ABSTRACT
We examined 375 patients who were administered Kampo medicine for emergency hospitalization in the acute period ward for 6 years and to improve early illness and symptoms. There were many significant uses of hozai. Of the top 5 types of Kampo medicine administered, 4 were hochuekkito, ninjinyoeito, rikkunshito, and daikenchuto. In the case of emergency hospital admission, it was considered that there were many uses of hozai for poor oral intake, walking disorder, and low level of consciousness, among others. Next, there were many risuizai uses.
ABSTRACT
Systemic infection by MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a risk in immunodeficient patients such as those with severe burn injuries. Hozai, formulations with tonic effects, may enhance the immune system and we treated two severe burn patients with MRSA infections using Juzentaihoto, which is a remedy for kikyo (deficiency of vital energy) and kekkyo (ketsu deficiency). Both patients suffered flame burns [85% body surface area (BSA) and 40% BSA] and inhalation injuries committing self-immolation. They contracted MRSA in due course and antibiotics such as Arbekacin or Teicoplanin did not control MRSA. Therefore, Juzentaihoto was administered through a nasogastric tube and both of them were finally cured without complications. Juzentaihoto may be useful against fatigue, anemia, malaise, ulcer, and purulent wounds due to severe burns.
Subject(s)
Wounds and InjuriesABSTRACT
We retrospectively investigated the prevalence of influenza virus type A infection and the efficacy of Kampo medicine as a prophylactic for handicapped residents at our social welfare institution, during the 2004/5 flu season. Upon studying a nationwide surveillance report for said season, we supposed that it had been difficult to prevent mass infection at our welfare institution with the usual preventive methods, because type B had prevailed for most of the season, and because of the differing type A (AH 3) antigenicity which prevailed late-season, for which there were no type A vaccines.43 of 90 (47.8%) residents given flu vaccinations twice, and 25 of 110 (22.7%) of staff members given flu vaccinations once contracted type A influenza between March and May of 2005. Interestingly, residents who had been administered Hozai for either short-term health problems or chronic disease, demonstrated a low influenza prevalence, there being a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) between our “Hozai” and “non-Hozai” groups. Furthermore Juzentaihoto, known to enhance immune function, seemed beneficial because of its low associated morbidity rate, and only 2 of 8 residents administered it contracted flu. No difference was observed, however, between generalized “Kampo treatment” and “non-Kampo treatment” groups.We consider that certain Kampo medicines may be useful for the prevention of influenza infection, in institutionalized handicapped residents with short-term health problems. Immunological enhancements, and the influence of Hozai are discussed here.
Subject(s)
Medicine, Kampo , Seasons , Influenza, HumanABSTRACT
A decline in the immunopotential of the host plays an essential role in the occurrence of infections with methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MRSA) or other multi-drug resistant microorganisms. In the present study, mytomycin C (MMC)-treated mice with or without the infection of MRSA were used to examine the bacteriostatic action as well as the immunopotentiating action of the promising herbal medicine, Hochu-ekki-to (HET). Basic experimental data showed the drug to be effective in the treatment of MRSA infection. Eight to ten week old male C57BL mice were injected with MMC at a dosage of 5mg/kg/day to inhibit the bone marrow, thus creating a mouse model with reduced immunopotential. A powder extract of HET was administered orally at a dosage of 500mg/kg/day for seven consecutive days. For the infection of MRSA 1×10<sup>9</sup> cell were injected intraperitoneally. Peritoneal macrophages were prepared by the adherence technique. Macrophage migration, phagocytic activity, and the bactericidal activity were examined by the Boyden chamber method, by the phagocytosis for fluorescent-activated latex beads, and by the nitroblue tetra zolium (NBT) reduction test, respectively.<br>After the administration of HET, the number of white blood cells in the MMC-treated mice recovered to 80% of the normal value. In addition, the phagocytic activity of macrophages increased to 50%, although that of the non-treated group was only 20%. The bactericidal activity also recovered to a level close to the normal value. The ratio of neutrophils in the HET administered MMC-treated group increased to 2.2% (normal mice, 2.6%) whereas that of the MMC-treated control group was 0.5%. Concerning the function of the immunological cells, IL-1beta and IFNgamma levels were recovered by treatment with HET, as observed by IL-1beta, IL-2 and IFNgamma monitoring. The bacterial count in the liver of the MRSA challenged mice, with or without HET administration peaked 6 hours after the challenge. The number of the group with HET administration was, however, much greater than that of the group without HET administration. The bacteria count in the blood showed an increase 12 and 24 hours after the challenge. Even 24 hours after the challenge, a significant number of bacterial cells existed in the blood of the group without HET administration, whereas only a small number of cells were detected 6 hours after the challenge. All of the control mice died 8 days after the MRSA challenge, whereas the survival rates were 60% for HET treatment, 40% for the vancomycin treatment, and 80% for the HET plus vancomycin treatment, respectively.<br>As we move towards a society with a high percentage of elderly people, the authors believe Chinese herbal medicine, which activates the immunopotential, will be very helpful in the treatment of opportunistic infections that are common among elderly patients.