Effects of Toki-shakuyaku-san on microcirculation of bulbar conjunctiva and hemorheological factors in patients with asymptomatic cerebral infarction

Abstract

In this study, the effects of Toki-shakuyaku-san on the microcirculation of bulbar conjunctiva in 11 patients with asymptomatic cerebral infarction were investigated with a video-microscopic system. After the administration of Toki-shakuyaku-san for four weeks, the flow volume rates of microcirculatory flow of the bulbar conjunctiva were increased (p<0.05). Hemorheological factors such as whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, and erythrocyte deformability were examined. Toki-shakuyaku-san improved whole blood viscosity and erythrocyte deformability (p<0.05), and plasma lipid peroxides decreased. These results suggested that the favorable effects of Toki-shakuyaku-san on cerebrovascular disorders take place via changes in microcirculatory flow, with the mechanisms being considered to be improvements in hemorheological factors and the anti-oxidant effect of Toki-shakuyaku-san.