Basic studies on combined used of cisplatin and Japanese kampo medicines, Sho-Saiko-To, Hochu-Ekki-To and Ninzin-Yoei-To

Effects of oral administration of Japanese Kampo medicines, Sho-saiko-to, Hochu-ekki-to and Ninzin-yoei-to on the toxic side effects of cisplatin was examined by using ddY male mice. After administration of Japanese Kampo medicines for 1 week or 1 month, we injected cisplatin 0.6 mg/kg i.p. for 7days. Significant depression of the body weight, increases of GOT, GPT and LDH in serum, and decrease of platelets were observed with only cisplatin administration. Daily consecutive oral administration of Hochu-ekki-to and Ninzin-yoei-to at a dosage of lg/kg/day showed a tendency to improve the depression of body weight by cisplatin. While, Shosaiko-to and Ninzin-yoei-to showed a tendency to suppress the elevation of GOT and LDH levels, respectively. These results suggest that pre-and post-administration of Japanese Kampo medicines are the most useful supporting drugs for prevention of the toxic side effects of cisplatin during cancer chemotherapy.