Yokukansan (Kampo medicinal formula) prevents the development of morphine tolerance by inhibiting the secretion of orexin A

Successful treatment with traditional Japanese medicine (kampo medicine) Yokukansan as a migraine prophylactic drug: A case report

RATIONALE

The use of anti-CGRP antibody drugs as migraine preventive drugs is increasing worldwide, but there are still a certain number of cases where antibody drugs are ineffective or cannot be used due to high prices. Conventional prophylactic drugs or traditional Japanese medicine (kampo medicine) are still often used in such cases. However, to date, only limited evidence supports the efficacy of kampo medicine for headaches because these treatments have been used primarily empirically and traditionally. However, in recent years studies have begun to be published that describe the efficacy of kampo medicine for various types of headache. Here, we report the case of a patient who achieved a marked reduction in migraine frequency and severity by prophylactic therapy with the kampo drug yokukansan (TSUMURA Yokukansan Extract Granules).

PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSES

The patient was a 50-year-old woman. She began to experience headaches around high school age and was diagnosed with migraine without aura at 42 years of age.

INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES

She started prophylactic therapy with amitriptyline and topiramate and this treatment reduced the frequency of migraines for several years. However, the frequency began to increase again around 47 years, which is when she presented at our hospital. We achieved a temporary reduction in migraine frequency by adjusting the dose of drugs in her prophylactic therapy regimen, but the frequency increased again around age 49. We then tried monotherapy with the kampo medicine yokukansan, and this markedly reduced migraine frequency and severity over the following year. This therapy has remained effective to date.

LESSONS

We speculate that, in this case, migraine without aura was improved by prophylactic therapy with yokukansan due to its action on the glutamatergic system or serotonin system through suppression of orexin-A secretion or its anti-inflammatory effects as reported in previous animal studies. Yokukansan could be a usable kampo medicine for migraine prophylaxis in countries all over the world and should be investigated in a large clinical trial as soon as possible.

Cnidium officinale Makino: Phytology, Phytochemistry, Toxicology, Pharmacology and Prescriptions (1967-2023)

Cnidium officinale Makino (COM), a perennial herbaceous plant in the Apiaceous family, widely distribute in Eastern Asia and Asia-Temperate. It has a long history application as a traditional medicine for invigorating the blood and removing blood stasis, and also has been employed to diet, pesticide, herbal bathing materials, the cosmetic and skin care industry. However, there has been no associated review of literature in the past half a century (1967-2023). By searching the international authoritative databases and collecting 229 literatures closely related to COM, herewith a comprehensive and systematic review was conducted. The phytology includes plant distribution and botanical characteristics. The phytochemistry covers 8 major categories, 208 compounds in total, and the quantitative determination of 14 monomer compounds, total polyphenols and total flavonoids. The clinical trial in pregnant women and toxic experiments in mice, the pharmacology of 7 aspects and 82 frequently used prescriptions are summarized. It is expected that this paper will provide forward-looking scientific thinking and literature support for the further modern research, development and utilization of COM.

Internal and external modulation factors of the orexin system (REVIEW)

Orexin-A and -B (identical to hypocretin-1 and -2) are neuropeptides synthesized in the lateral hypothalamus and perifornical area, and orexin neurons project their axon terminals broadly throughout the entire central nervous system (CNS). The activity of orexins is mediated by two specific G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), termed orexin type1 receptor (OX1R) and orexin type2 receptor (OX2R). The orexin system plays a relevant role in various physiological functions, including arousal, feeding, reward, and thermogenesis, and is key to human health. Orexin neurons receive various signals related to environmental, physiological, and emotional stimuli. Previous studies have reported that several neurotransmitters and neuromodulators influence the activation or inhibition of orexin neuron activity. In this review, we summarize the modulating factors of orexin neurons in the sleep/wake rhythm and feeding behavior, particularly in the context of the modulation of appetite, body fluids, and circadian signaling. We also describe the effects of life activity, behavior, and diet on the orexin system. Some studies have observed phenomena that have been verified in animal experiments, revealing the detailed mechanism and neural pathway, while their applications to humans is expected in future research.

Blockade of orexin receptor type-1 by SB-334867 and activation of orexin receptor type-2 attenuate morphine tolerance in rats

Purpose

The interaction of orexinergic neurons with the opioidergic system and their effects on morphine analgesia and tolerance have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of the orexin-1 and orexin-2 receptor (OX1R and OX2R) agonist and antagonist on morphine analgesia and tolerance in rats.

Material and methods

A total of 90 Wistar albino male rats weighing 180–220 g were used in the experiments. To induce morphine tolerance, rats were injected with a single dose of morphine (50 mg kg−1, s.c.) for 3 days. Morphine tolerance was assessed on day 4 in randomly selected rats by analgesia tests. In order to evaluate morphine tolerance situation, orexin-A, SB-334867, orexin-B and TCS OX2 29 were administered together with morphine for 3 days. The analgesic effects of orexin-A (10 μg kg−1), OXR1 antagonist SB-334867 (10 mg kg−1), OXR2 agonist orexin-B (15 μg kg−1), OXR2 antagonist TCS OX2 29 (0.5 mg kg−1) and morphine (5 mg kg−1) were measured at 15 or 30-min intervals by tail-flick and hot-plate antinociceptive tests.

Results

The results suggested that the combination of orexin-1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 and orexin-B with morphine significantly increased the analgesic effect compared to morphine-tolerant rats. In addition, administration of orexin-A and -B alone showed significant analgesic effects compared to the saline group. However, co-administration of orexin-A and -B with morphine did not increase the analgesic efficacy of morphine.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrated that co-administration of SB-334867 and orexin-B with morphine attenuated morphine tolerance. Further studies are needed to elucidate the details of the interaction between orexin receptors and the opioidergic system.

Yokukansan Inhibits the Development of Morphine Tolerance by Regulating Presynaptic Proteins in DRG Neurons

Opioids, such as morphine, are used in clinical settings for the management of acute and chronic pain. However, long-term use of morphine leads to antinociceptive tolerance and hypersensitivity. The cellular and molecular mechanisms of morphine tolerance seem to be quite complex, with suggestions including internalization of the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), neuroinflammation with activation of microglia and astrocytes, and changes in synaptic function in the central nervous system. Yokukansan (YKS), a traditional Kampo medicine consisting of seven herbs, has been used to treat emotional instability, neurosis, and insomnia. Interestingly, recent studies have begun to reveal the inhibitory effect of YKS on the development of morphine tolerance. In the present study, we determined the effect of YKS on morphine tolerance formation and its mechanisms in a rat model, focusing on the synapses between primary sensory neurons and spinal dorsal horn secondary neurons. We found that morphine tolerance formation was significantly inhibited by YKS (0.3 or 1.0 g/kg/day) preadministration for 7 days. Repeated administration of morphine (10 mg/kg/day) increased the expression of presynaptic proteins, including synaptotagmin I, in the spinal cord, which was suppressed by YKS. Furthermore, these changes in presynaptic protein expression were more pronounced at isolectin B4 (IB4)-positive excitatory synapses around the lamina II of the dorsal horn. These results suggest that YKS suppresses the development of morphine tolerance by inhibiting the enhancement of presynaptic function of dorsal root ganglia neurons projecting to spinal dorsal horn neurons caused by continuous morphine administration.

Kampo Formulae for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain ∼ Especially the Mechanism of Action of Yokukansan ∼

Kampo medicine has been practiced as traditional medicine (TM) in Japan. Kampo medicine uses Kampo formulae that are composed of multiple crude drugs to make Kampo formulae. In Japan, Kampo formulae are commonly used instead of or combined with Western medicines. If drug therapy that follows the guidelines for neuropathic pain does not work or cannot be taken due to side effects, various Kampo formulae are considered as the next line of treatment. Since Kampo formulae are composed of two or more kinds of natural crude drugs, and their extracts contain many ingredients with pharmacological effects, one Kampo formula usually has multiple effects. Therefore, when selecting a formula, we consider symptoms other than pain. This review outlines the Kampo formulae that are frequently used for pain treatment and their crude drugs and the basic usage of each component. In recent years, Yokukansan (YKS) has become one of the most used Kampo formulae for pain treatment with an increasing body of baseline research available. We outline the known and possible mechanisms by which YKS exerts its pharmacologic benefits as an example of Kampo formulae's potency and holistic healing properties.

Analgesic Efficacy of a Combination of Fentanyl and a Japanese Herbal Medicine "Yokukansan" in Rats with Acute Inflammatory Pain

Background: Fentanyl can induce acute opioid tolerance and postoperative hyperalgesia when administered at a single high dose; thus, this study examined the analgesic efficacy of a combination of fentanyl and Yokukansan (YKS). Methods: Rats were divided into control, formalin-injected (FOR), YKS-treated+FOR (YKS), fentanyl-treated+FOR (FEN), and YKS+FEN+FOR (YKS+FEN) groups. Acute pain was induced via subcutaneous injection of formalin into the paw. The time engaged in pain-related behavior was measured. Results: In the early (0–10 min) and intermediate (10–20 min) phases, pain-related behavior in the YKS+FEN group was significantly inhibited compared with the FOR group. In the late phase (20–60 min), pain-related behavior in the FEN group was the longest and significantly increased compared with the YKS group. We explored the influence on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in the spinal cord, and YKS suppressed the phosphorylated ERK expression, which may be related to the analgesic effect of YKS in the late phase. Conclusions: These findings suggest that YKS could reduce the use of fentanyl and combined use of YKS and fentanyl is considered clinically useful.

Endogenous Opiates and Behavior: 2018

This paper is the forty-first consecutive installment of the annual anthological review of research concerning the endogenous opioid system, summarizing articles published during 2018 that studied the behavioral effects of molecular, pharmacological and genetic manipulation of opioid peptides and receptors as well as effects of opioid/opiate agonists and antagonists. The review is subdivided into the following specific topics: molecular-biochemical effects and neurochemical localization studies of endogenous opioids and their receptors (2), the roles of these opioid peptides and receptors in pain and analgesia in animals (3) and humans (4), opioid-sensitive and opioid-insensitive effects of nonopioid analgesics (5), opioid peptide and receptor involvement in tolerance and dependence (6), stress and social status (7), learning and memory (8), eating and drinking (9), drug abuse and alcohol (10), sexual activity and hormones, pregnancy, development and endocrinology (11), mental illness and mood (12), seizures and neurologic disorders (13), electrical-related activity and neurophysiology (14), general activity and locomotion (15), gastrointestinal, renal and hepatic functions (16), cardiovascular responses (17), respiration and thermoregulation (18), and immunological responses (19).

Effectiveness of the traditional Japanese Kampo medicine Yokukansan for chronic migraine: A case report

RATIONALE

The traditional Japanese Kampo medicine Yokukansan (TSUMURA Yokukansan extract granules) was originally used to treat neurosis, insomnia, night crying, and irritability and/or agitation in infants and recently it has also been used for neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease or other dementia in Japan. Furthermore, several recent studies have reported the efficacy of Kampo medicines for various types of headache. Here, we report a case of severe chronic migraine refractory to prophylactic therapy using various western medicines and Japanese Kampo medicines that had resulted in a leave of absence from work, but for which the frequency and severity were markedly decreased by Yokukansan (2.5 g 3 times/d), enabling the patient to return to work fully.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient was a 39-year-old woman with a diagnosis of migraine without aura, which started around the age of 17 years and had been well managed with oral triptan preparations. However, due to lifestyle changes after childbirth, the frequency and severity of migraine increased at 38 years of age, prompting her to visit our hospital.

DIAGNOSES

Our initial examination found no neurological abnormality, and our diagnosis was also migraine without aura based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders version 3.

INTERVENTIONS

Her migraine had become refractory to several western medicines (lomerizine hydrochloride, propranolol, sodium valproate, amitriptyline, and duloxetine) and 2 Japanese Kampo medicines (Goshuyuto and Chotosan). The migraine episodes worsened, and consequently she took a leave of absence from work.

OUTCOMES

Yokukansan was then tried, and this markedly improved the chronic migraine, enabling her full return to work.

LESSONS

Yokukansan might have exerted a prophylactic effect on chronic migraine via its action on the glutamatergic and serotonergic systems, inhibitory action on orexin A secretion, and anti-inflammatory action. Yokukansan might be useful as a prophylactic for migraine worldwide, and a future large-scale clinical study is warranted.

Effect of hangebyakujutsutemmato on pregabalin‐induced dizziness in a rat model of neuropathic pain

Aim

This study investigated the efficacy of hangebyakujutsutemmato (HBT) in alleviating disturbances of equilibrium using a rat pregabalin model of neuropathic pain with dizziness. Pregabalin is effective for treating neuropathic pain, but some patients cannot tolerate continued treatment owing to dizziness resulting from pregabalin, especially shortly after beginning treatment. HBT is a Japanese kampo medicine that is used to treat dizziness.

Methods

Rats with chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve (Bennett and Xie model) underwent the beam balance test to evaluate their sense of equilibrium. The animals were divided into four groups, as follows: pregabalin (50 mg/kg) + HBT (1 g/kg; PH), n = 8; pregabalin (50 mg/kg; P), n = 8; HBT (1 g/kg; H), n = 8; and water (N), n = 8. Pregabalin and HBT treatments were initiated 9 days following injury.

Results

On postoperative day 10 (POD10), the day after starting drug treatment, there was a significant difference in the crossing time between PH and P (P < 0.01). The crossing time in group P recovered to a level similar to the other groups on POD16.

Conclusion

HBT alleviated the disturbance of equilibrium resulting from pregabalin in a rat model of neuropathic pain. This suggests that HBT may also alleviate dizziness and/or accelerate recovery from dizziness due to pregabalin treatment in humans.