title: Therapeutic effects of Kyuki-chouketsu-in in restoring postpartum physical condition.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Osaka 568-8686, Japan. gyn003@poh.osaka-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Takahisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ushiroyama
authors.forename: Kou
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sakuma
authors.forename: Hekiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Souen
authors.forename: Gou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nakai
authors.forename: Shouko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morishima
authors.forename: Katsuyuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.forename: Ichiro
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Orino
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ueki
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D010120:Oxytocics; D004874:Ergonovine