Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 79 (2), 169-175 (1999)


Antinociceptive Effect of Gosha-jinki-gan, a Kampo Medicine, in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Yasuyuki Suzuki (1), Kazuhiro Goto (1), Atsushi Ishige (1), Yasuhiro Komatsu (1) and Junzo Kamei (2)


(1) Kampo and Pharmacognosy Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1192, Japan
(2) Department of Pathophysiology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hoshi University, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 142-8501, Japan


Abstract: We evaluated the antinociceptive effect of Gosha-jinki-gan, a Kampo medicine including processed Aconiti tuber, and its mechanism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Gosha-jinki-gan (0.1 - 1.0 g/kg, p.o.) showed a more potent antinociceptive effect in diabetic mice than in non-diabetic mice. The antinociceptive effect of Gosha-jinki-gan (0.3 g/kg, p.o.) in diabetic mice was inhibited by administration of either anti-dynorphin antiserum (5 microg, i.t.) or nor-binaltorphimine (10 mg/kg, s.c.), a kappa-opioid antagonist. The antinociceptive activity of Gosha-jinki-gan (0.3, 1.0 g/kg, p.o.) was decreased by excluding processed Aconiti tuber. Furthermore, the antinociceptive effect of processed Aconiti tuber (0.03, 0.1 g/kg, p.o.) was also shown to be enhanced in diabetic mice. These results suggest that the increased antinociceptive effect of Gosha-jinki-gan in diabetic mice is partly derived from the action of processed Aconiti tuber and that it is based on stimulation of spinal kappa-opioid receptors via dynorphin release. Gosha-jinki-gan was considered useful for treating painful diabetic neuropathy.


Keywords: Gosha-jinki-gan, Antinociception, Diabetes, Processed Aconiti tuber, Dynorphin


Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1999

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