Research the possibility of the traditional Japanese medicine"Rikkunshito" as the calorie restriction mimetic drug

日本传统药物“Rikkunshito（RKT）”的短期治疗增加血浆酰基-ghrelin，并通过下丘脑NPY表达刺激食物摄入。这种机制类似于卡路里限制（CR）。在本研究中，我们探讨了RKT作为热量限制模拟药物的可能性。慢性RKT治疗增加酰基-ghrelin水平，并增强氧化应激抵抗力，如CR的效果。然而，长期RKT治疗不能延长寿命。值得注意的是，从中老年开始的长期RKT治疗可显著降低白色脂肪组织质量，尽管RKT治疗老年模型的更详细情况和分子机制尚需明确，但其有望应用于减肥药物。

Short term treatment of traditional Japanese medicine “Rikkunshito (RKT)” increases plasma acyl-ghrelin, and stimulates food intake via hypothalamic NPY expression. This mechanism is similar to that of calorie restriction (CR). In this study, we investigated the possibility of RKT as the calorie restriction mimetic drug. Chronic RKT treatment increased acyl-ghrelin level, and enhanced oxidative stress resistance like the effect of CR. However, chronic RKT treatment could not extend lifespan. Interestingly, chronic RKT treatment from middle or old age significantly decreased white adipose tissue mass.Although it is necessary to clear more detail condition and molecular mechanisms of RKT treatment at the old age model, it is expected to apply anti-obesity drug.