Effects of Panax ginseng,Codonopsis pilosula and Pseudostellaria heterophylla on Sexual Maturity of SD Female Rats

[Objectives] To study the effects of Panax ginseng,Codonopsis pilosula and Pseudostellaria heterophylla on the growth and development of SD female rats. [Methods] The rats were randomly divided into control group,P. ginseng group,C. pilosula group,and P. heterophylla group,intragastrically administered with physiological saline,P. ginseng,C. pilosula,and P. heterophylla for 2 weeks,daily vaginal smear inspection was performed,estradiol（ E;） level before and after intervention was detected,rats were dissected,took out ovary and uterus,and calculated the ovarian index and uterus index. [Results]In 4 groups of rats,there was no significant difference in the time of sexual maturity and ovarian index; compared with the control group,E;level of C. pilosula group and P. ginseng group were higher（ P < 0. 05）;compared with the control group and P. heterophylla group,the ovarian index of P. ginseng group was higher（ P < 0. 05）; compared with the control group,the body weight of three administration groups increased much more（ P < 0. 05）. [Conclusions] P. ginseng and C. pilosula may lead to sexual maturity of SD female rats,while P. ginseng,C. pilosula and P. heterophylla can promote increase of body weight of SD female rats.