Counterarguments Against the Articles Advocating Carcinogenicity and Reproductive Toxicity of Kampo Medicine / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

Berberine-containing goldenseal root has been classified into Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) by International Agency for Research on Cancer based on evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. It was also confirmed that ultrahigh concentration berberine can induce DNA damage in cultured cells. Thus, two articles in Journal of Japan Medical Association advocated carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity of oren, obaku, and daio considering that ingredients of daio and berberine contained in oren and obaku can cause DNA damage. However, many fallacies and arbitrary descriptions are observed in the two articles. The concentration of berberine that caused toxicity in the experiments is extremely higher than the possible concentration in humans taking Kampo medicine. Although no studies have shown carcinogenicity and reproductive toxicity of oren or obaku, the advocates in the articles were played up by a weekly magazine causing unreasonable anxiety to patients. Here, we present scientific counterarguments against the fallacies of the articles.