Pharmacological effects of yokukansankachimpihange on urinary catecholamine in restraint-stressed mice

Herbal medicines, acupuncture and moxibustion are often used for unidentified complaints. It is well known that catecholamine secreted by the sympatho-adrenal medullary system primarily functions to increase cardiac output and raise glucose levels in the blood during acute stress. In the present study, the effects of yokukansankachimpihange (YKSKCH, a Kampo medicine) on urinary catecholamine inmice that were repeatedly stressed by restraining were examined. Restraint stress (240 min/d×3 d×3 cycles, daytime: 12:00-16:00) induced a marked increase in noradrenaline (NA) and adrenaline (A) levels in the urine. Oral administration of YKSKCH (750 mg/kg of body weight) significantly inhibited the increase in urinary NA and A levels in mice after repeated restraint stress. In addition, the NA/dopamine (physical stress) and A/dopamine (mental stress) ratios were lower in the 750 mg/kg YKSKCH-treated group than in the control group. The tail suspension test was also performed and locomotor activity was investigated. Oral administration of YKSKCH at 750 mg/kg significantly reduced the immobility time, which was longer in mice after repeated restraint stress. Furthermore, oral administration of YKSKCH at 750 mg/kg increased locomotor activity, which was lower in mice after repeated restraint stress. These results suggest that YKSKCH has positive effects on mental and physical stress after repeated restraint stress, without reducing locomotor activity.