Therapeutic effects of Kyuki-chouketsu-in in restoring postpartum physical condition.
The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Kyuki-chouketsu-in, a Japanese traditional herbal medicine, in restoring postpartum physical condition. We enrolled 171 women who had a normal delivery in Osaka Medical College Hospital or its affiliated clinics, and randomly assigned them to the following two groups: a group of 85 women who received Kyuki-chouketsu-in at a dose of 6.0 g/day (Group K), and a group of 86 women who received ergometrine (methylergometrine maleate) at a dose of 0.375 mg/day (Group E). The height of the uterine fundus, blood hemoglobin concentration and biochemical blood values were determined until day 6 postpartum. The height of the uterine fundus was significantly lower in women of Group K (8.9 +/- 2.4 cm) than in those of Group E (10.5 +/- 2.7 cm) on day 5 postpartum (p = 0.071). A significant difference between Groups K and E was noted in change in blood hemoglobin concentration between days 1 and 6 postpartum (4.6 +/- 7.2% in Group K; -1.57 +/- 7.3% in Group E). Significant differences between Groups K and E were noted in decrease in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration and increases in serum total protein (TP) and albumin concentrations between days 1 and 6 postpartum. No adverse effects were observed in this study. The results of our study demonstrate the beneficial effects of Kyuki-chouketsu-in on physical recovery in the postpartum period. Kyuki-chouketsu-in can be expected to improve the health of women in the postpartum period. Biopharmacological research and clinical trials to investigate the properties of this drug in detail are warranted.
Ushiroyama
Takahisa
T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka 568-8686, Japan. gyn003@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
Sakuma
Kou
K
Souen
Hekiko
H
Nakai
Gou
G
Morishima
Shouko
S
Yasuda
Katsuyuki
K
Orino
Ichiro
I
Ueki
Minoru
M
D000328:Adult; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004874:Ergonovine / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010120:Oxytocics / Q000494:pharmacology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014590:Uterine Contraction / Q000187:drug effects*; D016387:Women's Health
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010120:Oxytocics; D004874:Ergonovine