Effect of hangebyakujutsutemmato on pregabalin‐induced dizziness in a rat model of neuropathic pain

Abstract

Aim: This study investigated the efficacy of hangebyakujutsutemmato (HBT) in alleviating disturbances of equilibrium using a rat pregabalin model of neuropathic pain with dizziness. Pregabalin is effective for treating neuropathic pain, but some patients cannot tolerate continued treatment owing to dizziness resulting from pregabalin, especially shortly after beginning treatment. HBT is a Japanese kampo medicine that is used to treat dizziness. Methods: Rats with chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve (Bennett and Xie model) underwent the beam balance test to evaluate their sense of equilibrium. The animals were divided into four groups, as follows: pregabalin (50 mg/kg) + HBT (1 g/kg; PH), n = 8; pregabalin (50 mg/kg; P), n = 8; HBT (1 g/kg; H), n = 8; and water (N), n = 8. Pregabalin and HBT treatments were initiated 9 days following injury. Results: On postoperative day 10 (POD10), the day after starting drug treatment, there was a significant difference in the crossing time between PH and P (P < 0.01). The crossing time in group P recovered to a level similar to the other groups on POD16. Conclusion: HBT alleviated the disturbance of equilibrium resulting from pregabalin in a rat model of neuropathic pain. This suggests that HBT may also alleviate dizziness and/or accelerate recovery from dizziness due to pregabalin treatment in humans.

Effects of Kampo medicine hangebyakujutsutemmato on persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: A retrospective pilot study

“…shows the components and effects of HBT. HBT was shown to alleviate inner ear immune injury in a rat model[ 19 ] and disturbance of equilibrium resulting from pregabalin in a rat model of neuropathic pain[ 19 ]. The components of HBT have various pharmacological effects on vertigo/dizziness/vomit/nausea.…”

“…Regarding its potential as a therapy for PPPD, HBT has been reported as a potential treatment for CSD[ 13 , 16 , 17 ]. In addition, some reports indicated that HBT was effective in preventing dizziness caused by opioids[ 18 ] or pregabalin[ 19 ]. Thus, HBT is a promising drug based on its demonstrated effects on dizziness.…”

Microbial Community Structure and Chemical Constituents in Shinkiku, a Fermented Crude Drug Used in Kampo Medicine

“…After mixing these materials, the mixture is fermented for a few days and subsequently dried to obtain shinkiku ( 1 ). Although shinkiku is manufactured in only China or Korea, it is also used in Japanese Kampo medicine as a component of “ Hangebyakujutsutemmato (半夏白朮天麻湯),” which is used to treat dizziness and nausea ( 2 , 3 ). Along with the increase in the consumption of Hangebyakujutsutemmato , the demand for shinkiku has also increased in recent years in Japan ( 4 ).…”