Table 3.
The results of animal experiments in three traditional Chinese medicines
| Chinese Drug | Experimental results (animals)13,14 | Lethal dose13,14 |
|---|---|---|
| Shi-Hu (Dendrobine) | Violent uterine contraction | 17 mg kg−1 (rabbits) |
| Paralyzes peristalsis | 22 mg mg−1 (guinea pigs) | |
| Lowers blood pressure | ||
| Produces mild hyperglycaemia | ||
| Increases secretion of saliva | ||
| Tian-Ma | IV—raised seizure threshold | LD50 (mice): Intraperitoneal 51g kg−1 |
| Stops status epileptics (mice) | LD100 (rabbits): 12g kg−1 | |
| Lethargy, tachycardia, increased sleeping time [Constituents (mice): vanillin, gastrodin and Armillaria mellea] | ||
| Bai-Ji | IV—reduces bleeding time | |
| Cures perforation stomach (1 mm diameter, in dogs) |