Ian E Cock1,2,*
1School of Environment and Science, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
2Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Nathan Campus, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, Queensland, AUSTRALIA.
DOI: 10.5530/pc.2023.3.22
ABSTRACT
Duiakenchuto (DKT) is one of the most commonly used herbal remedies in Japanese Kampo medicine, particularly for digestive complaints.1,2 It is a poly-herbal preparation, which consists of Ginseng radix (commonly known as ginseng), Zanthyoxylum fructus (Japanese pepper) and Zingiberis siccatum rhizome (ginger), mixed with maltose powder. Despite its common usage, rigorous scientific evaluations of its effects are lacking. A research group from Yokohama City University, Japan recently published a study reporting substantial reductions in dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis in a murine model, whilst maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal symbiotic microbiome (including Lactobacillaceae spp.).3 DKT also induced increases in colon levels of the bacteria-derived immunomodulatory compound propionate, as well as protecting the integrity of the colon muscoa. It exerted these effects by upregulating Fut2 (a fucosyltransferase gene), as well as Reg3g (an antimicrobial peptide gene). Notably, DKT also increased the levels of group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s), which were decreased in colitis. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that DKT reduces the effects of experimentally induced colitis, and downregulates colonic inflammation. Read more…