Effect of Shakuyaku‐kanzo‐to in patients with muscle cramps: A systematic literature review

Abstract

Background Previous clinical studies have reported that Shakuyaku‐kanzo‐to (SKT) has a therapeutic effect on muscle cramps, but few studies have clarified how SKT acts to treat muscle cramps. The aim of this study was to perform an updated systematic review of clinical trials for SKT in patients with muscle cramps. Methods The literature was systematically reviewed to assess the effects of SKT in patients with muscle cramps. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and Ichushi‐Web were searched using the terms “Shakuyaku‐kanzo‐to” (“shakuyakukanzoto”, etc), “clinical trials” and “muscle cramps”. Two quality assessments were conducted independently by three authors. Data were extracted using a standardized extraction tool, and a qualitative synthesis of evidence was performed. Results Three randomized controlled articles were identified and enrolled in this study. A systematic review, but not a meta‐analysis, was performed because of the high heterogeneity and limited number of studies. In patients with liver cirrhosis, the odds ratio (OR) for improvement with SKT compared to placebo was 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.445‐2.086) and compared to Goshajinkigan was 0.81 (95%CI, −1.734‐0.114). The OR for improvement with SKT compared with eperisone hydrochloride in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis was 2.86 (95%CI, 0.980‐4.744). Conclusions Current evidence appears insufficient to allow a meta‐analysis of the effects of SKT, but SKT might show efficacy in treating muscle cramps in patients with cirrhosis or lumbar spinal stenosis.

Integrating Chinese Herbal Medicine into Conventional Care Was Related to Lower Risk of Sarcopenia Among Rheumatid Arthritis Patients: A Retrospective, Population-Based Study

“…In clinical practice, this remedy is commonly employed in treating muscle cramps as well as crampy pain. 28 Some recent studies using both animal models and human patients observed that SYGCT was beneficial in attenuating the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines by modulating the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway. 29 , 30 Not only being a key marker of inflammatory response, NF-κB is often considered one of the most critical muscle transcription factors, since its activation provokes muscle loss and muscular dystrophy.…”

Harmonizing Formula Prescription Patterns in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

“…Jia-Wei-Xiao-Yao-San has been demonstrated that it can adjust the abnormal gastric motility and gastric myoelectrical activity of patients with functional dyspepsia ( Qu et al, 2010 ). Shao Yao Gan Cao Tang, a frequently prescribed harmonizing formula in CKD, is efficacy in relieving muscle pain or skeletal muscle tremors in patients undergoing hemodialysis or with cirrhosis or lumbar spinal stenosis ( Hinoshita et al, 2003 ; Ota et al, 2020 ). Our findings suggest symptoms involving the digestive system composite the main syndromes for typical harmonizing formulas prescription ( Table 2 ).…”

Review of Traditional Chinese Medicines for Common Complications Related to Hemodialysis: An Evidence-Based Perspective

“…It was found that the potassium level had increased to 5.8 mEq/L at the end of treatment in only one patient. As mentioned in an earlier systematic review of muscle cramps by Ota et al [45], they also suggest that patients be monitored for pseudoaldosteronism during long-term use of SYGCT.…”