The anxiolytic effect of Sho‐ju‐sen, a Japanese herbal medicine, assessed by an elevated ­plus‐maze test in mice

Abstract

Sho-ju-sen (SK), a Japanese herbal medicine with a nourishing tonic action, is composed of a water extract of Kumazasa leaves (Sasa kurinensis Makino et Sibata) (SS), and ethanol extracts of Japanese red pine needles (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc) (PN) and Ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) (PX) in the ratio 8:1:1. In this study, an elevated plus-maze test in mice was carried out to assess whether SK had an anxiolytic effect. No significant change was observed in either the plus-maze or activity test following a single administration of SK (10 and 20 mL/kg p.o.). However, mice allowed a free intake of SK (10% solution) for 5 days and longer showed a significant prolongation of the time spent in the open arms (an anxiolytic effect), as long as that caused by the benzodiazepine anxiolytic diazepam (1 mg/kg p.o.). SK (1%, 3% and 30% solutions for 7 days) tended to develop the anxiolytic effect. Of the constituents of SK, SS (8% solution), but not PN (1% solution) or PX (1% solution), resulted in the anxiolytic effect. Except for a slight acceleration in the motor activity by PN (1% solution), no significant change in the motor activity was produced by any treatment with SK, SS or PX. The combined treatment of SK (10% solution) or SS (8% solution) with 1 mg/kg diazepam enhanced the anxiolytic effect. Flumazenil (0.1 mg/kg s.c.), a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist, alone did not change the time spent in the open arms. However, it completely reversed the anxiolytic effect of SK, SS and diazepam. The present results suggest that: (1) long-term treatment with SK develops an anxiolytic effect, (2) SS is the main constituent for the anxiolytic effect of SK, and (3) benzodiazepine receptors are involved in the anxiolytic effect of SK and SS.

Evaluation of anxiolytic activity of spray dried powders of two South Brazilian Passiflora species

“…In agreement with many reports (Ang and Cheang, 1999;Kuribara et al, 2001;Carvalho-Freitas and Costa, 2002) in our experiments (Table 1), diazepam, used as a standard anxiolytic drug, showed an increase in the number of entries and permanency in the open arms (p < 0.05), and a decrease in the time spent in the closed arms (p < 0.05).…”

An antidepressant effect of Sho‐ju‐sen, a Japanese herbal medicine, assessed by learned helplessness model in mice

“…Our previous study using the elevated plus-maze test in mice revealed that free consumption of Sho-ju-sen for 4 days and longer caused an anxiolytic effect, and that the effect was mainly caused by Sasa (Kuribara et al, 2000). Taken together the present and previous results, it is expected that long-term use of Sho-ju-sen develops protective effects on stress-related psychic and psychosomatic symptoms with a low risk of unwanted side-effects.…”

“…During the 3-week consumption of Sho-ju-sen, Sasa, Pine and Ginseng, the mice revealed slight decreases in the volume consumed compared with the control mice given tap water. Such a difference may be caused by non-specific factor(s) including the taste of the fluids as reported elsewhere (Kuribara et al, 2000). Furthermore, all groups of mice showed a progressive decrease in fluid consumption.…”

Effect of yokukansan, a traditional Japanese medicine, on social and aggressive behaviour of para-chloroamphetamine-injected rats

“…Social behaviour, such as sniffing, following and contacting, observed between two rats has been evaluated as an index of anxiety or anxiolytic effect because benzodiazepine‐ and 5‐HT‐related anxiolytic drugs increase social behaviour, whereas anxiogenic agents decrease it 36 . Kuribara and Maruyama 37 demonstrated the anxiolytic effect of yokukansan treatment (0.25–2.0 g/kg, p.o. for 7 days) by using a plus‐maze test, which is often used for evaluation of anxiety in mice.…”