The effects of a new kampo formula, Hogen-ou, on psychological distress and low-grade inflammation - A placebo-controlled double-blind study

We manufactured a new kampo formula, Hogen-ou (HGO), a combination of Hogento (Baoyuantang in Chinese) and Bezoar bovis, expecting that HGO might be able to control stress. Apparently healthy volunteers were allocated either to the active (the HGO group, n=22) or to the placebo group (n=25) in a double-blind manner. Subjects in the HGO group took 3g of HGO per day for 12 weeks; those in the placebo group took indistinguishable placebo. At weeks 0 (the start of the study), 4, 8, 12 (the end of the study), the 30-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-30) was administered. Blood samples were also collected. Blood chemistry including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was assessed; blood cells were counted. There were no changes in GHQ-30 between two groups. No changes were detected in blood chemistry either. However, leukocyte counts were significantly lowered in the HGO group compared with the placebo group. We suggest that HGO had anti-inflammatory effects on low-grade inflammation in apparently healthy subjects.