Anxiolytic Effects of the Three Kinds of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shin-Ki-Hwan, Bo-Jung-lk-Ki-Tang, and Sa-Mul-Tang, Using the Elevated Plus-maze Test

Elevated plus-maze를 이용한 신기환, 보중익기탕 및 사물탕의 항불안 효과

Shin-Ki-Hwan (Shen-Qi-Wan, SKH), Bo-Jung-Ik-Ki-Tang (Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang, BJIKT), and Sa-Mul-Tang (Si-Wu-Tang, SMT) have been used for various kinds of deficiency syndromes, such as 'yang', 'qi', and 'blood', respectively. The objects of this study were to determine the effects of water extracts of three different kinds of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), SKH, BJIKT, and SMT, on the anxiolytic activities in the elevated plus-maze test and to clarify the differences among 'yang', 'qi', and 'blood'. The water extracts of SKH, BJIKT, and SMT were orally administered to male SD rats, at 1.0 g/kg for 10 days. All rats were subjected to behavioral tests for the anxiolytic activity at 10 days. SKH, for the benefiting 'yang'agents, significantly increased the ratio of open arms entry to the total arms entry and time spent in the open arms (p<0.05), suggesting anxiolytic effect. However, both BJIKT and SMT decreased the ratio of open arms entry to the total arms entry and increased times spent in the closed arms (p<0.05). From these findings, it can be speculated that SKH only exhibits anxiolytic effect and that the different anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze test may be come from the meanings of 'yang', 'qi', and 'blood'in oriental diagnostics though the cases are restricted.