Impact of the use of Kampo medicine in patients with esophageal cancer during chemotherapy:a clinical trial for oral hygiene and oral condition

• Published in: The Journal of Medical Investigation Vol. 65; no. 3.4; pp. 184 - 190
• Main Authors: Moriyama, Satomi, Hinode, Daisuke, Yoshioka, Masami, Sogawa, Yuka, Nishino, Takeshi, Tangoku, Akira, Grenier, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan The University of Tokushima Faculty of Medicine 2018
• Subjects: Aged; Antineoplastic Agents - adverse effects; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Bacterial Load - drug effects; Campylobacter rectus - drug effects; Campylobacter rectus - pathogenicity; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - therapeutic use; esophageal cancer; Esophageal Neoplasms - drug therapy; Esophageal Neoplasms - microbiology; Esophageal Neoplasms - pathology; Female; Fusobacterium nucleatum - drug effects; Fusobacterium nucleatum - pathogenicity; gingival inflammation; Gingivitis - chemically induced; Gingivitis - prevention & control; Humans; Kampo medicine; Male; Medicine, Kampo; Middle Aged; Oral Hygiene; Periodontal Index; periodontopathogenic bacteria; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Stomatitis - chemically induced; Stomatitis - prevention & control; Kampo medicine; esophageal cancer; periodontopathogenic bacteria; gingival inflammation
• ISSN: 1343-1420; 1349-6867
• DOI: 10.2152/jmi.65.184

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the use of two Kampo medicines on oral mucositis, tongue coating bacteria, and gingiva condition in patients with esophageal cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods:Twenty‐three esophageal cancer patients who receive chemotherapy at Tokushima University Hospital, were included. The participants, who received professional oral healthcare, were randomly divided into three groups:7 subjects received Daiokanzoto sherbets, 7 subjects received Hangeshashinto sherbets, and 9 subjects received nothing (control). The numbers of total bacteria and specific periodontopathogenic bacteria in tongue coating were determined in addition to clinical parameters. Results:No difference on the onset of oral mucositis was found among the three groups. However, tongue coating index, gingival index (GI), plaque index, the number of total bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Campylobacter rectus were decreased during chemotherapy. More specifically, GI as well as the number of F. nucleatum and C. rectus were decreased significantly in the Daiokanzoto group when compared to the control group (psize 8 < 0.05). No such differences were observed for the group receiving Hangeshashinto. Conclusion:This clinical trial showed that Daiokanzoto might be effective in attenuating gingival inflammation and reducing the levels of periodontopathogenic bacteria in patients with esophageal cancer. J. Med. Invest. 65:184‐190, August, 2018