Abstract
Pharmacological effects of ether and water extracts of Shikon, Lithospermum officinale Linne var. erythrorhizon Maximowicz (Borraginaceae) and Tooki, Angelica acutiloba Kitagawa (Umbelliferae) were studied in mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. 1) with an intraperitoneal administration of ether extract of Shikon, writhing symptom, a decrease in locomotor activity in mice and a slight antipyretic effect in rats occurred. Systemic administration of other extracts and oral administration of Shikon ether extract had no significant pharmacological activity on the central nervous system. 2) Water extract of Shikon exhibited a slight inotropic and chronotropic action on isolated atria of guinea pigs and a contraction of isolated ear vessels of rabbits. The cardiovascular responses to Shikon extract were not affected by pretreatment with tolazoline and propranolol. Intravenous administration of Shikon water extract had no effect on blood pressure, but did inhibit respiration in rabbits. On the other hand, Tooki water extract inhibited movement of isolated atria, dilated ear vessels and caused a fall in blood pressure. 3) No extract affected movement of isolated intestine and coagof blood. 4) Oral administration of Shikon extracts revealed anti-inflammatory activity, in particular, ether extract inhibited acute edema and increased vascular permeability, while water extract inhibited proliferation of granulation tissue. Tooki extracts had no effect on inflammatory reaction. 5) Ether extract of Shikon had a local irritative action and oral administration of a large dose resulted in diarrhea in mice. These results suggest that Shikon has anti-inflammatory action and a slight antipyretic effect. Tooki proved to have no significant pharmacological activities.
