Effects of Gosha-jinki-gan, a Kampo medicine, on peripheral tissue blood flow in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We examined the effects of Gosha-jinki-gan an peripheral tissue blood flow in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and its mechanism. The decrease in peroneal muscular blood flow ill diabetic mts was dose-dependently improved by treatment with Gosha-jinki-gan (0.1-1 g/kg/day, p.o.) for 4 weeks. Investigation of the time course of blood flow in the hind paws revealed that single-dose of Gosha-jinki-gan (0.3, 1.5 g/kg, i.d.) increased peripheral bloodflow. Peripheral blood flow-increasing effects of Gosha-jinki-gan (1.5 g/kg, i.d.) were reduced BI combination with atropine (I mg/kg, i.v.), and disappeared by pretreatment with N-G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 mg/kg, i.v.). Levels of aortic guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate were dose-dependently increased by administration of Gosha-jinki-gan (0.3, 1.5 g/kg, p.o.). These results suggest that Gosha-jinki-gan has vasodilating effects via increases in nitric oxide production. Gosha-jinki-gan may be useful for treating peripheral circulation disorders iii the diabetic state. (C) 1998 Prous Science. All rights reserved.