Effects of Gravity and Oriental Medicine, Tochu (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) Leaves on Tree Frog Hyla japonica

Abstract

Gravitational effects on tree frogs flown on Russian space station MIR were studied with an index of protein metabolism. CoIIagen in skin was found to be Iess for space flown frogs. Total proteins, DNA, and RNA in skin and liver were also measured. Leaf of Tochu, an oriental medicine, known as "elixir of life", was examined whether it could be a countermeasure against loss of calcium and proteins from bone and muscle in space. From ground based experiment, content and structure of rough endoplasmic reticulum in liver was found to be influenced by Tochu leaf.