Eppikajutsuto (a Japanese herbal medicine) regulates mTOR and induces apoptosis in oral cancer cells

Abstract

AimThe effectiveness of Japanese traditional (Kampo) medicine is gradually attracting attention worldwide. It is typically known to be effective against cancer as a supportive therapy, but the antitumor effect of Kampo formulas is not fully established. We therefore evaluated the antitumor effect of eppikajutsuto.MethodsWe evaluated the antitumor effect of eppikajutsuto by cell viability assay, western blotting, and apoptotic cell assay using an oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line OSC‐19.ResultsWe found that the administration of eppikajutsuto to OSC‐19 in vitro inhibited cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and suppressed mTOR activation.ConclusionsThe results suggested that eppikajutsuto might exhibit antitumor effect against OSC‐19 in vitro by suppressing mTOR activation. However, additional studies in vitro and in vivo are required to confirm the antitumor effect of eppikajutsuto.

Effect of Japanese Kampo medicine, eppikajutsuto, in patients with lymphatic malformation

“…Although it is difficult to fully understand the mechanisms of its effects, the results of our study indicate that EKJT downregulated the protein expression of mTOR but did not regulate ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK1/2 in OSC19 expression. We observed that cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction depended on EKJT in vitro [7] . It is possible that EKJT exerts an effect on LM through mTOR suppression.…”

“…We observed that cell proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction depended on EKJT in vitro. [ 7 ] It is possible that EKJT exerts an effect on LM through mTOR suppression. In a previous report, alkaloids of Ephedra Herba showed anti-inflammatory effects and CaSO 4 of gypsum elevated aquaporin expression.…”

A case of refractory chylothorax treated with Eppikajutsuto

“…reported a 14‐year‐old boy with a central conducting lymphatic anomaly who had chylothorax that was responsive to sirolimus, which is a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor 2 . A recent study reported 3 that TJ‐28 exhibited an antitumor effect against oral squamous cell carcinoma cell in vitro by suppressing mTOR activation. As both TJ‐28 and sirolimus have an inhibitory effect on mTOR, we hypothesized that it might be effective in chylothorax.…”

Assessing the effects of Kampo medicine on human skin texture and microcirculation

“…Kampo medicine (traditional Japanese medicine) is a medical system that is rooted in ancient Chinese medicine, which has been systematically adapted to suit the climate, environment, and culture of Japan. The diagnostic approach applied in Kampo medicine has become popular worldwide and the treatment has achieved excellent outcomes for several diseases [ 1 , 2 ]. Recently, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the center of attention, and many studies have shown that Kampo medicine can reduce the incidence rate and severity of cases [ 3 , 4 ].…”