Skip to main content
Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM logoLink to Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM
. 2013 Aug 22;2013:570848. doi: 10.1155/2013/570848

Role of Kampo Medicine in Integrative Cancer Therapy

Jun-ichi Yamakawa 1,*, Yoshiharu Motoo 2, Junji Moriya 1, Masao Ogawa 3, Hiroaki Uenishi 1, Sumiyo Akazawa 1, Toshiyuki Sasagawa 4, Matomo Nishio 5, Junji Kobayashi 1
PMCID: PMC3723058  PMID: 23997796

Abstract

Clinical trials to date demonstrate that standard cancer treatments are currently the most efficient treatments for large numbers of cancer patients. Cancer treatments will increasingly require approaches that allow patients to live with cancer, by increasing their natural healing power and tumor immunity, as well as attenuating the progression of their cancers, instead of only attacking the cancer cells directly. Complementary and alternative medicine, including Kampo medicine, compensates for the drawbacks of western medicine by increasing patients' self-defense mechanisms. In Japan, clinicians who have studied both western medicine and Kampo treat cancer patients by fusing the two medical systems into a unitary one. The goal of the system is to assist the functional maintenance and recovery of the living body complex with the physical, mental, social, and spiritual balance, rather than addressing direct antitumor effects. In this review, we describe the usefulness of Kampo medicine, especially juzentaihoto, and outline the reports on evidence, in addition to the report on an attitudinal survey about the use of Kampo medicine in cancer treatment in Japan.

1. Limitations of Standard Cancer Treatment

Western medicine should be used in preference to Kampo medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Medical diagnosis based on western medicine is essential to determine the exact degree of progression and malignancy of cancer [14]. Western medicine successfully treats many types of cancer, when the appropriate treatment is used. Clinical trials to date demonstrate that standard cancer treatments are currently the most efficient treatments for large numbers of cancer patients [58]. The current standard cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Reliable therapy has not been established yet for refractory cancer, including advanced or recurrent cancer.

Advanced experimental therapies using special anticancer agents, radiation, immunotherapy, and gene therapy have been attempted. Radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and surgery are called “invasive treatments” [912]. The term “invasive” means “harmful to the body” as well as “attacking the cancer.” Aggressive treatment has the disadvantage of damaging normal tissue and reducing tumor immunity and physical strength. This is especially true in bone marrow cells or intestinal mucosal epithelia, in which the cell cycle is vigorous [1318]. The tissues and organs of the whole body maintain order in their structure and function by incorporating nutrients and oxygen from the blood into cells, excreting waste, and repairing old and scar tissues. This is called “natural healing power” or “self-healing power.” Abnormal cells such as cancer cells are constantly produced in our body, but as long as the immune system is maintained properly, they are eliminated prior to growth or progression. This means that as long as the immune system is working properly, cancer is constantly being “cured,” without any treatment.

Cancer treatments will increasingly require approaches that allow patients to live with cancer, by increasing their natural healing power and tumor immunity, as well as attenuating the progression of their cancers, instead of attacking the cancer cells [1921]. Complementary and alternative medicine, including Kampo medicine [2225], compensates for the drawbacks of western medicine by increasing the body's healing power and resistance [2629]. The term “multidisciplinary treatment of cancer” refers to treatment that appropriately utilizes a combination of treatments such as standard treatment, advanced experimental treatments, medical care to enhance the anticancer and healing power of the body, and palliative care, depending on the state of the cancer patient. The goal of holistic treatment, or integrated care, is not only to kill cancer cells but also to address the healing power and resistance of the body. Kampo treatment can provide very useful therapeutic options to achieve holistic therapy and multidisciplinary treatment for cancer [3036].

2. Surveys of the Use of Kampo in Cancer Treatment in Japan

Three papers investigating the use of Kampo in cancer treatment in Japan were published in 2012. Takeda et al. [37] conducted a self-reported questionnaire on Kampo medicine involving a total of 476 patients with gynecologic cancers. Anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. It was confirmed that 22.9% of the women had used Kampo medicine. Kampo users were more likely to have had chemotherapy and were more likely to have experienced uncomfortable adverse effects of cancer treatment. Kampo users were more likely to believe that Kampo offers relief of symptoms with less adverse effects and that Kampo is more effective than western medicine. Kampo users expressed stronger attitudes in regard to taking Kampo medicine. Multiple regression analysis revealed that chemotherapy (RR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.14–2.91), lower state anxiety (RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58–1.00), and higher trait anxiety (RR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.11–1.92) were independently associated with Kampo use. The study showed that approximately one-fourth of Japanese gynecologic cancer patients take Kampo medicine. Kampo users made more favorable comments on Kampo medicine than nonusers. The authors concluded that the psychological characteristics of individual patients are one of the factors that can influence the usage of Kampo.

Iwase et al. [38] conducted a cross-sectional self-administered anonymous questionnaire among 549 physicians working in palliative care teams at 388 core cancer treatment hospitals and 161 certified medical institutions that have palliative care units (PCUs). Valid responses were obtained from 311 physicians (56.7%) who were evenly distributed throughout the country without significant geographical biases. Kampo medicines were prescribed for controlling cancer-related symptoms by 64.3% of the physicians. The symptoms treated with Kampo medicines were numbness/hypoesthesia (n = 99, 49.5%), constipation (n = 76, 38.0%), anorexia/weight loss (n = 72, 36%), muscle cramps (n = 71, 35.5%), and languor/fatigue (n = 64, 32.0%). Regarding open issues about prescription, 60.7% (n = 173) of the physicians raised the issue that the dosage forms need to be better devised. The authors concluded that more evidence from clinical studies is needed to increase the clinical use of Kampo medicines and that the action mechanisms of Kampo should be clarified through laboratory research.

Ito et al. [39] conducted a nationwide survey to investigate the use of Kampo medicine by Japanese physicians in the core cancer treatment hospitals designated by the national Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Among the 900 physicians surveyed, 92.4% reported having prescribed Kampo medications, and 73.5% of those physicians reported having prescribed Kampo medications for cancer patients. Despite this high percentage of usage and the finding that 9.7% of the physicians considered Kampo medications to be harmful, only 23.1% of the physicians expressed high expectations of the efficacy of Kampo medicine in tumor suppression and exertion of an immunostimulatory action. In contrast, many of cancer patients expressed the belief that Kampo can suppress tumor growth. The authors concluded that further research on the efficacy and safety of Kampo medicine in cancer treatment is warranted to resolve this discrepancy between patients' and physicians' expectations.

3. The Role of Kampo Medicine in Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer

The Kampo medicine approach is to prevent cancer by emphasizing the body's defense mechanism and natural healing power [2225]. The existence of even early stage cancer indicates that the healing system is already in functional decline. The fundamental approach of Kampo treatment is to remove obstacles to healing, compensate for deficiencies, and consider the required combination of crude drugs. In western medicine, ideas aimed at activation and nourishing of tissue function are scant, whereas Kampo medicine considers these ideas as the most important treatment strategy. Kampo medicine recognizes that diseases are processes of struggling between individual-specific resistance power and external force of robing those power (e.g., virus). And the former directly determines the occurrence, progression, and outcome of disease. Sanity is a Kampo concept including all of the antidisease substances in the living body, which in modern medicine equates to natural healing power, comprising the mechanisms of self-defense, homeostasis, immune surveillance, and tissue repair. The immune system, antioxidant actions to prevent harm by active oxygen, and the tissue repair system also basically correspond to the concept of sanity in Kampo medicine. In Kampo cancer treatment, we try to treat dysfunction of the body that leads to cancer progression and also try to enhance body function to regain sanity. This is a core characteristic of Kampo treatment of cancer.

The present position of Kampo medicine in the medical treatment of cancer in Japan allows patients to access western and Kampo medical treatments simultaneously. Kampo medicine [2225] is a unique medical system that originated from ancient China, was gradually imported to Japan, and has been improved and refined by many excellent physicians since the Edo period. Most Kampo preparations (Japanese traditional herbal medicines) are available as extract formulations, which are greatly different from the herbal medicine practiced in China, Taiwan, and Korea. Four ethical Kampo extract formulations were approved in 1967 in Japan. Since then, the number of ethical Kampo extract formulations covered by health insurance has grown to 148. Japan's universal health insurance system [40, 41] does allow for simultaneous access to traditional Kampo preparations and western medicines. However, physicians in Japan cannot be licensed without passing a board examination on western medicine, which means that patients in this country receive health care with a high degree of safety. This is another factor that distinguishes the health care system in Japan from other countries. In Japan, physicians who have studied western medicine and Kampo medicine practice these approaches in their medical treatment of cancer with the aim of fusing eastern and western medicine into a unitary medical system (unlike the dual medical systems in China or Republic of Korea).

The goal of the system is to assist the functional maintenance and recovery of the living body complex, a host incorporating a nutrient state, mental balance, and so forth, rather than addressing direct anticancer efficacy. The present condition and stance of Kampo medicine in the medical treatment of cancer in Japan clearly diverges from development of an anticancer herbal medicine and formulation of an antitumor herbal tablet.

4. Juzentaihoto: A Typical Kampo Formula for Cancer Treatment

Juzentaihoto is an effective Kampo medicine for promoting restoration of physical strength after surgery and alleviating adverse effects of anticancer drugs or radiation therapy. While there are many other useful Kampo medicines, this discussion focuses on juzentaihoto. Table 1 and Figure 1 show juzentaihoto's composition and constituent analysis. Juzentaihoto is indicated for the relief of declined constitution after recovery from disease, fatigue and malaise, anorexia, perspiration during sleep, cold limbs, and anemia. Important precautions, (1) when this product is used, patient's “sho” (constitution and symptoms) should be taken into account. Patient's progress should be carefully monitored, and if no improvement in symptoms or findings is observed, continuous treatment should be avoided. (2) Since this product contains Glycyrrhiza, careful attention should be paid to the serum potassium level, blood pressure, and so forth, and if any abnormality is observed, administration should be discontinued. (3) When this product is coadministered with other Kampo preparations (Japanese traditional herbal medicines), attention should be paid to the duplication of the contained crude drugs.

Table 1.

Composition of juzentaihoto.

Description Juzentaihoto extract granules for ethical use
Composition 7.5 g of juzentaihoto extract granules contains 5.0 g of a dried extract of the following mixed crude drugs
JP Astragalus Root 3.0 g
JP Cinnamon Bark 3.0 g
JP Rehmannia Root 3.0 g
JP Peony Root 3.0 g
JP Cnidium Rhizome 3.0 g
JP Atractylodes Lancea Rhizome 3.0 g
JP Japanese Angelica Root 3.0 g
JP Ginseng 3.0 g
JP Poria Sclerotium 3.0 g
JP Glycyrrhiza 1.5 g
Inactive ingredients
 JP Magnesium Stearate
 JP Lactose Hydrate

Figure 1.

Figure 1

3D-HPLC pattern of TJ-48 juzentaihoto.

Juzentaihoto itself has also been reported to prevent cancer occurrence and recurrence, as well as to suppress metastasis. A major report found that juzentaihoto stimulated activation of pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells in irradiated mice [42]. It has also been reported to have an antiangiogenic action in malignant glioma. There have been studies of its actions in suppressing carcinogenesis and metastasis [4348].

Juzentaihoto's biological activity has also been widely reported. Among these reports are studies that found that it activates macrophages, enhances antibody production, induces cytokine production, and has other immunoenhancement actions, in addition to protection against disturbance of myelopoiesis and against immune suppression in anticancer drug and radiation therapy [49].

Muraishi et al. [50] examined the effect of juzentaihoto on immunological functions and antitumor activity in old mice. Juzentaihoto increased the number of T cells remarkably and NK cells slightly in the aged mice, while a significant increase was not observed in young mice.

Treatment with juzentaihoto increased NK activity in both young and old mice. Therefore, the combination of IFNs with juzentaihoto may provide a means to increase the therapeutic potential of IFNs and to decrease their toxicity for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Juzentaihoto increased regulatory activities in T cells by decreasing Foxp3 (+) Treg populations in advanced pancreatic cancer patients [51]. This effect can lead to immunoaugmentation for various combination therapies. Genetic analysis using microarrays has recently been used to indicate its effects in germ-free mice [52]. Ogawa et al. also report that myelosuppression due to TS-1 in mice may be improved with coadministration of juzentaihoto [53]. It is often used for adjunct therapy to cancer therapy as well as the main clinical goals of improving patients' quality of life and alleviating the side effects of anticancer agents and radiation therapy, anorexia, fatigue, and malaise and reduced physical strength following illness. Tokushima University Hospital introduced Kampo medicine therapy to improve general malaise and the various side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy, which is used at the hospital for planocellular carcinoma of the uterine cervix [54]. The hospital reported that Kampo medicines are allowed for prolongation of the lives of cervical cancer patients. Satou and Arakawa investigated whether Kampo therapy based on traditional approaches is useful or not for inhibition of hepatic cell carcinogenesis (HCC) and reported that therapies based on traditional approaches are useful for HCC in chronic type C liver disease [55].

5. Summary

Several aspects of Kampo treatment in Japan have been introduced here with respect to holistic care, integrative therapy, and multidisciplinary treatment of cancer patients. The Kampo medicine approach is to control cancer by bringing out the natural healing power inherent to living bodies and emphasizing body's defense mechanism. In western medicine, ideas aimed at activation of organ functions and nourishment are scant, whereas Kampo medicine regards enhancement of self-defense mechanisms as the most important strategy. Integrative cancer therapy using Kampo medicine is expected to develop further in Japan.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research by Grant for Assist Kaken from Kanazawa Medical University (K2012-8) and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) no. 22590669.

References

  • 1.Chua TC, Saxena A. Preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgical resection for resectable pancreatic cancer: a review of current results. Surgical Oncology. 2011;20(4):e161–e168. doi: 10.1016/j.suronc.2011.05.003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 2.Waddell T, Cunningham D. Impact of targeted neoadjuvant therapies in the treatment of solid organ tumours. British Journal of Surgery. 2013;100:5–14. doi: 10.1002/bjs.8987. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 3.Ferrara F, Schiffer CA. Acute myeloid leukaemia in adults. The Lancet. 2013;381:484–495. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61727-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 4.Pennathur A, Gibson MK, Jobe BA, et al. Oesophageal carcinoma. The Lancet. 2013;381:400–412. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60643-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 5.Liu JJ, Lu J, McKeage MJ. Membrane transporters as determinants of the pharmacology of platinum anticancer drugs. Current Cancer Drug Targets. 2012;12:962–986. doi: 10.2174/156800912803251199. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 6.MacEdo LT, Ribeiro J, Curigliano G, et al. Multidisciplinary approach in the treatment of patients with small cell bladder carcinoma. European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2011;37(7):558–562. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2011.04.005. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 7.Song X, Long SR, Barber B, et al. Systematic review on infusion reactions associated with chemotherapies and monoclonal antibodies for metastatic colorectal cancer. Current Clinical Pharmacology. 2012;7(1):56–65. doi: 10.2174/157488412799218806. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 8.Deenen MJ, Cats A, Beijnen JH, Schellens JHM. Part 2: pharmacogenetic variability in drug transport and phase I anticancer drug metabolism. Oncologist. 2011;16(6):820–834. doi: 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0259. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 9.Hsu ES. A review of granisetron, 5-hydroxytryptamine3 receptor antagonists, and other antiemetics. American Journal of Therapeutics. 2010;17(5):476–486. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0b013e3181ea7821. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 10.Lee C, Gianos M, Klaustermeyer WB. Diagnosis and management of hypersensitivity reactions related to common cancer chemotherapy agents. Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. 2009;102(3):179–187. doi: 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60078-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 11.Bardy J, Slevin NJ, Mais KL, Molassiotis A. A systematic review of honey uses and its potential value within oncology care. Journal of Clinical Nursing. 2008;17(19):2604–2623. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.2008.02304.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 12.Grande C, Villanueva MJ, Huidobro G, Casal J. Docetaxel-induced interstitial pneumonitis following non-small-cell lung cancer treatment. Clinical and Translational Oncology. 2007;9(9):578–581. doi: 10.1007/s12094-007-0106-4. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 13.Rodriguez-Frias EA, Lee WM. Cancer chemotherapy II: atypical hepatic injuries. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2007;11(3):663–676. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2007.06.012. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 14.Rodriguez-Frias EA, Lee WM. Cancer chemotherapy I: hepatocellular injury. Clinics in Liver Disease. 2007;11(3):641–662. doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2007.06.007. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 15.Bosch TM, Meijerman I, Beijnen JH, Schellens JHM. Genetic polymorphisms of drug-metabolising enzymes and drug transporters in the chemotherapeutic treatment of cancer. Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 2006;45(3):253–285. doi: 10.2165/00003088-200645030-00003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 16.Ando M, Hasegawa Y, Ando Y. Pharmacogenetics of irinotecan: a promoter polymorphism of UGT1A1 gene and severe adverse reactions to irinotecan. Investigational New Drugs. 2005;23(6):539–545. doi: 10.1007/s10637-005-4022-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 17.Ando Y, Hasegawa Y. Clinical pharmacogenetics of irinotecan (CPT-11) Drug Metabolism Reviews. 2005;37(3):565–574. doi: 10.1080/03602530500316254. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 18.Bensadoun R-J, Magné N, Marcy P-Y, Demard F. Chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: new trends in pathophysiology, prevention and treatment. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 2001;258(9):481–487. doi: 10.1007/s004050100368. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 19.Nahin RL. Use of the best case series to evaluate complementary and alternative therapies for cancer: a systematic review. Seminars in Oncology. 2002;29(6):552–562. doi: 10.1053/sonc.2002.50004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 20.White JD. Complementary and alternative medicine research: a National Cancer Institute perspective. Seminars in Oncology. 2002;29(6):546–551. doi: 10.1053/sonc.2002.50003. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 21.Richardson MA, Straus SE. Complementary and alternative medicine: opportunities and challenges for cancer management and research. Seminars in Oncology. 2002;29(6):531–545. doi: 10.1053/sonc.2002.50002. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 22.Terasawa K. Evidence-based reconstruction of Kampo medicine: part I-is Kampo CAM? Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2004;1:11–16. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neh003. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 23.Terasawa K. Evidence-based reconstruction of Kampo medicine: part II-the Concept of Sho. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2004;1:119–123. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neh022. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 24.Terasawa K. Evidence-based reconstruction of Kampo medicine: part-III-How Should Kampo be Evaluated? Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2004;1:219–222. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neh046. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 25.Motoo Y, Seki T, Tsutani K. Traditional Japanese medicine, Kampo: its history and current status. Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine. 2011;17(2):85–87. doi: 10.1007/s11655-011-0653-y. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 26.White JD. The National Cancer Institute’s perspective and agenda for promoting awareness and research on alternative therapies for cancer. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2002;8(5):545–550. doi: 10.1089/107555302320825048. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 27.Walker LA, Budd S. UK: the current state of regulation of complementary and alternative medicine. Complementary Therapies in Medicine. 2002;10(1):8–13. doi: 10.1054/ctim.2002.0522. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 28.White JD. Cancer: current research in alternative therapies. Primary Care. 2002;29:379–392. doi: 10.1016/s0095-4543(01)00002-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 29.Markman M. Safety issues in using complementary and alternative medicine. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2002;20(18, supplement):39S–41S. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 30.Yamakawa J-I, Ishigaki Y, Takano F, et al. The Kampo medicines orengedokuto, bofutsushosan and boiogito have different activities to regulate gene expressions in differentiated rat white adipocytes: comprehensive analysis of genetic profiles. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2008;31(11):2083–2089. doi: 10.1248/bpb.31.2083. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 31.Yamakawa J-I, Moriya J, Takahashi T, et al. A Kampo medicine, boiogito, inhibits obesity in ovariectomized rats. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2010;7(1):87–95. doi: 10.1093/ecam/nem153. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 32.Gao JJ, Song PP, Qi FH, et al. Evidence-based research on traditional Japanese medicine, Kampo, in treatment of gastrointestinal cancer in Japan. Drug Discoveries & Therapeutics. 2012;6:1–8. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 33.Yoshiro H, Sekiya N, Chino A, et al. Three cases of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy successfully treated with therapy based on kampo diagnosis. Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine. 2011;17:26–30. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 34.Yasunaga H, Miyata H, Horiguchi H, Kuwabara K, Hashimoto H, Matsuda S. Effect of the Japanese herbal kampo medicine Dai-kenchu-to on postoperative adhesive small bowel obstruction requiring long-tube decompression: a propensity score analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:7 pages. doi: 10.1155/2011/264289.264289 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 35.Sharma R, Tobin P, Clarke SJ. Management of chemotherapy-induced nausea, vomiting, oral mucositis, and diarrhoea. The Lancet Oncology. 2005;6(2):93–102. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(05)01735-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 36.Mori K, Kondo T, Kamiyama Y, Kano Y, Tominaga K. Preventive effect of Kampo medicine (Hangeshashin-to) against irinotecan-induced diarrhea in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology. 2003;51(5):403–406. doi: 10.1007/s00280-003-0585-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 37.Takeda T, Yamaguchi T, Yaegashi N. Perceptions and attitudes of Japanese gynecologic cancer patients to Kampo (Japanese herbal) medicines. International Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2012;17(2):143–149. doi: 10.1007/s10147-011-0271-x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 38.Iwase S, Yamaguchi T, Miyaji T, et al. The clinical use of Kampo medicines (traditional Japanese herbal treatments) for controlling cancer patients' symptoms in Japan: a national cross-sectional survey. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;20:p. 222. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-222. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 39.Ito A, Munakata K, Imazu Y, et al. First nationwide attitude survey of Japanese physicians on the use of traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo) in cancer treatment. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;2012:8 pages. doi: 10.1155/2012/957082.957082 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 40.Tsutsui T, Muramatsu N. Japan’s universal long-term care system reform of 2005: containing costs and realizing a vision. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. 2007;55(9):1458–1463. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01281.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 41.Ikegami N. The economics of health care in Japan. Science. 1992;258:614–618. doi: 10.1126/science.1411572. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 42.Kamiyama H, Takano S, Ishikawa E, Tsuboi K, Matsumura A. Anti-angiogenic and immunomodulatory effect of the herbal medicine “Juzen-taiho-to” on malignant glioma. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2005;28(11):2111–2116. doi: 10.1248/bpb.28.2111. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 43.Tagami K, Niwa K, Lian Z, Gao J, Mori H, Tamaya T. Preventive effect of Juzen-taiho-to on endometrial carcinogenesis in mice is based on Shimotsu-to constituent. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2004;27(2):156–161. doi: 10.1248/bpb.27.156. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 44.Mori H, Niwa K, Zheng Q, Yamada Y, Sakata K, Yoshimi N. Cell proliferation in cancer prevention; effects of preventive agents on estrogen-related endometrial carcinogenesis model and on an in vitro model in human colorectal cells. Mutation Research. 2001;480-481:201–207. doi: 10.1016/s0027-5107(01)00200-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 45.Matsuo M, Tani T, Saiki I. Organ selectivity of Juzen-taiho-to and Ninjin-yoei-to in the expression of anti-metastatic efficacy. Journal of Traditional Medicines. 2002;19:93–97. [Google Scholar]
  • 46.Onishi Y, Yamaura T, Tauchi K, et al. Expression of the anti-metastatic effect induced by Juzen-taiho-to is based on the content of Shimotsu-to constituents. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 1998;21(7):761–765. doi: 10.1248/bpb.21.761. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 47.Saiki I. A Kampo medicine “Juzen-taiho-to”—prevention of malignant progression and metastasis of tumor cells and the mechanism of action. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2000;23(6):677–688. doi: 10.1248/bpb.23.677. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 48.Ishikawa S, Ishikawa T, Asano K, et al. Suppressive effect of Juzentaihoto on vascularization induced by B16 melanoma cells in vitro and in vivo. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;2012:9 pages. doi: 10.1155/2012/945714.945714 [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 49.Utsuyama M, Seidlar H, Kitagawa M, Hirokawa K. Immunological restoration and anti-tumor effect by Japanese herbal medicine in aged mice. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development. 2001;122(3):341–352. doi: 10.1016/s0047-6374(00)00249-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 50.Muraishi Y, Mitani N, Yamaura T, Fuse H, Saiki I. Effect of interferon-α A/D in combination with the Japanese and Chinese traditional herbal medicine Juzen-taiho-to on lung metastasis of murine renal cell carcinoma. Anticancer Research. 2000;20(5):2931–2937. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 51.Ikemoto T, Shimada M, Iwahashi S, et al. Changes of immunological parameters with administration of Japanese Kampo medicine (Juzen-Taihoto/TJ-48) in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. 2013 doi: 10.1007/s10147-013-0529-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 52.Munakata K, Takashima K, Nishiyama M, et al. Microarray analysis on germfree mice elucidates the primary target of a traditional Japanese medicine juzentaihoto: acceleration of IFN-α response via affecting the ISGF3-IRF7 signaling cascade. BMC Genomics. 2012;13(1, article 30) doi: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-30. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 53.Ogawa K, Omatsu T, Matsumoto C, et al. Protective effect of the Japanese traditional medicine juzentaihoto on myelosuppression induced by the anticancer drug TS-1 and identification of a potential biomarker of this effect. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012;9(article 118) doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-12-118. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 54.Takegawa Y, Ikushima H, Ozaki K, et al. Can Kampo therapy prolong the life of cancer patients? Journal of Medical Investigation. 2008;55(1-2):99–105. doi: 10.2152/jmi.55.99. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  • 55.Satou H, Arakawa S. Inhibitory effect of Kampo (japanese traditional herbal medicine) therapy on the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with HCV-related chronic hepatic disease: usefulness of Kampo therapy based on traditional theory. Kampo Medicine. 2004;55:455–461. [Google Scholar]

Articles from Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM are provided here courtesy of Wiley

RESOURCES