New Approach Using Traditional Japanese Medicine and Minocycline for Influenza Treatment
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 03, 2025 1 month, 2 days, 17 hours, 20 minutes ago
Medical News: Researchers from the Department of Internal Medicine at JCHO Hokkaido Hospital in Japan have proposed a new treatment for influenza by combining Kampo medicine, a traditional Japanese herbal therapy, with the antibiotic minocycline. This innovative approach aims to tackle the growing issue of antiviral drug resistance in influenza treatment.
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New Approach Using Traditional Japanese Medicine and Minocycline for Influenza Treatment
Influenza is typically treated using three main classes of antiviral drugs: M2 inhibitors like amantadine, neuraminidase inhibitors such as oseltamivir, and cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors like baloxavir marboxil. However, over time, the influenza A virus has developed resistance to these drugs, making them less effective. To address this challenge, researchers are now looking at multidrug treatments, combining different types of medicines for improved results.
This
Medical News report highlights how Kampo medicine and minocycline could offer a potential alternative solution to combat influenza, especially for drug-resistant strains.
The Role of Kampo Medicine in Influenza Treatment
Kampo medicine is based on traditional Chinese medicine but has developed its own unique approach in Japan. It consists of plant-based ingredients known for their therapeutic properties. Several Kampo formulas, such as Mao-to, Kakkon-to, Sho-seiryu-to, Sho-saiko-to, and Saiko-keishi-to, have long been used to treat influenza and common colds. These formulas contain natural extracts like Ephedra herb, Glycyrrhiza, Ziziphus jujuba, Bupleurum root, and others that have demonstrated antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects.
Previous studies have shown that Kampo medicine can inhibit the spread of influenza viruses, reduce inflammation, and strengthen the body's immune response. For example, Ephedra herb has been found to slow the proliferation of influenza A viruses, while Ziziphus jujuba extract can help suppress virus-triggered inflammation and oxidative stress. Similarly, Glycyrrhiza extract has been shown to prevent viral entry into cells and block inflammatory responses.
Minocycline as a Potential Anti-Influenza Agent
Minocycline, a widely used tetracycline antibiotic, has recently been found to have antiviral properties. It works by interfering with the influenza virus’s ability to replicate and spread in the body. Research has shown that minocycline can prevent viral ribonucleoproteins from leaving the nucleus, a critical step in virus assembly and proliferation. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory effects that can help reduce symptoms associated with influenza infections.
Because of its dual antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, minocycline has been explored as a potential treatment for viral infections beyond its traditional antibiotic use. Notably, it has been studied in combination with Kampo medicine for treating COVID-19, showing promising results.
Combining Kampo Medicine and Minocycline for Influenza<
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The researchers suggest that combining Kampo medicine with minocycline could provide a powerful alternative to conventional antiviral drugs. This multidrug approach works by using different mechanisms to target the influenza virus, potentially making treatment more effective while reducing the risk of drug resistance. The combination of herbal components with an antibiotic may offer added benefits, particularly for patients with influenza who are at risk of secondary bacterial infections.
Studies have already indicated that Kampo medicine can be as effective as oseltamivir in treating influenza symptoms. By adding minocycline to the treatment regimen, researchers hope to enhance its effectiveness even further, offering a solution for cases where standard antiviral medications fail.
Potential Benefits and Future Implications
The combination of Kampo medicine and minocycline offers several potential benefits for influenza treatment:
-Enhanced Effectiveness: The dual-action approach targets both the virus and the inflammation it causes.
-Lower Resistance Risk: Using multiple treatments reduces the chances of the virus developing resistance.
-Natural and Accessible: Kampo medicine is derived from plant-based sources and has been safely used in Japan for centuries.
-Useful for Drug-Resistant Cases: This alternative treatment could be valuable for patients who do not respond to existing antiviral drugs.
Despite these promising prospects, further clinical studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of this combination treatment in humans. If successful, this approach could change the way influenza is treated, particularly in regions where conventional antiviral drugs are becoming less effective.
Conclusion
As the influenza virus continues to evolve and develop resistance to conventional treatments, finding new therapeutic options is crucial. The combination of Kampo medicine and minocycline offers a promising alternative that leverages both traditional and modern medicine. By integrating herbal-based antiviral properties with an established antibiotic, researchers hope to create a more effective treatment strategy for influenza, particularly in cases where current drugs no longer work.
While more clinical trials are necessary to fully validate these findings, this approach has the potential to provide relief to millions of people affected by influenza each year. If proven effective, it could reshape influenza treatment strategies worldwide, offering a natural and effective solution to one of the most persistent viral illnesses.
The study findings were published on a preprint server and are currently being peer reviewed.
https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202501.1957/v1
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Medical News.
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