Pharmacological properties of N-095, a drug containing red ginseng, polygala root, saffron, antelope horn and aloe wood

Am J Chin Med. 2005;33(1):49-60. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X05002655.

Abstract

This study sought to establish a pharmacological profile for N-095, a crude drug containing red ginseng, polygala root, saffron, antelope horn and aloe wood. Our studies on rats and mice revealed a number of pharmacological properties of this novel drug. N-095 increased the forced swimming time in mice and prevented gastric ulcers in rats under restraint and water immersion stress conditions at 100 mg/kg or higher. It also prevented footpad swelling in rats treated with lambda-carrageenin and histamine-induced gastric ulcers in rats at 300 mg/kg or higher. Furthermore, N-095 augmented the sedative effect in mice induced by hexobarbital, which is characterized by a decreased spontaneous motor activity and a prolongation of sleeping time. N-095 also stimulated spontaneous contractility of the uterus in rats at 1000 mg/kg and 2000 mg/kg and prevented hemolysis of erythrocytes by heating. In contrast, N-095 had no effect on the respiratory or cardiovascular system or on water and electrolyte regulation in rats or mice. These results show that N-095 is a relatively safe drug for use as a nutrient or tonic.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior, Animal / drug effects*
  • Carrageenan
  • Convulsants
  • Crocus*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / pharmacology*
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • Female
  • Histamine
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Panax*
  • Pentylenetetrazole
  • Peripheral Nervous System / drug effects
  • Plant Roots
  • Polygala*
  • Rabbits
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Stomach Ulcer / chemically induced
  • Stomach Ulcer / drug therapy
  • Swimming
  • Uterus / drug effects
  • Water-Electrolyte Balance / drug effects

Substances

  • Convulsants
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Histamine
  • Carrageenan
  • Pentylenetetrazole