Effectiveness of the Herbal Medicine <i>Daikenchuto</i> for Radiation-Induced Enteritis

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Radiation-induced enteritis is a serious clinical problem for which there is currently no recommended standard management. Daikenchuto (DKT) is a Japanese herbal medicine that has been used to treat adhesive bowel obstruction in Japan. This report describes a patient with radiation-induced enteritis whose clinical symptoms were much improved by treatment with DKT. METHOD: The patient was administered DKT, a traditional Japanese herbal formula, orally (2.5 g 3 times daily). Abdominal distention was evaluated objectively with computed tomography. RESULTS: Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with radiation-induced enteritis were controlled successfully with DKT treatment. CONCLUSIONS: DKT treatment may be useful for the management of radiation-induced enteritis.