Rikkunshito improves anorexia through ghrelin- and orexin-dependent activation of the brain hypothalamus and mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway in rats.

Experimental study on neural mechanisms in rats

“Here, we aimed to investigate the central neural mechanisms underlying the orexigenic effects of RKT, focusing on the MDPW.”

Male rats

“We examined the effects of RKT on food intake and neuronal c-Fos expression in restraint stress- and cholecystokinin octapeptide-induced anorexia in male rats.”

RKT restored decreased food intake induced by stress and cholecystokinin octapeptide

“RKT treatment significantly restored stress- and cholecystokinin octapeptide-induced decreased food intake.”

RKT increased c-Fos expression in the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens

“RKT increased c-Fos expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), especially in tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons, and nucleus accumbens (NAc).”

RKT effects were suppressed by ghrelin and orexin receptor antagonists

“The effects of RKT were suppressed by the ghrelin receptor antagonist [D-Lys3]-GHRP-6.”