Administration of Herbal Complexes, Dangguijakyak-san (TJ-23) and Coix Seeds, for Treating Verruca Planae: A Case Report

Verruca planae (VP) are warts caused by the human papillomavirus. Many patients develop resistance to the conventional therapy for these lesions. Therefore, alternative therapies are needed. We encountered a patient with VP who showed resistance to conventional therapy and was subsequently treated with Dangguijakyak-san (TJ-23; Tsumura, Japan; and Tokishakuyakusan in Japanese) and coix seed tablets with favorable outcomes. A 29-year-old woman had typical VP on her left upper extremity for >11 years. She had been receiving conventional therapies such as immunotherapy with diphenylcyclopropenone, and tretinoin and imiquimod ointments. However, her VP symptoms persisted. Therefore, she was given herbal medication therapy consisting of Dangguijakyak-san (TJ-23) and coix seeds (500mg coix seed extract; Kracie, Japan). At the four-month follow-up, the papules were found to have disappeared. Therefore, we stopped the TJ-23 + coix seed therapy. Until September 2014, the patient has had no recurrence. We believe that Dangguijakyak-san with coix seeds remedy can have an effect on the immune system and consequently treat VP.