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Rikkunshito as a ghrelin enhancer.
Hiroshi Takeda1, Shuichi Muto, Koji Nakagawa
1Pathophysiology and Therapeutics, Hokkaido University Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. h_takeda@pharm.hokudai.ac.jp
Methods in Enzymology
|September 15, 2012
Summary
Rikkunshito, a traditional herbal medicine, boosts appetite by enhancing ghrelin
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Gastroenterology
- Herbal Medicine
Background:
- Rikkunshito is a kampo herbal medicine used in Japan for upper gastrointestinal symptoms.
- It treats functional dyspepsia, GERD, and post-surgery dyspepsia.
- It is also used for chemotherapy-induced dyspepsia in cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the appetite-stimulating (orexigenic) effects of Rikkunshito.
- To focus on Rikkunshito's interaction with the ghrelin signaling system.
- To explore Rikkunshito as a therapeutic option for anorexia.
Main Methods:
- Review of animal and human studies on Rikkunshito's effects.
- Analysis of Rikkunshito's mechanisms of action.
- Focus on ghrelin potentiation and signaling.
Main Results:
- Rikkunshito potentiates the orexigenic action of ghrelin through multiple mechanisms.
- Evidence suggests Rikkunshito is effective for various anorectic conditions.
- Conditions include cisplatin-induced dyspepsia, anorexia of aging, and cancer cachexia.
Conclusions:
- Rikkunshito shows promise as a therapeutic agent for anorexia.
- Its interaction with the ghrelin system is key to its orexigenic effects.
- Further research supports Rikkunshito for appetite stimulation.
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