The Safety and Efficacy of the Liquid Form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hozen-S, in dogs

Abstract

Juzen-taiho-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is used for patients with anorexia and fatigue in humans. In our previous study, a granulated Juzen-taiho-to improved vincristine-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects through increasing gastric motility in dogs. However, the safety and efficacy of Hozen-S, the sweet liquid form of Juzen-taiho-to, in dogs have not been investigated. Therefore, we examined whether the long-term administration of Hozen-S to dogs is safe and affects their gastric motility. First, we administered normal-dose (0.8 ml/kg) or high-dose (4.0 ml/kg) Hozen-S to dogs for 42 days and observed their general status (vigorousness, appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and body weight), as well as changes in blood parameters. Next, we administered normal-dose Hozen-S and assessed gastric motility using ultrasonography. Furthermore, we administered normal-dose or high-dose Hozen-S and assessed dog plasma ghrelin levels. Although administration of normal-dose or high-dose Hozen-S increased body weight significantly, there were no other changes in their general status. Hozen-S changed some blood parameters significantly. However, there might be no important clinical implications because almost all parameters changed within the reference range. Normal-dose Hozen-S significantly promoted gastric motility and high-dose Hozen-S significantly raised plasma ghrelin levels. Hozen-S might promote gastric motility by raising plasma ghrelin levels in dogs. In conclusion, Hozen-S may become a safe and effective traditional Chinese veterinary medicine.