Influence of Sijunzi Decoction in various dosages on digestive and immune function of mice with Pi-deficiency syndrome / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the influence and the optimal dosages of Sijunzi Decoction (SJZD) on treating digestive and immune function of mice with Pi-deficiency syndrome (PDS). Methods The experimental model of mice with PDS was induced by rhubarb decoction. Then the mice were treated with three dosages of SJZD (12.5, 25, and 37.5 g/kg), respectively. The body weight, body temperature, mean retention time of chyme in digestive tract, gastric emptying velocity, gastrin and motilin levels, and visceral index of mice were measured. Results Being compared with the normal group, the PDS mice showed a slower growth of body weight and a lower body temperature, a shorter mean retention time of chyme in digestive tract and faster gastric emptying velocity, a lower gastrin content, and a higher motilin content. Also splenic and thymus indexes were found to follow a downtrend in the PDS mice. Three dosages of SJZD showed a restoration effect on the above all indexes, and the high dosage was the most effective one, especially. Conclusion The high dosage (37.5 g/kg) of SJZD possibly is the optimal dosage on treating the digestive and immune diseases of PDS mice.