Efficacy of keishibukuryogan for hot flashes in prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy: a sub-analysis focusing on hormonal and cytokine levels.

Hot flashes were inversely correlated with estradiol and progesterone levels. TJ-25 was more effective in patients with higher TNF-α and IL-8 levels, with no significant change in serum levels caused by the treatment. The suggestive mechanism for the effects of keishibukuryogan is that this drug doesn't suppress the production of IL-8 and TNF-α, but may inhibit some actions of these cytokines.