ZHANG's (張仲景) medicines. Ryokyu ARIMA (有馬凉及) was a physician-teacher, who prescribed Chengqitang (承気湯) for the emperor without conferring with other doctors. His chengqitang formulary was derived from medical texts by Zhongjing ZHANG. Kyugo GODA (合田求吾) on the other hand, was a pupil of Ikkannsai MATSUBARA (松原一閑斎), who wrote in the Idokikigaki (医道聞書) : theKoho (古方) school started by Ryokyu ARIMA. He was a hero who was punished by the Goseiin (後西院) emperor. He taught Koho to Tenmin. This therefore reveals that Ryokyu ARIMA was a teacher who taught the importance of the Shanghanlun.