title: Effect of Traditional Japanese Medicine, Daikenchuto (TJ-100) in Patients With Chronic Constipation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was to compare the effect of a stimulant laxative alone and in combination with traditional Japanese medicine Daikenchuto (TJ-100) in improving stool frequency and in alleviating bloating and abdominal pain in patients with chronic constipation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-two patients with chronic constipation who required sennoside (24 - 60 mg daily) were allocated to two groups for treatment with 7.5 g /day (N = 14) or with 15 g/day (N = 8) of TJ-100. The study period was 12 weeks and consisted of 4 weeks (pretreatment phase) before the administration of TJ-100, 6 weeks (treatment phase) for the administration of TJ-100, and 2 weeks (washout period) after cessation of TJ-100. The bowel movement frequency and the dose of sennoside required were recorded during the study period. Bloating and abdominal pain and gastrointestinal symptoms rating scale were evaluated at 0, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. The gas volume score was measured at 0 week and 6 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The addition of TJ-100 to sennoside resulted in significant improvement in bloating (P < 0.01) and abdominal pain (P < 0.05). Its effects for abdominal pain were dose-dependent. There was no significant change in frequency of bowel movements or the dose of sennoside used. The gas volume score was significantly decreased after the addition of TJ-100 (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of a traditional Japanese medicine, TJ-100, reduced bloating and abdominal pain in patients with chronic constipation receiving stimulant laxatives, possibly by decreasing the bowel gas volume.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Center, Showa Inan General Hospital, Komagane, Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Horiuchi
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Center, Showa Inan General Hospital, Komagane, Japan; Department of Pediatrics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Center, Showa Inan General Hospital, Komagane, Japan; Department of Metabolic Regulation, Shinshu University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tanaka
keywords: Chronic constipation; Daikenchuto (TJ-100); Irritable bowel syndrome