From Traditional Formulas to Modern Science
Professor Naotoshi Shibahara's Kampo Medicine Exploration Journey
At the intersection of Eastern medicine and Western science, a Japanese professor is using modern experimental methods to unravel the mysteries of ancient Kampo formulas, revitalizing traditional wisdom.
In September 2022, at the Nishan World Forum on Traditional Chinese Medicine, a Japanese scholar shared the stage with numerous Chinese academicians and master traditional physicians. He is Professor Naotoshi Shibahara from Japan's University of Toyama, who has dedicated years to researching Kampo medicine using modern scientific methods, helping the international academic community better understand and accept the value of traditional Kampo medicine5 .
Modern Keeper of Kampo Medicine
Academic Background
Professor Shibahara is a Kampo diagnostics professor at the Institute of Natural Medicine at the University of Toyama, where he has long engaged in clinical and basic research on Kampo diagnostics1 3 .
He graduated from the University of Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty of Medicine and has worked in the Kampo medicine field since 1986, accumulating nearly 40 years of research experience1 .
Professional Roles
As director of the Japan Society for Kampo Medicine, councilor of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine, and chairman of the Specialist System Committee, Professor Shibahara holds a pivotal position in Japan's Kampo medicine community3 .
He has received the Kampo Medicine Society Award, the Toyama Medical Society Hokuriku Branch Award, and the Precision Measurement Technology Promotion Foundation Quality Engineering Silver Award, reflecting his exceptional contributions to the field3 .
What is Kampo Medicine?
Definition & Origin
Kampo Medicine is Japan's traditional medical system, originating from Chinese traditional medicine but developing its own distinctive characteristics over time. It emphasizes "pattern-based treatment" rather than "symptom-based treatment," selecting treatment plans based on the patient's overall condition and patterns1 .
Treatment Approach
Unlike modern Western medicine, Kampo medicine emphasizes a holistic view and personalized treatment. Physicians comprehensively understand the patient's condition through the four diagnostic methods of observation, listening, questioning, and palpation, rather than focusing solely on specific symptoms4 .
Professor Shibahara believes the unique value of Kampo medicine lies in its holistic and personalized treatment approach. His research team has been dedicated to demonstrating the usefulness of Kampo pattern-based treatment through clinical and basic research1 .
Diverse Research Directions
Professor Shibahara's research spans broad and in-depth areas, primarily focusing on two directions: clinical research and basic research1 .
Clinical Research
- Objectification of Kampo medical conditions and clinical findings
- Improvement effects of Kampo pattern treatment on insomnia
- Comparative study of Chinese medicine and Kampo medicine diagnostics1
Basic Research
- Mechanism of action of Kampo formulations
- Effects of adding/removing ingredients in Kampo formulations
- Effects of combining Western and Kampo medicines1
These studies not only help clarify the mechanism of action of Kampo medicines but also provide scientific basis for rational clinical medication, improving treatment efficacy and safety.
Key Experiment: Exploring Goreisan's Anti-Diarrhea Mechanism
Professor Shibahara's team conducted in-depth research on the classical Kampo formula Goreisan (Five Ingredient Powder with Poria), particularly focusing on its mechanism for improving diarrhea effects6 .
Experimental Methods & Steps
Model Establishment
Researchers first established diarrhea model animals (rats), then administered Goreisan extract6 .
Monitoring
By monitoring intestinal water metabolism and related indicators, they evaluated Goreisan's effects6 .
Protein Analysis
The experiment particularly focused on aquaporins (AQPs) role in Goreisan's regulation of water metabolism6 .
Molecular Biology
The team used molecular biology techniques and protein analysis methods to detect changes in aquaporin expression and distribution6 .
Breakthrough Results & Significance
The study found that Goreisan can improve diarrhea symptoms by regulating the expression and function of intestinal aquaporins6 . This indicates that traditional Kampo medicines can exert therapeutic effects by influencing molecular-level mechanisms.
Professor Shibahara reported these findings at the 2017 Kampo Medicine Society conference, attracting widespread attention from peers6 . This research provides a modern scientific explanation for Goreisan's traditional applications, building a bridge between traditional and modern medicine.
Modern Research on Keishibukuryogan
Besides Goreisan, Professor Shibahara has conducted in-depth research on other Kampo medicines. In a 2015 academic lecture at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, he introduced basic and clinical research on Keishibukuryogan (Cinnamon and Poria Pill)3 .
His team discovered that Keishibukuryogan demonstrates significant effects in treating diabetic nephropathy, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-peroxidation, and improving blood stasis patterns3 .
These findings expand traditional Kampo applications, providing more treatment options for modern diseases. Professor Shibahara's team is actively exploring clinical efficacy to enable fuller application of Kampo medicines in clinical treatment3 .
Major Kampo Medicines Researched by Professor Shibahara
| Kampo Medicine Name | Traditional Application | New Applications Discovered |
|---|---|---|
| Goreisan | Edema, diarrhea, dizziness | Regulating water metabolism through aquaporins6 |
| Keishibukuryogan | Gynecological diseases, blood stasis patterns | Diabetic nephropathy, atherosclerosis3 |
| Kikito建中汤 | Weak constitution, fatigue recovery | Accelerating pressure ulcer healing6 |
Scientist's Toolkit: Key Technologies in Kampo Research
Professor Shibahara's team uses various modern scientific techniques to make traditional Kampo research more objective and scientific.
Research Reagents & Solutions
- Cell models: Using proximal renal tubular epithelial cell lines to observe Kampo ingredient effects under hypoxic conditions6
- Animal models: Using accelerated aging mice (SAMP8), pressure load ulcer rat models, and diabetic model animals to evaluate Kampo medicine pharmacological effects6
- Proteomic analysis: Analyzing patient serum through proteomic technology to objectively evaluate acupuncture treatment effects6
- LC-MS technology: Used to analyze chemical components in Kampo medicines and their metabolic dynamics in vivo7
- Molecular biology techniques: Including PCR, Western blot, etc., to detect gene expression and protein level changes6
Key Reagents & Tools in Kampo Research
| Research Tool | Specific Application | Value in Kampo Research |
|---|---|---|
| Proteomic analysis | Objective evaluation of acupuncture treatment effects6 | Objectively quantifying traditional treatment effects |
| Cell models | Evaluating Kampo ingredient effects on HIF-1α activity under hypoxic conditions6 | Studying Kampo medicine mechanisms under controlled conditions |
| Animal models | Evaluating Kikito efficacy in ulcer rat models6 | Evaluating Kampo medicine effects at whole-animal level |
| Machine learning | Computer target protein exploration for Kampo ingredients6 | Efficiently predicting Kampo medicine target sites |
International Cooperation & Exchange
Professor Shibahara actively participates in international cooperation and exchange, visiting Chinese research institutions multiple times.
2015
Invited to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, delivering an academic lecture titled "Basic and Clinical Research on Keishibukuryogan"3
2018
Visited a Guangxi hospital, touring the outpatient smart pharmacy and CyberKnife treatment center, learning about the "CyberKnife + chemotherapy + Chinese medicine" comprehensive therapy in cancer treatment8
These international exchange activities promote mutual learning and common development between China and Japan in the field of traditional medicine, advancing the internationalization process of Kampo medicine.
Future Prospects of Kampo Medicine
With changing health concepts and shifts in medical models, Kampo medicine is facing new development opportunities. Professor Shibahara believes that demonstrating the usefulness of Kampo pattern treatment through clinical and basic research is crucial1 .
Future Development Directions
- Objectification of conditions and clinical findings
- Scientific evaluation of pattern treatment effects
- Clarification of Kampo medicine mechanisms of action
- Organic integration with modern Western treatments1
Professor Shibahara's Research Directions & Achievements
| Research Direction | Specific Content | Representative Achievements |
|---|---|---|
| Kampo mechanism | Goreisan's effects on aquaporins6 | Clarifying molecular mechanism of Goreisan's anti-diarrhea effects |
| Clinical evaluation | Keishibukuryogan efficacy for diabetic nephropathy3 | Discovering new indications for Kampo medicines |
| Diagnostic objectification | Kampo medical condition objectification research1 | Developing objective indicators for Kampo diagnosis |
| Quality evaluation | In vivo dynamics of crude drug active ingredients3 | Ensuring Kampo medicine quality and stability |
Professor Shibahara also participates in "traditional medicine database" construction work, laying the foundation for Kampo medicine's modernization and internationalization6 .
Bridging Tradition and Modernity
Today, Professor Naotoshi Shibahara still serves as a professor in the Pharmaceutical・Kampo Department of the University of Toyama's Academic Research Division, continuing to be active at the forefront of research6 .
His work spans tradition and modernity, connecting East and West, just like the mission of the University of Toyama's Institute of Natural Medicine—verifying ancient wisdom with scientific methods, enabling Kampo medicine to play a greater role in the global medical field.
With the arrival of the personalized medicine era, Kampo medicine's emphasis on "pattern treatment" personalized treatment理念 is gaining new vitality1 .