| [ Summary ] |
We reviewed accumulating scientific evidence of the physiological mechanism and clinical action of Daikenchuto. Use of traditional Japanese medicine, including Daikenchuto, has a relatively brief history of 500 years' clinical use. Since the past 30 years, the Japanese government officially has recognized herbal medicine as a valid form of treatment alongside typical Western medicines.
Recently, scientifically robust data have been accumulating on treatment with Daikenchuto through basic and clinical studies, including placebo-controlled double-blind studies for various gastrointestinal disorders, and absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion studies, previously conducted or ongoing in both Japan and the US. Clinical studies suggested that Daikenchuto is beneficial for treatment of patients with postoperative ileus. Basic studies indicated that its effect comprises a composite of numerous actions mediated by multiple compounds via multiple routes. With regard to mechanisms of action through enteric/sensory nerve stimulation, novel mechanisms that involve the TRPA1 channel and two pore domain potassium channels were recently reported. Daikenchuto compounds target these channels with and without absorption, both before and after metabolic activation by enteric flora, at different time-points, and possibly with synergism. |