Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin (Kyuki-chouketsu-in), a traditional herbal medicine, stimulates lactation with increase in secretion of prolactin but not oxytocin in the postpartum period.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, in stimulating lactation in the postpartum period. We enrolled 82 women who had a normal delivery in Osaka Medical College Hospital, and randomly assigned them to the following two groups: a group of 41 women who received Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin at a dose of 6.0 g/day (Group X), and a group of 41 women who received ergometrine (methylergometrine maleate) at a dose of 0.375 mg/day (Group E). Volume of lactation was determined daily until Day 6 postpartum. Plasma prolactin and oxytocin concentration were measured at Days 1 and 6 postpartum. The results showed that volume of lactation was significantly higher in Group X than in Group E at Days 4 (p = 0.042), 5 (p = 0.038), and 6 (p = 0.046). Significant differences between Groups X and E were noted in plasma prolactin concentration at Days 1 (157.9 +/- 78.2 ng/ml and 129.1 +/- 64.8 ng/ml; p = 0.037) and 6 (167.5 +/- 95.4 ng/ml and 117.1 +/- 53.6 ng/ml; p = 0.0042) postpartum. On the other hand, at Day 1, oxytocin concentration was significantly higher in Group E than in Group X (p = 0.0024). No adverse effects were observed in this study. The results of our study demonstrate the beneficial effects of Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin on lactation, with increase in prolactin level without increase in oxytocin level in the postpartum period. Therefore, Xiong-gui-tiao-xue-yin can be expected to improve lactation in women in the postpartum period. Further detailed bio-pharmacological studies and clinical trials to investigate the properties of this drug are warranted.

Therapeutic effects of Kyuki-chouketsu-in in restoring postpartum physical condition.

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Kyuki-chouketsu-in, a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, in restoring postpartum physical condition. We enrolled 171 women who had a normal delivery in Osaka Medical College Hospital or its affiliated clinics, and randomly assigned them to the following two groups: a group of 85 women who received Kyuki-chouketsu-in at a dose of 6.0 g/day (Group K), and a group of 86 women who received ergometrine (methylergometrine maleate) at a dose of 0.375 mg/day (Group E). The height of the uterine fundus, blood hemoglobin concentration and biochemical blood values were determined until day 6 postpartum. The height of the uterine fundus was significantly lower in women of Group K (8.9 +/- 2.4 cm) than in those of Group E (10.5 +/- 2.7 cm) on day 5 postpartum (p = 0.071). A significant difference between Groups K and E was noted in change in blood hemoglobin concentration between days 1 and 6 postpartum (4.6 +/- 7.2% in Group K; -1.57 +/- 7.3% in Group E). Significant differences between Groups K and E were noted in decrease in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and increases in serum total protein (TP) and albumin concentrations between days 1 and 6 postpartum. No adverse effects were observed in this study. The results of our study demonstrate the beneficial effects of Kyuki-chouketsu-in on physical recovery in the postpartum period. Kyuki-chouketsu-in can be expected to improve the health of women in the postpartum period. Biopharmacological research and clinical trials to investigate the properties of this drug in detail are warranted.