Review Article
Current scenario for the hepatoprotective effects of Inchinkoto, a traditional herbal medicine, and its clinical application in liver surgery: A review
Yukihiro Yokoyama,
Masato Nagino,
Corresponding Author
Yukihiro Yokoyama
Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Correspondence: Dr Yukihiro Yokoyama, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMasato Nagino
Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorYukihiro Yokoyama,
Masato Nagino,
Corresponding Author
Yukihiro Yokoyama
Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Correspondence: Dr Yukihiro Yokoyama, Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Showa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorMasato Nagino
Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Inchinkoto (ICKT) is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines as a hepatoprotective agent. Among the numerous chemical compounds included in ICKT, geniposide is the most abundant component. Geniposide, after p.o. intake, is converted to the active metabolite genipin by intestinal bacteria and is absorbed in the portal circulation. The biological properties of ICKT and genipin have been studied in numerous experiments. Administration of ICKT or genipin exerts choleretic effects through upregulation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 in hepatocytes. ICKT also exerts an anti-apoptotic action through inhibition of transforming growth factor-β1- or tumor necrosis factor-α-dependent signaling pathways. The excessive inflammatory response induced by various hepatic stresses is also attenuated by ICKT pre-administration. Moreover, ICKT upregulates antioxidant enzymes in the liver under conditions of oxidative stress. These experimental results suggest potential benefit of ICKT in liver disease and particularly in hepatic surgery, which justify further well-designed controlled clinical study. To date, however, clinical data regarding the benefit of ICKT for liver surgery are rare. This review article summarized and discussed recent evidence relating to the hepatoprotective effects of ICKT in the field of basic and clinical science.
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