ABSTRACT
Objective: To demonstrate the range, properties and extent of the interaction for activating blood effects in herb pair containing Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Carthami Flos (ASR-RC) by response surface method. Methods: Based on the acute blood stasis rats model, the hemorheological indexes of ASR-RC with different proportions (1:0, 4:1, 2:1, 3:2, 1:1, 2:3, 1:2, 1:4, 0:1) and different concentration were observed. Then all data were integrated to the total activating blood circulation effect value by comprehensive index method. The interaction was analyzed by response surface method. Model parameters were estimated with nonlinear regression. The three-dimensional response surfaces were constructed with Matlab software. Results The proportion from 0.8:1 to 1.1:1 of ASR-RC had synergetic effects, and when the dose of Angelicae Sinensis Radix ranged from 0 g to 5 g, and Carthami Flos from 8 g to 11 g, the herb pair also had synergetic effects (with the value between -0.2 and -0.8). In addition, when the dose of Angelicae Sinensis Radix ranged from 0 g to 0.2 g, and Carthami Flos ranged from 0.2 g to 1 g, the herb pair had antagonism action (with the value of 0.2). Conclusion The research results could provide scientific evidence for clinical application of ASR-RC. And quantitative analysis on drug interactions of herb pair by response surface method could also provide references for relevant studies.