ArticleEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2019
Kihito, a Traditional Japanese Kampo Medicine, Improves Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Patients.
Article in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers.
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Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 28 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy and safety of Kami-guibi-tang for mild cognitive impairment: a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2021Trial
- Ginger Bioactives as Multi-Target Therapeutics: Mechanisms, Delivery Innovation, and Human Health Impact.Nutrients · 2026Review
- Current Utilization and Research Status of the Herbal Medicine Guibi-Tang and Its Variants for Cognitive Impairment: A Scoping Review.Nutrients · 2025Article
- Polypharmacology and Neuroprotective Effects of Gingerol in Alzheimer's Disease.Molecular neurobiology · 2025Review
- Herbal medicine and acupuncture for mild cognitive impairment: a retrospective study of 2,242 for older adults in Republic of Korea.Frontiers in neurology · 2025Article
- Unveiling the therapeutic potential of natural products in Alzheimer's disease: insights fromFrontiers in pharmacology · 2025Review
- Efficacy of Kami Guibi-tang as an Add-On Therapy to Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor for Cognitive Function in Mild Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2023Article
- Traditional East Asian Herbal Medicine Treatment for Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Review
- An exploratory, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial of hachimijiogan for mild Alzheimer's disease.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022Article
- Potential Role of Ginger (Frontiers in nutrition · 2022Review
- Kihito prevents corticosterone-induced brain dysfunctions in mice.Journal of traditional and complementary medicine · 2021Article
- Treatment evaluation of Kami Guibi-tang on participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment using magnetic resonance imaging on brain metabolites, gamma-aminobutyric acid, and cerebral blood flow.Journal of applied clinical medical physics · 2021Article
- Impacts of Drug Interactions on Pharmacokinetics and the Brain Transporters: A Recent Review of Natural Compound-Drug Interactions in Brain Disorders.International journal of molecular sciences · 2021Review
- Effectiveness and Safety of the Korean Medicine Senior Health Promotion Program Using Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture for Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Retrospective Study of 500 Patients in Seoul, Korea.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2021Article
- Article
- Natural Medicines and Their Underlying Mechanisms of Prevention and Recovery from Amyloid Β-Induced Axonal Degeneration in Alzheimer's Disease.International journal of molecular sciences · 2020Review
- Korean Traditional Medicine in Treating Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Multicenter Prospective Observational Case Series.Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM · 2020Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
aimsWe previously reported that the administration of traditional Japanese medicines, kihito (Gui-Pi-Tang in Chinese) and kamikihito (Jia-Wei-Gui-Pi-Tang in Chinese), to Alzheimer's disease (AD) model mice improved memory impairment. There are a few reports that show kihito and kamikihito have a beneficial effect on the cognitive function of AD patients in clinical studies. However, these studies are not comparative and are retrospective studies; thus, more evidence is needed. Therefore, we conducted an open-label, crossover designed clinical trial to investigate the effect of kihito on cognitive function of AD patients.
methodsThe inclusion criteria for eligible patients were as follows: (1) imaging diagnosis (magnetic resonance imaging and single-photon emission computed tomography) of AD, (2) a treatment regimen including acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), and (3) a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥15. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) change in ChEI dosage, (2) memantine usage, and (3) MMSE score < 15. To prevent bias in age and baseline cognitive function, patients were divided into two groups: the first group received 2.5 g of kihito extract 3 times/day during the first half of the study (weeks 0-16) and the second group received the same dose of kihito during the second half of the study (weeks 17-32). ChEI dosage did not change during the study period. Patients underwent a cognitive function test during weeks 0, 16, and 32. Cognitive function was evaluated by Japanese versions of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-J) and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS-J) test.
resultsTen patients completed the clinical trial (4 males, 6 females, average age 71.7 years). MMSE-J scores significantly increased during the kihito intake period. RBANS-J test scores had a slight improvement during the kihito intake period compared with the ChEI alone treatment period, but no significant changes were observed.
conclusionKihito improves cognitive function in AD patients.
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.