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Journal of Gastroenterology

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Open Access 01-06-2014 | Original Article—Alimentary Tract

Daikenchuto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, ameliorates postoperative ileus by anti-inflammatory action through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

Authors: Mari Endo, Masatoshi Hori, Hiroshi Ozaki, Tetsuro Oikawa, Toshihiko Hanawa

Published in: Journal of Gastroenterology | Issue 6/2014

Abstract

Background

Daikenchuto (DKT), a gastrointestinal prokinetic Japanese herbal medicine, is prescribed for patients with postoperative ileus (POI) and adhesive bowel obstruction following abdominal surgery. Several mechanisms for the amelioration of POI by DKT have been suggested; however, it has remained unclear whether DKT shows anti-inflammatory effects in POI. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DKT in a mouse POI model and attempted to clarify the detailed mechanisms of action.

Method

Intestinal manipulation (IM) was applied to the distal ileum of mice. DKT was administered orally to the animals 4 times before and after IM. Gastrointestinal transit in vivo, leukocyte infiltration, cytokine mRNA expression and gastrointestinal motility were analyzed. We also investigated the effects of the α7nAChR antagonist methyllycaconitine citrate (MLA) on the DKT-mediated ameliorative action against POI, and we studied the effects of DKT on inflammatory activity in α7nAChR knockout mice.

Results

DKT treatment led to recovery of the delayed intestinal transit induced by IM. DKT significantly inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils and CD68-positive macrophages, and inhibited mRNA expressions of TNF-α and MCP-1. MLA significantly reduced the anti-inflammatory action of DKT, and the amelioration of macrophage infiltration by DKT was partially suppressed in α7nAChR knockout mice.

Conclusions

In conclusion, in addition to the gastrointestinal prokinetic action, DKT serves as a novel therapeutic agent for POI characterized by its anti-inflammatory potency. The DKT-induced anti-inflammatory activity may be partly mediated by activation of α7nAChR.

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Title: Daikenchuto, a traditional Japanese herbal medicine, ameliorates postoperative ileus by anti-inflammatory action through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Mari Endo
Masatoshi Hori
Hiroshi Ozaki
Tetsuro Oikawa
Toshihiko Hanawa
Publication date: 01-06-2014
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Journal of Gastroenterology / Issue 6/2014
Print ISSN: 0944-1174
Electronic ISSN: 1435-5922
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-013-0854-6

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Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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