Kampo medicines Rikkunshito and Hangeshashinto prevent cisplatin-induced intestinal mucosal injury in rats

We examined the effects and mechanisms of rikkunshito (RKT) and hangeshashinto (HST) on cisplatin-induced mucosal injuries in the rat small bowel.

Juvenile rats were divided into 6 groups: sham control, cisplatin injection without kampo medicines, and cisplatin injection with oral administration of low and high doses of RKT (1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg) and HST (500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg). Fecal condition, intestinal morphological changes, enterocyte proliferation, and enterocyte apoptosis were assessed.

Diarrhea and atrophy of ileal villi observed in the cisplatin group were significantly improved in all kampo groups. Injury scores of the jejunum were significantly lower with RKT (2000 mg/kg) and HST (500 and 1000 mg/kg) than with cisplatin, and those of the ileum were significantly lower with HST (500 and 1000 mg/kg) than with cisplatin. Enterocyte proliferation of the jejunum was significantly increased with RKT (2000 mg/kg) and HST (500 mg/kg) compared with cisplatin, and those of the ileum were significantly increased in all kampo groups compared with the cisplatin group. Jejunal and ileal apoptosis following cisplatin administration was significantly inhibited by HST.

RKT and HST prevented cisplatin-induced intestinal mucosal injury with increasing proliferation of intestinal epithelial cells. HST also attenuated cisplatin-induced crypt cell apoptosis.