The effect of herb medicine on the blood fluidity of rats

Abstract

In oriental medicine the conception of "oketsu" is known widely. This conception means stagnation of blood flow. Some herb medicines, which eliminate "oketsu" syndrome, are known as "ku-oketsu-zai". We attempt to study the effects of "ku-oketsu-zai" on the blood fluidity of rats by MC-FAN (micro channel array flow analyzer). Repeated oral administration of tokishakuyakusan or kangenkaryu as "ku-oketsu-zai" once a day for 1 week accelerated the blood fluidity of rats but single administration did not. It was experimentally demonstrated that "ku-oketsu-zai" actually accelerated the blood fluidity of rats. We are now studying whether "ku-oketsu-zai" may restore the reduction of blood fluidity by some stressors. [Jpn J Physiol 54 Suppl:S115 (2004)]