| Theme |
Treatment of Gastrointestinal Disorders Using Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine : Present Status and Future Prospects |
| Title |
Rikkunshito for the Treatment of Cisplatin-induced Anorexia |
| Author |
Hiroshi Takeda |
Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hokkaido University Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Author |
Shuichi Muto |
Gastroenterology, Tomakomai City General Hospital |
| Author |
Shunsuke Ohnishi |
Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Rikkunshito is a kampo herbal medicine which is widely used in Japan for the treatment of the upper gastrointestinal symptoms associated with functional dyspepsia (FD), dyspeptic symptoms of postgastrointestinal surgery, or chemotherapy-induced dyspepsia experienced by cancer patients. Recently, some unique characteristics of rikkunshito have been uncovered. Oral administration of rikkunshito potentiates the orexigenic action of ghrelin through several different mechanisms. In addition, several lines of evidence obtained from both animal and human studies indicate that rikkunshito can be a promising therapeutic option for treatment of anorectic conditions including cisplatin-induced dyspepsia and anorexia. In this review, we will highlight what is known about the orexigenic effects of rikkunshito with a special focus on interactions with the ghrelin signaling system. |