Effects of Jiawey Siwu on rat activity

Abstract: Jiawey Siwu (JS) is a modified formula of Siwu with the addition of Ginseng Radix and Eucommiae Cortex. We studied the CN event of JS on pentobarbital-induced hypnosis in ICR mice after acute oral administration. We also investigated the motor activity and exercise performance results of JS in SD rats after subchronic (12 days) and chronic (8 weeks) oral administration with an activity cage and rotarod, respectively. The duration of pentobarbital-induced hypnosis was significantly decreased in mice after acute oral administration of 021 105 or 42 g/kg J The time of ambulatory activity and time upon the rotarod significantly increased in rats after subchronic and chronic oral administration of 105 g/kg J respectively. These issues indicate that JS potentially increased the excitability of the CN in mice, as well as increasing motor activity and physical endurance in rats.

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Siwu is a Chinese herbal medicine compos of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Rehmanniae Radix et Rhizoma, Ligustici Rhizoma, and Paeoniae Lactiflorae Radix. It has been used clinically for centurys of years in China to reparative females of dysmenorrhea, anemia, and debility etc Studies showed that water extracts of Siwu are rich in metal ultimate parts such as iron, copper, and zinc (Lu et al., 1990; Lu et al., 1991; Yuan et al., 1991) The velocity of isovolumic contraction of cardiac muscle, the maximum rate of left ventricular compressing change and left ventricular systolic crushing were increased by Siwu tang in normal rats (Li and Zheng, 1995) Ozone-induced unrestrained radical damage in mice could be relieved by means of a Siwu decoction (Gong et al., 1993) The Siwu decoction that was reported to enhance the activity of [Na.sup.+], [K.sup.+]-ATPase and [Ca.sup.2+], [Mg.sup.2+]-ATPase in RBC membranes in life-current deficiency patients was associated with the event of enriching the blood (He et al., 1996) These studies indicated that Siwu could nourish the material substance promote blood circulation, delay aging, and rout weakness.

Jiawey Siwu (JS) is a modified formula of Siwu, with the addition of Ginseng Radix and Eucommiae Cortex. Motor activity was enhanced in mice after long-term administration of ginseng (Itoh et al., 1989) The biosynthesis of serum protein was also stimulated in mice with administration of a ginseng saponin mixture (Oura et al., 1975) the pair stimulatory and inhibitory effects upon the conditioned avoidance response in rats have been shown with Ginseng treatment (Saito et al., 1977) The extract of Eucommiae Cortex was reported to effectively increase collagen synthesis in a false ageing rat original (Li et al., 2000). However, whether the combination of the six herbal physics in JS is an effective tonic for CN function and physical capacity remains unclear. In the not away study, we investigated the CN excitatory-inhibitory issue of JS in mice after acute oral administration using a pentobarbital-induced repose method. We also investigated subchronic (12 day) and chronic (8 week) consequences of JS on motor activity and physical endurance in rats through using an activity cage and a rotarod, respectively.

Materials and Methods

Animals

Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 4 weeks of advanced age (110-150 g), were used to research ambulatory activity and endurance. Male ICR (Institute for Cancer Research) mice (20-25 g) were used to application of mind sedation. The animals were obtained from the Laboratory Animal Center of National Yang-Ming University in Taiwan. The animals were kept at constant temperature (25 [+ or -] 1 [degrees] C) and a solid diet and tap water were supplied ad libitum.

Rats were randomly assigned to 4 assemblages of control, and 1-, 5- and 20-times human dosage; they were given same turn normal saline (10 ml/kg) or J (021 105 or 42 g/kg) orally one time a day for 8 weeks, respectively. Mice were also randomly assigned to four clusters (control, 1-, 5-, and 20-times human dosage) for the sedation experiment.

Composition and Preparation of JS

J pills are the returnss of Hong Shing Pharmaceutical Plant Co Ltd The composition of J is listed in Table 1 J was dissolved in distilled water for administration.

Analyses the Maker constituents in JS

Ferulic acid, tetramethylpyrazine, paeoniflorin and ginsenoside-[Rg.sub.1] were the maker composings of Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ligustici Rhizoma, Paeoniae Lactiflorae Radix and Ginseng Radix respectively. These unites were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in compared with standard. A high-pressure cross-question (L-7100, Hitachi, Tokyo, Japan) with interface (D-7000) was associate to a column (Mightysil RP-18 GP 250 x 46 mm) and an ultraviolet detector (Hitachi L-7420) The mobile phases were as follows: acetonitril (20%) 01% [Hsub3]P[Osub4] (80%) for ferulic acid or paeoniflorin assay; acetonitril (20%) [Hsub2]O (80%) for tetramethylpyrazine assay; acetonitril (25%) [Hsub2]O (75%) for ginsenoside-[Rg.sub.1] assay. The roll on rate was 1 ml/min. Sample was prepared by dint of powdering the pills and passing end the mesh (60 mesh). Fine dust was dissolved in methanol and shaken at 200 rpm for 60 min. The suspension was then centrifuged in 6000 rpm for 5 min to separate the supernatant. The pellet was repeated to extract as above. The supernatant was combined and passed end a 0.45 [micro]m membrane for HPLC analysis. Ferulic acid, tetramethylpyrazine, paeoniflorin and ginsenoside-[Rg.sub.1] were exposeed at UV spectra 320 nm 280 nm 230 nm and 203 nm respectively.