Basic research on kampo therapy for developmental abnormalities of neuropsychiatric functions

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K07119
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 47050:Environmental and natural pharmaceutical resources-related
• Research Institution: Setsunan University
• Principal Investigator: Araki Ryota 摂南大学, 薬学部, 講師 (90710682)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 矢部 武士 摂南大学, 薬学部, 教授 (40239835)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 発達障害 / 漢方薬 / 腸内細菌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In clinical, various kampo medicines have been used for developmental disorders. In this study, basic research was carried out to clarify how kampo medicines alleviate the symptoms of developmental disorders.
In isolation-reared mice, kamiuntanto was shown to suppress symptoms such as hyperactivity, but its effects may be more symptomatic.
In mice with impaired sociability due to disruption of the gut microbiota, it was shown that decreased expression of Reg3 family, antimicrobial peptides, in the ileum may be indirectly involved in abnormal brain development. Furthermore, hochuekkito was found to be a kampo medicine that induces the expression of the Reg3 family in the ileum.

Free Research Field

神経精神薬理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

臨床において、様々な漢方薬が重い副作用を伴わずに発達障害に対して有効性を示す症例が報告されており、漢方薬が発達障害治療の選択肢の１つになり得るものと考えられる。しかしながら、根拠に基づく医療が重視される現代医療では、科学的根拠に乏しい漢方薬が十分に活用されているとは言い難い。本研究成果をさらに発展させることにより、精神症状に対して対症療法的に使用できる漢方薬や、腸内細菌叢の乱れている発達障害に対して腸の異常から精神機能の異常を改善できる漢方薬を科学的に示せるものと考えられる。