“Oketsu” syndrome is the stagnation and disturbance of microcirculation. This paper focuses on the effect of traditional herbal medicine (Kampo medicine in Japan) on human cardiovascular function. These findings show that the anti-oketsu formulations can exert the ameliorative action for oketsu persons via decreasing augmentation index and central arterial blood pressure.
Tokishakuyakusan (TS, Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San), Kamishoyosan (KS, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San), Keisibukuryogan (KB, Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan) and Tokakujokito (TJ, Tao-He-Cheng-Qi-Tang) decoctions are the classical ancient formulas used for blood stasis. TS, KB and TJ decoctions first appeared in Shanghan Lun, which was published in the third century A.D. (Eastern Han Dynasty of China). KS decoction first appeared in Zhengzhi Zhunsheng, which was published in 1602 A.D. (Ming Dynasty of China).
Objective: In traditional herbal medicine (Kampo medicine in Japan), “sho” is diagnosed by the traditional assessments of clinical conditions. Among a variety of the shos, there is an “oketsu” syndrome, which is a stagnation and disturbance of microcirculation. The prompt effects of four anti-oketsu formulations in Kampo medicine on cardiovascular functions were compared in oketsu and non-oketsu persons. Methods: The arterial pulse wave from radial artery is formed by the combination with ejection and reflection pulses. An augmentation index (AI), a ration of the ejection and reflection pulses, indicates a degree of arteriosclerosis. For both seventy-six students with oketsu and thirty-seven students with non-oketsu, Kampo formulations overcoming oketsu of Tokishakuyakusan (TS, Dang-Gui-Shao-Yao-San), Kamishoyosan (KS, Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San), Keisibukuryogan (KB, Gui-Zhi-Fu-Ling-Wan) and Tokakujokito (TJ, Tao-He-Cheng-Qi-Tang) were taken once, and then, the cardiovascular functions including blood pressure, heart rate, central arterial blood pressure (CBP) and AI were examined for 60 min. Results: At 40-60 min after an intake, these formulations decreased the AI almost by 6-18% (n = 76), by 18.3±3.1% ( P < 0.01, n = 15) with TJ. Simultaneously, the CBP was reduced by 9.0±1.8% ( P < 0.05, n = 23) with KS and by 9.1±2.0% ( P < 0.05, n = 15) with TJ. On the other hands, non-oketsu group had less or no effect by any kinds of the formulations. Conclusion: The anti-oketsu formulations can exert the ameliorative action for oketsu persons via decreasing AI and CBP.
目的 比较四种活血化瘀方对瘀血人群和非瘀血人群心血管功能的影响。 方法 发射脉冲和反射脉冲形成桡动脉搏动波,其比值即反射波增强指数 (AI) 反映了动脉硬化的程度。根据瘀血证诊断评分标准把受试者分为瘀血组 (n = 76) 和非瘀血组 (n = 37),均口服抗活血化瘀方(当归芍药散、加味逍遥散、桂枝茯苓丸或者桃核承气汤),之后连续60分钟监测AI、血压、心率和中心动脉压。 结果 在服药后40-60 分钟,瘀血组的AI 降低6-18%,其中桃核承气汤组的AI 降低18.3±3.1% ( P < 0.01, n = 15)。同时瘀血组中心动脉压也降低,其中桃核承气汤治疗组中心动脉血压降低9.1±2.0% ( P < 0.05, n = 15),加味逍遥散组的中心动脉血压降低9.0±1.8% ( P < 0.05, n = 23)。所有处方对非瘀血组AI、血压、心率和中心动脉压没有显著影响。 结论 活血化瘀方能改善瘀血人群的动脉硬化。