Development of an in vivo assay method for evaluation of "oketsu" using hen-egg white lysozyme (HEL)-induced blood flow decrease

Abstract

"Oketsu", or stagnant blood syndrome, is one of the important pathological concepts in therapy with Kampo formula and drugs. Here we show the effectiveness of our previously developed in vivo assay system for the evaluation of such drugs. The assay system measures blood flow in the microcirculation of the mouse tail after injection of hen-egg white lysozyme (HEL). The results showed the effectiveness of Kampo formula and crude drugs clinically used to treat "oketsu", while little effect was found with drugs used for other purposes. These results indicated the effectiveness of the method for screening drugs aimed at "oketsu" treatment.