ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study emetic and anti-emetic effects of Rhizoma pinelliae in minks.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The emetic effect of raw pinellia 2 g kg(-1) (i.g.) was investigated. Three preparations of Rhizoma pinelliae (processed with ginger) were made by ethanol extraction, water extraction and water decoction respectively and their effects on emesis model induced by cisplatin (7.5 mg kg(-1), i.p.) or apomorphine (1.6 mg kg(-1), s.c.) were then studied; the effect of the decoction of ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae on rotation-induced emesis model in minks was also observed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The emesis was induced by raw pinellia in minks (P < 0.01); ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae, metoclopramide and ondansetron significantly inhibit the emesis induced by cisplatin and apomorphine (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ginger-processed Rhizoma pinelliae exhibits a anti-emetic effect in minks, which may be mediated by inhibiting the function of the vomiting center in central nervous system.</p>