A review of frequently used Kampo prescriptions part 1. Daikenchuto

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe original formula name for daikenchuto (DKT) was written in ‘Jin Gui Yao Lue (Kinkiyōryaku in Japanese)’. DKT as used in Japan consists of four types of crude drug.Key findingsAlthough there are few examples of its use in Chinese classical records, it has begun to be used extensively in modern Japan for intestinal obstruction after laparotomy. Furthermore, to prove its usefulness, many clinical trials on DKT for intestinal obstruction have been conducted since the 1990s. Although the efficacy of DKT in preventing or improving intestinal obstruction was controversial, a meta‐analysis of nine studies reported in recent years showed that DKT significantly reduced the incidence of intestinal obstruction after gastrointestinal cancer surgery, suggesting its effectiveness. Related knowledge of irritable bowel syndrome has also been accumulated through case reports. DKT has been shown to be involved in the promotion of gastrointestinal motility, inhibition of excessive gastrointestinal motility, secretion of gastrointestinal hormones, and improvement of gastrointestinal blood flow, and to have anti‐inflammatory effects. In addition to drug rash, serious adverse events include hepatic dysfunction and interstitial pneumonia, but there have been relatively few reports.ConclusionDKT has been used in many cases in Japan, but it is often used without considering the ‘pattern (shō)’. Since it was originally formulated for the treatment of chills (hie), it would be more effective if its target (pattern) were taken into consideration. Overall, DKT is a safe prescription with a wide range of applications.