Huaier Granule for Breast Cancer Treatment / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Huaier granule, which is clinically used in Japan as a health food, is originally a traditional Chinese medicine for immune dysfunction, such as cancer, in China. Huaier guanule emerged with abundant evidence, and is being prescribed to hepatocellular carcinoma, breast cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, et al. as indications in China. This review focused on the clinical evidence of Huaier guanule associated to breast cancer.

Effects of Placental Extract on Healthy Women’s Body Constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine: an Open-label Clinical Trial / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

We conducted a clinical trial in 26 healthy adult women to evaluate the effect of foods containing placental extract ingested for 12 consecutive weeks on 9 constitutional types in Traditional Chinese Medicine.The body constitution analysis set consisted of 23 subjects (excluding 3 dropouts). Twelve-week ingestion of placental extract-containing foods improved individual scores for “Gentleness” type, a healthy constitution, and “Qi-deficiency,” “Yang-deficiency,” “Yin-deficiency,” “Wet-heat” and “Qi-depression” types, which are all mibyou constitution.The safety analysis set consisted of 25 subjects (excluding 1 dropout). Only one subject experienced an adverse event (exacerbation of urticaria, an underlying disease). No other safety concerns arose.

Data Analysis of Health-related Information of Kurobe Local Resident by Constitution Theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

With the cooperation of Kurobe City, we conducted a basic survey using the nine classification of constitution and an intervention survey using a constitutional guidance program. The basic survey was conducted by the Kurobe group (Kurobe River alluvial fan spring water drinker n=155, 60.6±10.4 years old) and the non-Kurobe group (normal tap water drinker n=99, 50.7±12.8 living in the Hokuriku region without Kurobe City). A total of three surveys were conducted using the constitution Questionnaire (CCMQ-J). As a result, the Gentleness type, which is usually called the healthy constitution, was clearly higher in the Kurobe group, with 44.6 % in the Kurobe group and 22.5 % in the non-Kurobe group. In the proportion of each biased constitution(Mibyo constitution), the Kurobe group had less Wet-heat type (4.5 % vs 11.8 %), Qi-depression type (5.4 % vs 10.7 %), Yin-deficiency type (7.1 % vs 12.3 %) , and Phlegm-wetness type (5.8 % vs 9.6 %) than the non-Kurobe group. After the basic survey was completed, the Kurobe group was randomly divided into two groups, an intervention group (n=65, 62.3±9.3 years old) and a non-intervention group (n=68, 62.7±9.8 years old), and compared with the non-Kurobe group (control group) (n=80, 51.9±13.6 years old). The survey design was a simple comparative study, and the primary endpoint was a comparative study of changes in constitutional scores before and after intervention. As a result, in the Yang-deficiency type, a significant difference was observed between the intervention group, the non-intervention group and the control group at the first time after the intervention (One-way ANOVA p=0.04). No change was seen in the second survey after the intervention. In the comparison of Phlegm-wetness type between the three groups, there was a tendency in the amount of change in the constitutional score (One-way ANOVA p=0.087). From the above, it was suggested that the constitutional survey can not only grasp the health and the pre-symptomatic state, but also improve the pre-symptomatic by combining the guidance methods according to the constitution.

Anti-tumor Activity and Survival Impact of Whole Adlay Hot Water Extract in Sarcoma Mouse Model / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Background: Adlay (Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) has been used both in traditional Chinese medicine and as a nourishing food based on its unique biological effects and highly nutritional values. In the present study, we investigated the anti-tumor effect of a hot-water adlay extract in sarcoma mice model. Materials and Methods: The hot water extract of whole adlay was orally administered to mice for one week, after which Sarcoma-180 cells (1×106) were subcutaneously implanted into the abdomen. Thereafter, the tumor growth was monitored and mouse survival was examined. Results: Tumor weights measured at 18 days were significantly lower in mice treated with extract (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) than those in control group (p<0.01). Moreover, mice treated with extract (100 mg/kg/day) showed apparently longer survival than control group evaluated until 32 days (p<0.05). Conclusion: These findings indicate that hot water adlay extract appears to have some anti-tumor effects in vivo insarcoma cells.

Evaluation and Interpretation of 9 Body Constitution Scores of CCMQ-J by Seven Independent Questionnaires / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

In this study, we proposed an approach to interpret the classification of body constitution based on the Japanese Version of Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire (CCMQ-J) in terms of an augmented questionnaire combining seven independent questionnaires. The augmented questionnaire consists of 254 questions in terms of seven categories of attributes, which are the (i) basic information (BI), (ii) disease (DI), (iii) social factors (SO), (iv) mental factors (ME), (v) dietary habits (DH), (vi) sleeping state (SL), and (vii) sub-health (SH). The partial least square (PLS) regression has been adopted to model the correlations between the scores of body constitutions and the questions, and their results show that the body constitution can be represented by the linear combination of the questions substantially (correlation coefficients between the true and predicted constitutions are all above 0.7). Moreover, by using the crowdsourcing technique in data collection, a total of 851 samples (350 males and 501 females between 20 and 85 years old) samples with diverse geographical backgrounds in Japan have been collected, from which new medical implications have been extracted through the discussion in a Traditional Chinese Medicine standpoint. This study serves as a crucial step for validating the philosophy of ancient Chinese medicine by the state-of-the-art information science techniques and facilitating the use of the CCMQ-J in public healthcare.

The Effects of Lactic Fermenting Beverage ANP71 on Defecation-An Open Clinical Trial- / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Objectives: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of lactic fermenting beverage ANP71 on defecation, blood pressure, immune function, constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and safety.Methods: An open Clinical study was conducted on 15 healthy adults (female 11, male 4). ANP71 150ml per day was administrated for 4 weeks. At week 0, 1 and 4, blood samples were collected. blood pressure, immune function and constitutionwere measured.Results:① Defecation amount and exhilarating feeling increased. Abdominal feeling of fullness decreased.② Decrease of blood pressure was observed. ③ The change of parameters of blood biochemistry was in normal range. ④ Humoral immunity was predominant(Th1/Th2 decreased). ⑤ In constitution of TCM, Gentleness type, Yang-deficiency type, Yin-deficiency type, Phlegm-wetness type, wet-heat type and Qi-depression type were improved. ⑥ No significant adverse events were observed.Conclusion: Lactic fermenting beverage ANP71 appears to have benefits in improving defecation and constitutional problems. Various other biological effects of ANP71 were also observed.

Trametes Robiniphila Murr. and Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Although introduced to Japan as a health food, Huaier granule emerged with abundant evidence, both from fundamental and clinical researches, and is being prescribed clinically in China, since it was originally developed as a new pharmaceutical. Huaier granule has a wide range of application and this review narrow down to the effects of it to hepatocellular carcinoma, the most reported one.

<b>Effects of Dietary Supplement Containing Kurozu Concentrate on Blood Pressure, QOL and TCM Constitution</b> / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<b>Objectives</b>: The present study was examined the effects of dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate on Blood Pressure, QOL and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Constitution. <b>Methods</b>: Forty subjects with slightly high blood pressure were assigned randomly to 2 groups (active group and placebo group). Kurozu-containing foods or the placebo was administered to the subjects daily for 12 weeks. At week 0, 6 and 12, blood samples were collected, physical measurements were taken, and the quality of life (SF-36v2) and TCM constitution were examined. <b>Results</b>: Significant differences on blood pressure and TCM constitution between the groups were observed at week 12. The change of QOL between the groups was observed significantly at week 6. <b>Conclusion</b>: These findings suggest that foods containing Kurozu have hypotensive action and improve effects on constitutional problems. In addition, it was confirmed that foods containing Kurozu are safe to ingest.

Application of Huaier Products to Noncancer-Related Fields / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

It has been almost ten years since Huaier products were first introduced to Japan as a health food. Due to its positive results on tumor treatment, Huaier became a notable Traditional Chinese Medicine and even, doctors of Kampo Medicine, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and Integrative Medicine in Japan are gradually becoming aware of it. In fact, Huaier products have also been confirmed to be effective against noncancer-related diseases, such as respiratory and kidney diseases. In this paper, we summarized and discussed in detail scientific evidences supporting its application to diseases other than cancer.<br>

A Study on the Useful Components of Adlay (<i>Coix lachryma-jobi</i> L. <i>var.ma-yuen</i> Stapf) / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Hot water extract of adlay (<i>Coix lachryma-jobi</i> L. <i>var. ma-yuen</i> Stapf) seed, commonly called Yokuinin, has been used as herbal medicine for treating verruca vulgaris, et al. Although there have been a number of studies on the usefulness of Yokuinin, the pharmacological assessment of its husk, pellicle, and astringent skin remains unclear. In this line, we evaluated the effect of methanol extract from all parts of adlay grain (seed, husk, pellicle, astringent skin) on cancer cells and identified its useful chemical components. Results revealed that a fraction of the extract have weak growth-suppressing activity on human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa cell). In particular, 5,7-dihydroxychromone and coixol were isolated and identified from the active fraction. This indicates the possible cancer chemopreventive efficacy of methanol extract from adlay. Moreover, further tests are needed to determine the role of 5,7-dihydroxychromone.<br>

Acute Oral Toxicity Test of Hot Water Extract of Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf in Rats / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Coix lacryma-jobi</i> L. var<i>.ma-yuen</i> Stapf (Coix seed) is a grass crop that has long been used in traditional medicine as a nourishing food. However, high-intake safety of the extract of the husks, pellicles and astringent skin of Coix seed has rarely been evaluated. We performed a safety test of hot water extract of all parts of Coix seed (CRD extract) in rats. CRD extract showed no significant toxicity on body weight, blood analyses, urinalysis and histopathological examination in acute toxicity tests.<br>

28-day Repeated Dose Oral Toxicity Test of Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf in Rats / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Coix lacryma-jobi </i>L. var<i>.ma-yuen</i> Stapf (coix seed) is a grass crop that has long been used in traditional medicine as a nourishing food. However, high-intake safety of the extract of the husks, pellicles and astringent skin of coix seed has rarely been evaluated. We performed a 28-day repeated dose oral toxicity test of hot water extract of all parts of Coix seed in rats. The extract showed no significant toxicity on body weight, blood analyses, urinalysis and histopathological examination in acute toxicity tests.<br>

Mutagenicity Test for Hot Water Extract of Coix lacryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf-Reverse Mutation Test, Mouse Lymphoma Assay (MLA) and Mouse Micronucleus Test / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

<i>Coix lacryma-jobi</i> L. <i>var. ma-yuen</i> Stapf is a grass long been used in traditional medicine as a nourishing food and reported to possess pharmacological effects including anti-tumor, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, etc. In order to evaluate the possible mutagenicity of the hot water extract of all parts (husks, pellicles, and astringent skin) of the food, we performed a reverse mutation test in bacteria, a mouse lymphoma assay and a mouse micronucleus test. The results of all tests were negative. It was concluded that the extract has no mutagenicity for living bodies.<br>

Pilot Study of Antioxidant Mixture (Vitamin E, Pycnogenol and Squalene) in Healthy Smokers: Inhibitory Effect on Oxidative DNA Damage / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

Oxidative stress is considered to contribute to degenerative disease. The urinary excretion of the DNA repair product 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is proposed as a noninvasive biomarker of current oxidative stress <i>in vivo</i>. We investigated the effect of an antioxidant mixture on urinary 8-OHdG excretions in 12 otherwise healthy smokers. During the intervention period for 2 weeks, subjects consumed four capsules of PICACE^® (Pycnogenol^® 15 mg/capsule, Vitamin E; 56.1 mg/capsule, Squalene; 138.9 mg/capsule) per day. On days 0 (pre-internal use), 3, 7, 14, and 44, morning urine samples were collected. The urinary 8-OHdG was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The urinary 8-OHdG level on day 3 was significantly reduced compared to day 0. The level of 8-OHdG after a washout period for PICACE^® (days 44) returned to day 0 baseline. These preliminary data suggest that PICACE^® supplements can protect smokers from oxidative stress and possibly reduce disease risk caused by free radicals associated with smoking.<br>

Permission of Foods for Specified Health Use (FOSHU) / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

The category “Food with Health Claim” contains “Food with Nutrient Function Claim” and “Food for Specified Health Use (FOSHU)”. The definition of “Food with Nutrient Function Claim” is “food used to supplement nutritional factors such as vitamins and minerals”. Once certain standards have been met, public sale of the item is possible. In concrete terms these requirements specify that the daily intake of the aforementioned nutritional factors must be within a certain range, as well as the display of health claims and warning labels.<br> At the same time, because FOSHU possess components capable of affecting physiological function, and their application is essentially as specific health foods, each food to be sold as FOSHU requires authorization from the Japanese Ministry of Health. In this article we focus on the various tests required for approval.<br>

QOL Improving Effects of Herbal Teas-A Preliminary Pilot Study on the Quality of Sleep- / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

The sleep-inducing effect and safety of an herbal tea containing valerian and lemon balm were subject to a preliminary open pilot study. Subjects were 14 female volunteers (age 35 ± 11, BMI 21 ± 3 kg/m²) who complained of poor sleep. After obtaining informed consent, subjects took daily 2 cups of herbal teas containing valerian and lemon balm for 1 week, followed by a control week, during which they had two cups of hot water. OSA sleep questionnaires and VAS scales were recorded every day. Sleep quality increased at the 2^nd day after starting the tea, and sleep induction and sleep maintenance were improved in particular. Those whose complaints were severe experienced greater relief than those who complaint a little. Some cases reported transient sleepiness and gastrointestinal complaints. However, these symptoms disappeared spontaneously. The safety and effectiveness of this sleep-inducing herbal tea was ascertained.<br>

Fundamental Perspective on Complementary and Alternative Medicine / 全日本鍼灸学会雑誌

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasing rapidly. CAM, as defined by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) in the USA, is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional Western medicine. NCCAM classifies CAM therapies into five categories, or domains; 1. Alternative Medical Systems (Traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda, Homeopathic medicine, Chiropractic, Naturopathic medicine, etc.), 2. Mind-Body Interventions (Meditation, Prayer, Mental healing, Art, Dance, Music therapy, etc.), 3. Biologically Based Therapies (Foods, Herbs, Vitamins, Dietary supplements, Aromatherapy, etc.), 4. Manipulative and Body-Based Methods (Chiropractic or Osteopathic manipulation, and Massage, etc.), and 5. Energy Therapies (Qi Gong, therapeutic touch, electromagnetic fields). In the USA, CAM use increased from 33.8% in 1990 to 42.1% in 1997. In Japan, 65.6% of adults used CAM. Furthermore, in the USA, 61.5% of the CAM users did not tell their doctors while 78.9% of the CAM users in Japan did not tell theirs. In Japan, the domain of dietary supplements is most important, followed by aromatherapy, traditional Chinese medicine (Kampo), Ayurveda, and electromagnetic fields. An Agaricus blazei Murill is the most popular dietary supplement. Many cancer patients take this mushroom. The aim of this paper is to determine the actual status of dietary supplements in Japan.