Rikkunshito, a traditional Japanese medicine, suppresses cisplatin-induced anorexia in humans

Figures & data

Figure 1 Crossover study design. Patients in group A initially took oral Rikkunshito before every meal for 3 weeks (on treatment). After a rest period of 2 weeks, Rikkunshito was discontinued for 3 weeks (off treatment). Conversely, patients in group B initially were off treatment for 3 weeks and then on treatment for 3 weeks after the rest period.

Table 1 Background of patients

Patient	Age (years)	Sex	Tumor	PS	Group
1	55	M	Recurrent	1	A
2	61	F	Unresectable	0	A
3	67	M	Recurrent	0	B
4	71	M	Unresectable	0	A
5	52	M	Unresectable	1	A
6	72	M	Recurrent	0	B
7	50	F	Unresectable	1	B
8	62	M	Unresectable	0	B
9	67	M	Recurrent	1	A
10	61	M	Unresectable	0	B

Abbreviation: PS, performance status.

Figure 2 Plasma concentration of acylated ghrelin. In the Rikkunshito-on period (Rikkunshito [+]), no decrease of plasma concentration of acylated ghrelin was observed before and after administration.

Abbreviation: NS, not significant.

Figure 3 Comparison of the amount of oral intake. The average oral intake in the Rikkunshito-on period was significantly larger than that in the Rikkunshito-off period.

Note: *P = 0.0496.

Figure 4 Comparison of the grade of anorexia. The grade of anorexia (0–4) was significantly lower in the Rikkunshito-on period than in the Rikkunshito-off period.

Note: *P = 0.0441.

Figure 5 Comparison of the grade of nausea. The difference in the grade of nausea (0–3) was not significant.

Abbreviation: NS, not significant.

Figure 6 Comparison of the grade of vomiting. The difference in the grade of vomiting (0–4) was not significant.

Abbreviation: NS, not significant.

Figure 7 Kaplan–Meier curves of time to treatment failure. The number of cases of treatment failure in the Rikkunshito-off period was nine, whereas that in the Rikkunshito-on period was five.

Abbreviation: NS, not significant.