Influences of Xiaoyao Pills on peripheral blood and hypothalamic-pituitary- adrenocortical axis in rats with syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and blood deficiency / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the effect of Xiaoyao Pills (containing Paeoniae Alba Radix) on peripheral blood and hypothalamic- pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis in rats with syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and blood deficiency. Methods: The model of syndrome of stagnation of liver qi and blood deficiency was established by chronic restraint stress combined with radiation, and healthy male rats were randomly divided into four groups such as normal group, model group, Paeoniae Alba Radix group, and Xiaoyao Pills group. The rats in treatment groups and normal group were fed with medicines and pure water from day 1 of the experiment, respectively. The weight, peripheral blood, glucose consumption, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis were measured. Results: Compared with the model group, the weight and amount of WBC of model group were decreased significantly (P < 0.001), and the amounts of ACTH, CORT, and CRH were increased significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.001). Glucose consumption test showed that the ability of model group to explore the novel environment was reduced (P < 0.01), Xiaoyao Pills group on the above indicators had a corresponding regulatory role (P < 0.001 or P < 0.01). Conclusion: The effect of Xiaoyao Pill on peripheral blood and HPA axis may be one of the mechanisms of its function of soothing liver to resolve depression and nourishing blood to invigorate the spleen.