Open AccessDetermination of β‐ d ‐glucan and endotoxin levels in K ampo extracts
Author(s) -
Nakae Hajime,
Takahashi Gaku,
Sato Ryo,
Shibata Shigehiro,
Endo Shigeatsu
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
acute medicine and surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2052-8817
DOI - 10.1002/ams2.70
Subject(s) - glucan , chemistry , food science , beta glucan , distilled water , chromatography , biochemistry
Aims K ampo medicine is based on the use of established formulations combining natural extracts with no “brand‐name” products or corresponding “generic” formulation. Due to differences in manufacturing practices, products of different pharmaceutical companies may contain different concentrations of β‐ d ‐glucan and endotoxins. The aim of this study was to compare the concentrations of β‐ d ‐glucan and endotoxins in five K ampo extracts from four pharmaceutical companies. Methods Packages of K ampo extracts were dissolved in distilled water. β‐ d ‐Glucan and endotoxin concentrations were measured using high‐sensitivity kinetic turbidimetric L imulus assay. Results All K ampo extracts examined in this study were found to contain detectable concentrations of β‐ d ‐glucan and endotoxins. Significant differences in the concentration of β‐ d ‐glucan and endotoxins ( P = 0.0024 and P = 0.0013, respectively) were observed between products of different pharmaceutical companies. Conclusions High β‐ d ‐glucan and endotoxin contents were detected in K ampo extracts, with a large variability in the concentrations of both β‐ d ‐glucan and endotoxins among extracts from different pharmaceutical companies.