Kampo medicines improved blood test and QOL in two vasculitis cases of Churg–Strauss syndrome and Henoch–Shönlein purpura after inadequate treatment with conventional therapies

Figures & data

Figure 1 Clinical course during hospitalization of Case 1.

Figure 2 Clinical course after discharge from the hospital of Case 1.

Figure 3 Clinical course after discharge from the hospital (continued from Figure 2) of case 1.

Table 1 Composition of herbs in Tokishigyakukagosyuyusyokyoto ()1 and the main function of respective herbs

Name of the herb (Japanese: Chinese), N (g/day)	Main function
Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Toki: dang gui), 3	Tonifies and invigorates the blood
Radix Paeoniae Lactiflorae (Syakuyaku: bai shao), 3	Strengthens the tonifying action of Toki
Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae (Keishi: gui zhi), 3	Warms the meridian and disperses cold
Herba cum Radice Asari (Saishin: xi xin), 2	Disperses both internal and external cold
Radix Glycyrrhizae Uralensis (Kanzo: gan cao), 1	Auguments the Qi and strengthens the Spleen
Fructus Zizyphi Jujubae (Taiso: da cao), 5	Auguments the Qi and strengthens the Spleen
Caulis Mutong (Mokutsu: mu tong), 3	Facilitates the flow in the channels and vessels
Fructus Evodiae Rutaecarpae (Gosyuyu: Wu zhu yu), 2	Warms the middle, disperses cold, promotes the movement of Qi
Zingiberis Officinalis Recens (dried Syokyo: heng jiang), 1	Release the exteriors and disperses cold

Notes:

1 Tangkuei decoction for frigid extremities plus evodia and fresh ginger (US name), Dang gui si ni jia wu zhu yu sheng jiang tang (Chinese name [pinyin]).¹³ N = mean weight of dried herbs (g/day). For Case 1, 2 g of Botanpi and Tonin and 0.5 g of Shachu and Suitetsu were added to the above prescriptions to decoct with water. Japanese and Chinese pronunciation are expressed in parenthesis.

Table 2 Composition of herbs in Orengedokuto () and the main function of respective herbs

Name of the herb (Japanese: Chinese), N	Main function
Rhizoma Coptidis (Oren: huang lian), 2	Clears heat and dries dampness
Radix Scutellariae (Ogon: huang qin), 3	Clears heat and dries dampness
Cortex Phellodendri (Obaku: huang bai), 1.5	Clears heat and dries dampness
Fructus Gardeniae Jasminoidis (Shishi: zhi zi), 2	Clears heat and eliminates irritability

Notes: Coptis decoction to relieve toxicity (US name¹⁸), Huang lian jie du tang (Chinese name).

N (see Table 1).

Table 4 Composition of herbs in Sanmotsuogonto () * and the main function of respective herbs

Name of herbs (Japanese: Chinese), N (g/day)	Main function in human
Radix Scutellariae (Ogon: huam qin)^Citation19,Citation6	Clears heat and dries dampness
Radix Rehmanniae (Shojio: sheng di huang)^Citation24,Citation3	Clears heat and cools blood. Nourishes the Yin and generates fluids
Radix Sopphorae (Kujin: Ku shen)^Citation25	Clears heat and dries dampness. Kills parasites and stops dampness and itching

Notes:

* Three herbs Baikal Skullcap decoction (alternative Japanese name).²³

Figure 4 Clinical course of case 2 during hospitalization.

Table 3 Composition of herbs in Keshibukuryogan ()* and the main functions of respective herbs

Name of herbs (Japanese: Chinese), N (g/day)	Main function
Ramulus Cinnamomi Cassiae (Keishi: gui zhi), 3	Unblocks the blood vessels and promotes blood circulation
Sclerotium Poriae Cocos (Bukuryo: fu ling), 3	Transforms phlegm and promotes urination, nourishes the Qi and calms the spirit
Radix Paeoniae (Syakuyaku: shao yao), 3	Relaxes spasms and alleviates abdominal pain
Cortex Moutan Radicis (Botanpi: mu dan pi), 3	Cools and invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis
Semen Persicae (Tonin: tao ren), 3	Invigorates the blood and dispels blood stasis

Notes:

* Cinnamon twig and Poria pill (US name), Gui zhi fu ling wan (Chinese name).²²

N (see Table 1).

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