Herbal Medicine Ninjin'yoeito in the Treatment of Sarcopenia and Frailty

Introduction

In Japan, society is aging at an unprecedented rate, substantially changing the social system and disease distribution. Nationwide and community-wide efforts have been made toward ensuring healthy longevity, and paradigm shifts have occurred at various levels. Accordingly, frailty has received attention in preventive medicine practice. The average life span in Japan was reported as 80.98 years in men and 87.14 years in women (Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 2018). These values continue to increase. The difference between an average life span and healthy life expectancy, namely, the point at which routine daily life becomes limited, is reportedly 8.84 years in men and 12.35 years in women in Japan. These values have remained largely unchanged for a decade. Prevention and treatment of frailty to extend a healthy life expectancy prior to the need for nursing care is a huge challenge in developed societies. In herbal medicine practice, including Kampo medicine in Japan, “Mibyo,” a presymptomatic state, has long been recognized as similarly to frailty. Use of Kampo medicine, especially Ninjin'yoeito (Ren Shen Yang Ying Tang), has been considered for frailty conditions.

Diagnosis and Pathologies of Frailty

At around 60 years old, we may experience rapid loss of muscle mass and a relative increase in fat mass associated with aging, leading to atrophy of the skeletal muscles (sarcopenia) (1–3). These conditions increase the risk of falls and fractures, requiring long-term care.

The Japan Geriatrics Society defined frailty as a state of increased vulnerability in elderly people before the need for long-term care (2014, Figure 1Aa). On the other hand, the Society on Cachexia and Wasting Disorders lists disease progression as one of the diagnostic criteria for frailty (Figure 1Ab), indicating that frailty is more consistent with a syndrome encompassing a variety of physical and mental pathologies, with an emphasis on motor function. The prevalence of frailty is estimated to be about 30% in persons over the age of 80 (2). Frailty can be observed in both malnutrition and overnutrition states and can develop into a vicious cycle known as frailty cycle/cascade, leading to a need for long-term care [(2, 3); Figure 1B]. Physical impairment leads to psychological vulnerability, with depression and cognitive impairment, and vice versa. Depression worsens sarcopenia through excessive secretion of adrenal cortical hormones and/or reduction in physical activity (6–8). Locomotive syndrome is defined as age-related muscle weakness (sarcopenia) and deterioration of motor function due to articular/spinal disease or osteoporosis (4, 9). Although frailty is a psychosomatic pathology and can be divided into physical, social, and cognitive/psychological frailty, locomotive syndrome can be viewed as a clinical condition similarly to physical frailty, with an emphasis on locomotive organs.

FIGURE 1

Figure 1. (A) Diagnostic Criteria for Frailty by Fried et al. (4) (a) and Society on Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (b). In both guidelines, frailty is defined as the presence of at least 3 of 5 criteria, with sarcopenia (atrophy of skeletal muscles) as the basis. Frailty may be close to a presymptomatic state Mibyo in Kampo medicine. The Society on Cachexia and Wasting Disorders (a) lists disease aggregation as one of the diagnostic criteria, with frailty cases ranging from mild to severe. Frailty represents a wide range of clinical conditions that encompass emaciation as well as obesity. The appropriate permissions have been obtained from the copyright holders, Sameshima et al. (5). (B) Frailty Cascade/Cycle. Either overnutrition or malnutrition can precipitate frailty, in which both physical and psychological vulnerabilities are likely to be seen. Depression and cognitive impairment are either the causes or results of frailty. The presence of depression, for example, not only has a negative effect on treatment, but also worsens sarcopenia by inducing excessive secretion of adrenal cortical hormones or extreme reduction in physical activity. The appropriate permissions have been obtained from the copyright holders, Kuzuya (2).

Sarcopenia is associated with age-related hormonal changes (decreased growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor [GH/IGF-1] and testosterone) and reduced activity (due to a sedentary lifestyle or osteoarthritis). Cachexia is based on sarcopenia and associated with a variety of diseases that may underlie frailty. Proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, are important in cachexia (10, 11), and may activate the ubiquitin-proteasome system to promote protein catabolism. In contrast, anti-inflammatory cytokines or IGF-1 promote synthesis of muscle proteins or regeneration of muscle fibers. The corticotropin-releasing factor/glucocorticoid system activated by stress or proinflammatory cytokines are other catabolic pathways involving the gut-brain axis [(11); Figure 2A].

FIGURE 2

Figure 2. (A) Mechanism of Sarcopenia: Positive and Negative Regulators of Skeletal Muscle. Underlying mechanisms of sarcopenia have become increasingly understood through research on brain-gut interactions. Proinflammatory cytokines activate ubiquitin ligases that cause destruction of muscle. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)/glucocorticoid system, insulin resistance, and decreased androgen levels promote sarcopenia, while the hunger hormone, ghrelin, released from the stomach, and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) exerts a trophic action on muscle. MuRF1, muscle ring-finger protein 1; MAFbx, muscle atrophy F-box protein (Atrogin-1); IGF-1, insulin-like growth factor 1; Ang II, angiotensin II; NPY, neuropeptide Y; AgRP, agouti-related peptide; POMC, pro-opiomelanocortin; CART, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated peptide; CRF, corticotrophin-releasing factor; 5-HT, serotonin; PVN, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus; ARC, arcuate nucleus; LHA, lateral hypothalamic area; HC, glucocorticoids; GH, growth hormone. The appropriate permissions have been obtained from the copyright holders, Amitani et al. (11). (B) Components and Active Ingredients of Ninjin'yoeito and their Effects. Many reports have described the role of ginsenosides/saponins from ginseng root on the efficacy of Ninjin'yoeito. Other reported effects include those of ingredients derived from Atractylodes lancea rhizome and Polygala root on energy metabolism and cognition/emotion. C. unshiu peel, Poria, Glycyrrhiza root, and panaxadiol derived from ginseng root improve ghrelin signaling underlying the mechanism of action of Ninjin'yoeito, leading to appetite stimulation and improvement in sarcopenia. Ninjin'yoeito stimulates bone marrow hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells that may be involved in repair and regeneration of organs and tissues. The appropriate permissions have been obtained from the copyright holders, Inui (3) and Sameshima et al. (5). GHSR, growth hormone secretagogue receptor; NPY-R, NPY receptor; 5HT2cR, 5-HT2c receptor; BDNF, Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; GnRH, Gonadotropin releasing hormone; GHRH, Growth hormone releasing hormone.

Frailty and Kampo Medicine – With a Focus on Ninjin'yoeito

In the search of PubMed electronic database using the key words: “Ninjin youeito” and “human” or “Ninjin'youeito.” Eighteen and eleven literatures were identified, respectively. We excluded literatures written in Japanese, reviews, animal experiments, and in vitro experiments using human cells from the identified literatures. Seven literatures were extracted (Table 1) (12–25).

TABLE 1

Table 1. Clinical studies of Ninjin'yoeito.

In elderly individuals, polypharmacy is often problematic and may lead to adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Frailty is likely to involve multiple organ systems and may be a good target for multicomponent herbal medicine. Hozai comprises a group of Kampo formulations that restore vitality to patients who have lost psychological and physical energy due to various diseases including cancer. Hozai formulations include Juzentaihoto, Hochuekkito, and Ninjin'yoeito. Kampo theory may regard frailty as Jinkyo, which means dysfunction of Jin, and is associated with production of Ki. Ki is universal energy and a basic element of life in Kampo theory. Rehmannia root, a component of Ninjin'yoeito, is often used to treat Jinkyo, which is related to frailty, and is contained in Juzentaihoto and Ninjin'yoeito, but not in Hochuekkito. Citrus unshiu peel is contained in Hochuekkito and Ninjin'yoeito, but not in Juzentaihoto. Polygala root and Schisandra fruit are only contained in Ninjin'yoeito. In cancer palliative medicine, Juzentaihoto or Hochuekkito tend to be prescribed initially, and in serious cases are replaced with Ninjin'yoeito.

Among other crude drugs, ginseng has been used since ancient times. Panax ginseng was historically thought to promote immortality, which was sought by the first Qin Emperor. It was imported to Japan in the eighth century, in the era of Emperor Shomu, and has become one of the main components in Ninjin'yoeito. Ninjin'yoeito was frequently used for serious diseases in the Edo Period. The Heji Jufang, compiled during the Song Dynasty, states that Ninjin'yoeito is indicated for weakness due to overwork or illness, dullness of the extremities, sharp musculoskeletal pain, shortness of breath, intense low back pain, emptiness and anxiety, thirst and dry mouth, depressive mood, and lethargy, leading to a condition that is difficult to treat. It is also indicated for lung and large intestine symptoms, including cough, sputum production, diarrhea, and vomiting.

In the Journal of Kampo to Kanyaku, Domei Yakazu, who was committed to the restoration of Kampo Medicine in the twentieth century, during the Showa period, stated that Ninjin'yoeito can be used for cachexia of cancer, suggesting that it is the most powerful Hozai (3). Ninjin'yoeito is now widely used in the field of palliative medicine, including cancer treatment (3, 26, 27). Ninjin'yoeito increases the rate of remission in advanced gynecological cancer, as assessed by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (26). Ninjin'yoeito is used to prevent toxicity (such as impaired hematopoiesis) associated with anticancer drugs or radiotherapy, and can improve appetite, fatigue, general health status, and even survival. Ninjin'yoeito enhances the therapeutic efficacy of melphalan in multiple myeloma and reduces general malaise (27). Ninjin'yoeito also treats decreased appetite and fatigue in Sjögren's syndrome (28). Many reports on the clinical benefits of Ninjin'yoeito describe improvement of general health status in elderly (29) or postoperative patients (30), amelioration of disordered protein synthesis in hepatic cirrhosis (31) or of diabetic complications such as neuropathy (32), and recovery from anemia (33, 34) or thrombocytopenia (31, 35). In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a major underlying cauthese of cachexia, Ninjin'yoeito treats appetite loss, weight loss, and respiratory symptoms, and improves nutritional status and immune function (36). Ninjin'yoeito, but no other Hozai such as Juzentaihoto and Hochuekkito, treated cough, sputum production, and insomnia. Ninjin'yoeito is effective in control of infection after knee joint replacement (37), and increases bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, treats anosmia resistant to glucocorticoid treatment, and is effective in male infertility. Ninjin'yoeito improves cognitive function and depression in patients with Alzheimer's disease when added to treatment with donepezil (18). There are also many reports suggesting its potential usefulness in home health care and frailty (3).

Effects of Ninjin'yoeito and Mechanism of Action

Ninjin'yoeito is composed of 12 crude drugs: peony root, Japanese angelica root, C. unshiu peel, Astragalus root, cinnamon bark, ginseng, Atractylodes rhizome, Glycyrrhiza, Rehmannia root, Schisandra fruit, Poria sclerotium, and Polygala root. The main components of this formulation include glycyrrhizic acid, derived from Glycyrrhiza; paeoniflorin from peony root; ginsenosides from ginseng; hesperidin from C. unshiu peel; atractylenolide III from Atractylodes rhizome; isoastragaloside (HQ1/2) from Astragalus root; tenuigenin from Polygala; and schizandrin from Schisandra fruit (Table 2) (38–58). Glycyrrhizic acid has anti-inflammatory effect and has been clinically applied in treatment of chronic hepatic diseases. Paeoniflorin is known to suppress intracellular Ca²⁺ influx and relieves muscle pain. In tumor-bearing animal models treated with anticancer drugs, Ninjin'yoeito not only improves food intake and sarcopenia, but also prolongs survival (59, 60). Ninjin'yoeito may improve the signs of aging and significantly extend survival time in approximately 30% of Klotho-deficient senescence-accelerated mice (59, 60).

TABLE 2

Table 2. Effective components and indications of crude herbs in Ninjin'yoeito.

Ginseng, a component of Ninjin'yoeito, shows antifatigue and antidepressant effects in a forced swim test (61). Ginseng may decrease the signs of aging in a senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP8) (3). Ginsenosides, active compounds from ginseng, are reported to have a wide variety of effects. Ginsenosides ameliorate memory disturbance induced by amyloid beta (62). In a vascular dementia model (middle cerebral artery ischemia/reperfusion), ginsenoside Rg2 improves hemiplegia and memory impairment (63). These results suggest that ginseng has neuroprotective effects. Ginsenoside Rb2 inhibits the decrease in bone mineral density in the femur and 4th lumbar vertebra in ovariectomized mice through the suppression of oxidative stress and osteoclastic cytokines (64). Ginsenoside Rd ameliorates arteriosclerosis and reduces atherosclerotic plaques through inhibition of voltage-independent Ca channels in Apo-E-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet (65). Protopanaxatriol, a metabolite of ginsenoside Rg2, improves insulin resistance (66). Ginsenoside Rg3 suppresses testosterone-induced prostatic hypertrophy and growth of prostate cancer cells through inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling (67).

C. unshiu peel inhibits amyloid beta-induced neurite atrophy and apoptosis of neural cells. Its components, including hesperidin and narirutin, have been reported to improve cognitive function by promoting reformation of the myelin sheath that is lost during aging (18). Hesperidin treats appetite loss and sarcopenia via suppression of the serotonin pathway and recovery of ghrelin secretion in the stomach [Figure 2A; (68)]. The improvement of sarcopenia by ghrelin can be attributed to the activation of the GH/ IGF-1 system (69).

Atractylodes rhizome inhibits cell death by improving mitochondrial activity and intracellular ATP production (70, 71). This protective effect could be important since oxidative stress is considered basic to the pathophysiology of aging (72). Atractylenolide III, a component of Atractylodes rhizome, has been reported to ameliorate depression-like symptoms and memory impairment by increasing the expression level of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and Creb and BDNF in the hippocampus (71).

Adiponectin has been reported to have protective effects on atherosclerosis, and mice with over-expressed adiponectin show prolonged survival, even with a high-fat and high-sucrose diet through inhibition of oxidative DNA damage (73). Astragalus root enhances insulin sensitivity via increase of adiponectin, especially its highly-potent high-molecular-weight form (74) and may prevent atherosclerosis.

Polygala root and its main component, tenuigenin, promote the growth and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells (75). It has been reported to improve cognitive function in adults and elderly subjects in clinical studies (76, 77), and is approved as an over-the-counter drug.

Schisandra fruit promotes elimination of fatigue substances, such as lactate and ammonia, from the blood, and increases endurance during exercise on a treadmill via upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α, an important factor in skeletal muscle metabolism (78). Schisandra fruit increases blood estradiol, uterus estrogen receptor-α and -β, and uterine weight in an ovariectomized post-menopausal model, although it inhibits the proliferation of breast cancer cells (79). Schizandrin is a main component of Schisandra fruit.

Ninjin'yoeito is thus expected to reduce physical and psychological vulnerability related to feeding, immunity, emotion, and cognition, which are oftendisturbed in frailty patients (Figure 2B). Ninjin'yoeito could be widely applicable in mild to severe cases of frailty (3).

Combination Therapy and Adverse Drug Reactions Due to Kampo Medicines

Kampo medicines are composed of a wide variety of crude drugs with pleiotropic effects on the psychosomatic syndrome of frailty, and Ninjin'yoeito is expected to form the basis of these medicines. Recently, Kracie Pharma Ltd. reported special drug use survey results on ADRs associated with Ninjin'yoeito Extract Granules in patients aged ≥65 years (80). The population under analysis consisted of 808 patients (210 males and 598 females, mean age of 77.8 ± 7.35 years; 538 and 262 patients with and without comorbidities; and 664 and 130 taking or not taking concomitant drugs). The incidence of ADRs was 3.09% (25 patients), and gastrointestinal disorders were most common, reported by 17 patients (2.10%). Overall, there were no significant sex-related differences, and approximately 70% of the reported ADRs occurred within 2 months of starting Kampo formulation (80). Given the low and similar incidence of ADRs associated with placebo, the medication should even be safe in the elderly.

In addition, the combined use of Ninjin'yoeito with other Kampo medicines may enhance the effects of therapy. The addition of Yokukansan and Yokukansankachimpihange treats the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD); Rikkunshito is added for gastrointestinal symptoms, Hangekobokuto for aspiration symptoms, Hachimijiogan/Goshajinkigan for prostate symptoms, and Goshajinkigan for osteoarthritis or spondylosis in severe cases with pain or numbness (81–90). Although Kampo medicines are likely to cause fewer ADRs than modern medicine, multi-combination use requires caution and should be limited to 2 medicines.

Conclusions

This review describes the clinical application of Kampo medicine in frailty, with a focus on Ninjin'yoeito. As in metabolic syndrome, prevention and treatment of frailty requires diet/exercise, behavioral modification, and utilization of public healthcare resources. Given the progression to a super-aged society, paradigm shifts at both individual and societal levels are needed. The concept of “Mibyo,” a presymptomatic disease state in Kampo medicine, may be a good place to start and frailty could be an important candidate for intervention. It is important to evaluate this presymptomatic state from a scientific perspective to determine how preventive Kampo medicine should be provided. In western medicine Galen is the first to indicate the importance of diet in slowing the aging process (91), and very recently geroprotectors that delay many diseases related to aging are being considered for healthy longevity (92, 93).

Antiaging studies have rapidly evolved, and the mechanisms behind frailty and aging have become increasingly understood. Ninjin'yoeito acts on hematopoietic stem cells to promote the growth and differentiation of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets in animals and humans (3, 94, 95). We recently found that Polygala root, Schisandra fruit, ginseng, Rehmannia root, and C. unshiu peel, which are characteristic herbal components of Ninjin'yoeito, promote the growth and differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (66). The components of Ninjin'yoeito may thus be important for their effects on stem cells that may migrate and regulate brain functions associated with feeding and emotion (96–98). Ninjin'yoeito also increases hippocampal neural stem cells (75). These effects on tissue stem cells may underlie the pleiotropic actions on Ninjin'yoeito and suggest its use for frailty.

Author Contributions

NU wrote the manuscript. NU and AI conceived and organized the structure of the review. NR and KA contributed to the first draft. HA, YA, YS, MS, MA, and AI contributed to critical revision and approved the final manuscript for publication.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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