Effect of various fractions from the roots of Patrinia scabiosaefolia (Valerianaceae) and whole plants of Melandryum firmum (Caryophyllaceae) on enzyme activities in mice was investigated. The butanol fractions from both plants caused a significant elevation of serum transaminase activities when administered intraperitoneally, but did not, orally. Prolonged exposure by oral administration of both plants elevated hepatic cytochrome p-450 content, indicating the induction of drug metabolizing enzymes in liver.

The extract of Galgun-tang at oral doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg showed remarkable inhibition of 42.5% and 45.0%, respectively, on the carrageenin edema in rat paw. In case of combined oral administration of the extract at each dose of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg with 100mg/kg of aspirin, the inhibitions were 70.5%, 83.6% and 80.7% respectively. These results showed the remarkable effects as compared with those of aspirin which showed 50.3% and 69.4% of inhibition at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg, respectively. On the other hand, on the writhing syndrome in mice induced by 0.7% acetic acid solution, the oral administration of the extract showed remarkable inhibition of 18.5 and 47.7% at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg, respectively. In case of combined oral administration of the extract at each dose of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg with 100mg/kg of aspirin, the inhibition percentages of writhing syndromes were 66.6, 72.3 and 80.8, respectively, whereas the inhibition at doses of 100 and 200mg/kg of aspirin showed 59.9 and 69.5%, respectively.

The extract of Mawhang-tang showed considerable inhibition of 70.7 and 57.2% at oral doses of 200 and 400mg/kg, respectively, on carrageenin edema in rat paw. In case of combined oral administration of the extract at each dose of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg with 100mg/kg of aspirin, the inhibition percentages were 78.2, 87.2 and 72.5%, respectively. The combined oral administration of 200mg/kg of the extract with 200mg/kg of aspirin exhibited 87.6% inhibition of the edema. On the writhing syndrome induced by 0.7% acetic acid solution, the oral administration of 200mg/kg of the extract with 200mg/kg of aspirin showed remarkable inhibition of 90.3%. In the inhibitory effect of the leakage of dye into peritoneal cavity were shown to be 51.9, 56.6 and 58.1% at the combined administration of the extract at the doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg with 100mg/kg of aspirin, respectively.

Experimental studies were conducted to investigate for the effect of Tongkyu-tang on analgesic, antipyretic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, isolated ileum and anti-histamine actions. Tongkyu-Tang was composed of sixteen crude drugs including Astragali Radix, which has been used for the treatment of common cold, headache, rhinitis, nasal obstruction, rhincospasm, etc. The following results have been obtained; analgesic and antipyretic actions were obtained. Prolonged action against the hypnotic duration of pentobarbital were significantly noted in mice. Anti-inflammatory effects in the paw edema induced by 1% carrageenin and 1% dextran were significantly shown in rats. Spontaneous motilities of isolated ileum of mice were strongly suppressed, and contractions of isolated ileum of mice and guinea-pigs induced by acetylcholine chloride, barium chloride and histamine were remarkably inhibited. Antihistamine actions were noted. Considering the above experimental results, it is suggested that effects of Tongkyu-tang based on the Oriental Medical References were similarly consistent with the actual experimental results.

These studies were conducted to investigate the effect of Yijin-tang on the anticonvulsion, analgesic, sedative actions, effect on blood vessels and blood pressure. The result of these studies was summarized as follows; Suppressive action was shown on convulsion due to cerebrocortical causes, but no such actions were noted either myelic or diencephaltic causes in mice. Analgesic and sedative actions were significantly recognized in mice. Increasing of blood pressure and vasocontractive actions were noted.

Intraperitoneal administration of ginseng butanol fraction(GBF) to chronic morphinization in male Sprague-Dawley rats inhibited the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect and hyperthermic action of morphine. Rats were rendered tolerant to morphine by subcutaneous multiple morphine injections for a period of 8 days. The development of tolerance was evidenced by the decreased analgesic response to morphine and inhibition of tolerance by the greater analgesic response. Concomitant administration of morphine with GBF blocked the tolerance to the hyperthermic effect of morphine as evidenced by elevation of body temperature by morphine. Dopamine receptor sensitivity was enhanced in morphine tolerant rats as measured by apomorphine induced in spontaneous motor activity. GBF administration also blocked dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by chronic morphinization.