[Effects of Chinese medicine on bovine ciliary muscles].

We studied the effects and characteristics of Chinese medicines (Gorei-san (I), Saiko-keishi-to (II), Ryokei-jutsu-kan-to (III), Shokenchu-to (IV)), on the contractions (A) of bovine ciliary muscles. Ciliary muscle strips (width 4 mm x length 6 mm) were prepared and were contracted by a cholinergic agent, carbachol (10(-5)M). The 4 Chinese medicines were diluted to the concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-6) of each adult dosage per day. When these diluted medicines were added, all caused relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. The percentages of (max B/max A) x 100 were: Gorei-san, 41 +/- 14 (%) (n = 6, mean +/- SD); Saiko-keishi-to, 37 +/- 18% (n = 6); Ryokei-jutsukan-to, 26 +/- 16% (n = 6); and Shokenchu-to, 10 +/- 5% (n = 6). Compared to the control group which did not receive Chinese medicines, drugs I, II and III showed statistically significant relaxation effects (p < 0.05). The amount of relaxation caused by these medicines (I-III) was 1/3-1/4 of the relaxation caused by a cholinergic antagonist, cyclopentlate (10(-5)M). The results suggest that Chinese medicines (I-III) produce moderate relaxation of ciliary muscles.