Anxiolytic-like effect of saiboku-to, an oriental herbal medicine, on histaminergics-induced anxiety in mice.
Effect of saiboku-to, an oriental herbal medicine, on anxiety in mice was investigated using a light/dark test. Anxiogenic- and anxiolytic-like effects were evaluated on the basis of shortened and prolonged time spent in the light zone of the test. Subacute administration (once a day for 7 days) of saiboku-to (0.5-2.0 g/kg, p.o.) induced anxiolytic-like effect. To assess the effect of saiboku-to on brain histaminergic system in a state of anxiety, Compound 48/80 (1.0 microg/2 microl, i.c.v.), a non-neuronal mast cell histamine releaser, or thioperamide (10.0 mg/kg, i.p.), a neuronal histamine releaser possessing the inhibitory effect of histamine H(3) autoreceptors, induced decrease in the time spent in the light zone by co-injection with cimetidine (10.0 microg/2 microl, i.c.v.), a H(2) inhibitor, suggesting anxiety-like effect. These histaminergics-induced experimental anxieties were inhibited by pre-treatment with subacute administration of saiboku-to, as well as single treatment with diazepam. The results suggest that saiboku-to exhibits anxiolytic-like effect closely related to histaminergic system in the brain.
Yuzurihara
M
M
Kampo and Pharmacognosy Laboratories, Tsumura, 3586 Yoshiwara, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki 300-1192, Japan. yuzurihara_mitsutosh@mail.tsumura.co.jp
Ikarashi
Y
Y
Ishige
A
A
Sasaki
H
H
Maruyama
Y
Y
D000818:Animals; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018494:Histamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D020835:Medicine, Kampo; D051379:Mice; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine / Q000009:adverse effects
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D018494:Histamine Agents; C045086:saiboku-to; D003189:p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine; D003975:Diazepam