Objective: To observe and compare the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and diuretic effects of three kinds of Tongcao(Tongtuomu, Panyezhangyeshu and Luosan) and seven kinds of Xiao-tongcao(Ximashanjinjiehua, Xinanxiuqiu1. 2., Ditanghua, Suixuezhangcai, Qingjiaye and Zhongguo jinjiehua).
Method: Decoctions prepared from the above kinds of Tongcao and Xiao-tongcao crude drugs were given to rats at dosages of 8 g/kg and 4 g/kg by ig. Pharmacological actions were observed by means of carrageenan-induced swelling paws, fever models induced by beer-yeast or carrageenan and metabolic cage method in rats.
Result: All the experimental decoctions could inhibit carrageenan-induced swelling of rat paws in different degrees and exerted anti-pyretic effect on rat fever models induced by beer-yeast or carrageenan. Three kinds of Xiaotongcao(Ximashanjingjiehua, Xinanxiuqui2., Zhongguojinjiehua) had obvious diuretic effect on rats.
Conclusion: Decoctions of different species of Tongcao and Xiao-tongcao all have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and diuretic effects, thus providing some pharmacologic basis for the efficacy assay, clinical application, species collation and quality study of Tongcao and Xiao-tongcao.