Elucidation of improving effects of a traditional Japanese herbal formula, hochuekkito, comprising Atractylodis rhizoma, on T‐cell‐mediated intestinal mucositis in mice

Hochuekkito has been used for gastrointestinal immune depression. Among its 10 herbal components, Atractylodis rhizoma (AtR) and Atractylodis lanceae rhizoma (ALR), and also Hedysari radix (HR) and Astragali radix (AR), can be interchanged based on the patient's symptoms. However, the difference between these formulas for improving gastrointestinal immune depression is not clear. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of AtR‐ and ALR‐hochuekkkito on a T‐cell‐mediated systemic and small intestinal mucosal inflammation model. We also analyzed the active ingredients and mechanism of action of AtR‐hochuekkito on the antiapoptotic effect in the Fas/FasL‐mediated signaling cascade on intestinal epithelial cells.