Scientific evidence for therapeutic effects of Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu from pre-clinical animal experiments

Drug Discov Ther. 2017 Mar 22;11(1):6-14. doi: 10.5582/ddt.2016.01069. Epub 2017 Jan 26.

Abstract

Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu, comprised of six crude drugs, has received much attention due to its numerous biological activities. The present study reports therapeutic evidence for Kangen-karyu from pre-clinical animal experiments related to human diseases. Kangen-karyu showed beneficial effects on type 1 diabetes and related complications through the suppression of protein expression related to advanced glycation endproducts and oxidative stress. Kangen-karyu reduced oxidative stress via the regulation of dyslipidemia, and also exerted a renoprotective effect mainly through its antioxidant properties during the development of diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes. In addition, Kangen-karyu showed neuroprotective effects by attenuating the spatial memory impairment and neuronal death induced by diabetes. Kangen-karyu counteracted oxidative stress and ameliorated tissue damage possibly associated with aging. These findings provide scientific evidence to explain the efficacy of Kangen-karyu based on its underlying therapeutic effects.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Cognition Disorders / drug therapy
  • Dementia / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / drug therapy
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Kangen-karyu
  • Neuroprotective Agents