Treatment with Kampo medicine (Keigai-rengyo-to or Sho-saiko-to) and Minocycline for Dengue Fever

Treatment with Kampo medicine and Minocycline for Dengue Fever

抄録

Dengue virus causes approximately 390 million infections annually and presents clinical symptoms ranging from mild dengue fever to severe, life‑threatening forms. Despite its global impact, no specific antiviral treatment is currently available. Because developing new antiviral drugs is costly and time‑consuming, repurposing traditional herbal medicines and existing drugs offers a practical alternative. Kampo medicines, including Kakkon‑to, Sho‑saiko‑to, Saiko‑keishi‑to, and Keigai‑rengyo‑to, contain plant‑derived compounds with reported anti‑Dengue virus activity. Several ingredients found in Keigai‑rengyo‑to—such as baicalin, glycyrrhizin, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, berberine, and naringenin—have demonstrated inhibitory effects on Dengue virus replication in vitro or in silico. Keigai‑rengyo‑to is widely used in Japan for otolaryngeal and inflammatory conditions and is inexpensive and accessible. Minocycline, an approved antibiotic, also suppresses Dengue virus replication by reducing viral RNA synthesis, envelope protein expression, and infectious virion production. Considering the antiviral properties of both Keigai‑rengyo‑to and minocycline, their combined use may offer enhanced therapeutic potential against Dengue virus infection. However, clinical trials are necessary to determine optimal dosing, treatment duration, efficacy, and safety before these therapies can be recommended for broader clinical application.