Effect of Rikkunshito, a Traditional Japanese Herbal Medicine, on Delayed Gastric Emptying and Oral Dietary Intake After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Prospective, Randomized, Single-Center, Open-Labeled Study

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Tumors and Potential Use of Traditional Herbal Medicine Formulations for Its Regulation

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are extracellular fibers composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and decorated proteins produced by neutrophils. Recently, NETs have been associated with the development of many diseases, including tumors. Herein, we reviewed the correlation between NETs and tumors. In addition, we detailed active compounds from traditional herbal medicine formulations that inhibit NETs, related nanodrug delivery systems, and antibodies that serve as "guiding moieties" to ensure targeted delivery to NETs. Furthermore, we discussed the strategies used by pathogenic microorganisms to evade NETs.

Ghrelin Enhancer, the Latest Evidence of Rikkunshito

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.