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Sunagawa M, Takayama Y, Kato M, Tanaka M, Fukuoka S, Okumo T, Tsukada M, Yamaguchi K. Kampo Formulae for the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain ∼ Especially the Mechanism of Action of Yokukansan ∼. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:705023. [PMID: 34970116 PMCID: PMC8712661 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.705023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Sunagawa
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasunori Takayama
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Kato
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Midori Tanaka
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Seiya Fukuoka
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takayuki Okumo
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mana Tsukada
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kojiro Yamaguchi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan
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Tsukada M, Ikemoto H, Lee XP, Takaki T, Tsuchiya N, Mizuno K, Inoue T, Tsunokawa Y, Okumo T, Matsuyama T, Sunagawa M. Kamikihito, a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, increases the secretion of oxytocin in rats with acute stress. J Ethnopharmacol 2021; 276:114218. [PMID: 34029638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Kamikihito (KKT) is a Kampo medicine that is prescribed in Japan for the treatment of anemia, insomnia and mental anxiety in Japan. However, its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to evaluate the possible antistress effect of KKT in rats with acute stress and the contribution of oxytocin to the process. MATERIALS AND METHODS Acute immobilization stress (AIS; for 90 min) was used to assess the effect of KKT on acute stress. Male Wistar rats were orally treated with KKT. Parameters of stress were evaluated, and concentrations of oxytocin in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured. RESULTS AIS-induced defecation and fecal weight were significantly decreased because of treatment with KKT. The plasma levels of stress-related hormones following AIS were investigated. The pre-administration of KKT significantly increased adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) levels following AIS. Conversely, there was no significant change in the plasma oxytocin level. Microdialysis and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) were used to monitor the oxytocin secretion in CSF. Oxytocin level increased during AIS following the treatment of KKT. At 30 min after AIS, the level remained higher than before AIS. Furthermore, using an open field test, the locomotion (exploratory behavior) immediately after AIS was examined. The total traveled distance decreased after AIS; however, the decrease was significantly inhibited by the treatment of KKT. However, the effect of KKT was obstructed by the pre-administration of the oxytocin receptor antagonist. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that KKT has antistress activity and increased oxytocin secretion may be a mechanism underlying this phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mana Tsukada
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Hideshi Ikemoto
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Xiao-Pen Lee
- Department of Legal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takashi Takaki
- Division of Electron Microscopy, Showa University, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Naoko Tsuchiya
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Kampo Research and Development Division, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan.
| | - Keita Mizuno
- Kampo Research and Development Division, Tsumura & Co., Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Tatsuki Inoue
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Yoshiki Tsunokawa
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takayuki Okumo
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Takaaki Matsuyama
- Department of Legal Medicine, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Masataka Sunagawa
- Department of Physiology, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Ebihara N, Ikemoto H, Adachi N, Okumo T, Kimura T, Yusa K, Hattori S, Manabe A, Hisamitsu T, Sunagawa M. Analgesic Effect of Combined Therapy with the Japanese Herbal Medicine " Yokukansan" and Electroacupuncture in Rats with Acute Inflammatory Pain. Medicines (Basel) 2021; 8:31. [PMID: 34204458 DOI: 10.3390/medicines8060031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Background: Japanese herbal medicine, called Kampo medicine, and acupuncture are mainly used in Japanese traditional medicine. In this experiment, the analgesic effect of Yokukansan (YKS) alone and a combination of YKS and electroacupuncture (EA) on inflammatory pain induced by formalin injection were examined. Methods: Animals were divided into four groups: a control group, formalin injection group (formalin), YKS-treated formalin group (YKS), and YKS- and EA-treated formalin group (YKS + EA). The duration of pain-related behaviors and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) activation in the spinal cord after formalin injection in the right hind paw were determined. Results: The duration of pain-related behaviors was dramatically prolonged in the late phase (10–60 min) in the formalin group. The YKS treatment tended to reduce (p = 0.08), whereas YKS + EA significantly suppressed the pain-related behaviors (p < 0.01). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses revealed that the number of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (pERK1/2)-positive cells and the pERK expression level, which were increased by formalin injection, were significantly inhibited by YKS (p < 0.05) and YKS + EA (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The YKS + EA combination therapy elicited an analgesic effect on formalin-induced acute inflammatory pain.
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Krzysztoforska K, Piechal A, Blecharz-Klin K, Pyrzanowska J, Joniec-Maciejak I, Mirowska-Guzel D, Widy-Tyszkiewicz E. Effect of protocatechuic acid on cognitive processes and central nervous system neuromodulators in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and striatum of healthy rats. Nutr Neurosci 2020; 25:1362-1373. [PMID: 33345757 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2020.1859728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE : This study aimed to investigate the influence of protocatechuic acid (PCA) on learning, memory, and central nervous system (CNS) neuromodulators in healthy rats, to analyse whether the procognitive effects of PCA found in animal models of memory impairment and described in the literature occur in healthy individuals. METHODS : PCA was administered p.o. for 48 days at doses of 50 or 100 mg/kg body weight. The cognitive performance was analysed in behavioural tests (open field, novel object recognition, water maze). Then the animals were sacrificed and their hippocampi, prefrontal cortices and striata removed to measure the level of serotonin, dopamine (DA), noradrenaline, their metabolites and amino acids (taurine, histidine, serine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, alanine) using high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS : No obvious behavioural changes were observed. Post-mortem quantification of monoamines showed that the turnover of DA in the striatum was significantly increased by PCA. Moreover, hippocampal, and cortical levels of histidine were influenced by PCA and significantly decreased. CONCLUSION : Despite many beneficial effects of PCA in experimentally developed cognitive impairments, it has no sharp effect on memory performance in healthy rats. The influence on the turnover of striatal DA and modulation of the amino acid system by affecting the concentration of histidine deserves a deeper examination due to the role of histamine in neuropsychiatric disorders as well as the functional interactions between histidine and DA metabolism in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga Krzysztoforska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Piechal
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kamilla Blecharz-Klin
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Justyna Pyrzanowska
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ilona Joniec-Maciejak
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dagmara Mirowska-Guzel
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Widy-Tyszkiewicz
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology CePT, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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Akanuma Y, Kato M, Takayama Y, Ikemoto H, Adachi N, Ohashi Y, Yogi W, Okumo T, Tsukada M, Sunagawa M. Analgesic Efficacy of a Combination of Fentanyl and a Japanese Herbal Medicine " Yokukansan" in Rats with Acute Inflammatory Pain. Medicines (Basel) 2020; 7:E75. [PMID: 33348580 DOI: 10.3390/medicines7120075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Kuwagata M, Muneoka K, Honda K, Miyazaki A. Hypothalamic Monoaminergic Pathology in a Neurodevelopmental Rat Model Showing Prenatal 5-Bromo-2'-Deoxyuridine Treatment-Induced Hyperactivity and Hyporeproductivity. Neuropsychobiology 2020; 79:161-169. [PMID: 31822012 DOI: 10.1159/000504552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prenatal treatment of rats with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) is a neurodevelopmental model showing hyperactivity and impaired sexual activity. Human neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism, exhibit sex-related pathology, but sex-related neurodevelopment has not been fully investigated in this model. We conducted this study to facilitate the understanding of the pathophysiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS Pregnant rats received 50 mg/kg BrdU on gestational days 9-15. The tissue content of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and their metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were measured in male and female offspring at 3 weeks (juveniles) and 10 weeks (adults) of age. RESULTS Prenatally BrdU-treated rats had reduced DA metabolism or DA content in the hypothalamus from the juvenile through the adult period without sex differences, but sex-specific striatal DA abnormalities emerged after maturation. A reduction in 5-HT metabolism was measured in the hypothalamus without sex differences throughout development. Developmental alterations in the striatal 5-HT states were sex-dependent. Temporal changes in DA or 5-HT metabolism were found in the frontal cortex and midbrain. CONCLUSION The sex-specific influence of a genotoxic factor on the development of the DA and 5-HT systems was clarified in the hypothalamus and striatum. The results suggest that the observed sex dependence and region specificity are related to the pathology of social dysfunction in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makiko Kuwagata
- Department of Anatomy, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.,Laboratory of Safety Evaluation, Division of Safety, Hatano Research Institute, Food and Drug Safety Center, Hadano, Japan.,Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Science, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Katsumasa Muneoka
- Department of Anatomy, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, .,Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan,
| | - Kazuho Honda
- Department of Anatomy, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akira Miyazaki
- Department of Biochemistry, Showa University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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