General Pharmacological Study of GCSB-5, a Herbal Formulation

The general pharmacological properties of GCSB-5, a herbal formulation consisting of 6 Oriental herbs(Ledebouriellae Radix, Achyranthis Radix, Acanthopanacis Cortex, Cibotii Rhizoma, Glycine Semen and Eucommiae Cortex), were investigated in mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits. The administration of GCSB-5 had no effect on general behavior, and did not influence the central nervous system. Mean blood pressure, heat1 and respiratory rate and contractile response of the isolated guinea pig atrium were unaffected by the treatment of GCSB-5. Addition of GCSB-5 did not cause spontaneous relaxation and contraction of the isolated guinea pig ileum and rat uterus. And also, GCSB-5 had no effect on the gastrointestinal system and the blood system of the animals examined in this study. GCSB-5, at higher doses(1,000 and 3,000 mg/kg), increased the urinary excretion of electrolytes, however, the urine volume and pH in rats were unaffected. Taken together, these results indicate that GCSB-5 does not induce any adverse effects in experimental animals and is expected to have no significant general pharmacological activities.