Abstract
Rikkunshito is a Japanese herbal medicine (Kampo) that has been attracting attention and researched by many researchers not only in Japan but also worldwide. There are 214 rikkunshito articles that can be searched on PubMed by August 2021. The reason why rikkunshito has attracted so much attention is due to an epoch-making report (Gastroenterology, 2008) discovered that rikkunshito promotes the secretion of the orexigenic peptide ghrelin. Since then, many researchers have discovered that rikkunshito has a direct effect on the ghrelin receptor, GHS-R1a, and an effect of enhancing the ghrelin signal to the brain. Additionally, a lot of evidence that rikkunshito is expected to be effective for various gastrointestinal diseases have also been demonstrated. Numerous basic and clinical studies have suggested that rikkunshito affects (i) various discomforts caused by anticancer drugs, gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional dyspepsia, (ii) various stress-induced anorexia, (iii) hypophagia in the elderly, and (iv) healthy lifespan. In this review, as one who discovered the ghrelin enhancer effect of rikkunshito, we will review the research of rikkunshito so far and report on the latest research results.
Highlights
Frontiers in NutritionRikkunshito comprises eight herbal medicines, Atractylodis lanceae rhizoma, Ginseng radix, Pinelliae tuber, Hoelen, Zizyphi fructus, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae radix and Zingiberis rhizoma
This review focuses on the effects of rikkunshito on ghrelin and describes the latest evidence and the following possibilities regarding the potential treatment of rikkunshito for various diseases
The promoted ghrelin secretion and ghrelin signal promotion exerted by rikkunshito may play an important role for effectiveness for (i) anorexia, nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy, (ii) severe loss of appetite and weight loss due to cancer cachexia and stress-induced hypophagia, and (iii) hypophagia in the elderly
Summary
Rikkunshito comprises eight herbal medicines, Atractylodis lanceae rhizoma, Ginseng radix, Pinelliae tuber, Hoelen, Zizyphi fructus, Aurantii nobilis pericarpium, Glycyrrhizae radix and Zingiberis rhizoma. It was used for patients with gastrointestinal weakness, loss of appetite, epigastrium, tiredness, anemia, and chills in the limbs. Rikkunshito has been proven to enhance gastric emptying [4,5,6] and promote adaptive relaxation reaction [6,7,8,9,10] of the stomach from basic and clinical aspects These actions are not merely single pharmacological actions, such as increased gastric motility or decreased gastric acid secretion, but have the characteristic of enhancing the overall function of the stomach.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
