Abatract:Many of the diseases are multifactorial and still difficult to treat by only modern medicines,however Kampo medicines,which contain multiple ingredients due to component herbs,seem to be suitable for recovery of such complicated symptoms because these ingredients may attack multiple target sites to improve the symptoms caused by disturbance of whole body system.In Japan,148 standardized Kampo pharmaceutical preparations have been developed,and covered by national health insurance system,and more than 80% practicing physicians have experience of using the Kampo medicines for the treatment depending on patient′s clinical situation,either separately or to complement modern western medicines.In present paper,I′d like to introduce few examples of our studies on elucidations of pharmacological actions and active ingredients of Kampo medicines as multi-ingredients drugs.Although Kampo medicines have been taken orally as the decoction,their hot water extracts contain not only low molecular ingredients but also high molecular ingredients like polysaccharides.Our recent studies suggest that Hochuekkito(HET:Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang)prevents respiratory infection through potentiation of mucosal immune system in upper respiratory tract,and certain pectic polysaccharides were identified to involve in potentiation of the immune response.It was also clarified that synergic action of two stereoisomers are required for the oral adjuvant activity of Shoseiryuto(SST:Xiao-Qing-Long-Tang).Like examples of the studies of Kososan(KS:Xiao-Su-San)and SST,proteomic analysis of disease model animals using agarose 2-DE is also useful another approach to find target protein candidates.These accumulated comprehensive results may contribute for more evidence-based clinical application.