Effects of jiawey siwu on rat activity.

Jiawey siwu (JS) is a modified formula of siwu with the addition of Ginseng Radix and Eucommiae Cortex. We studied the CNS effect of JS on pentobarbital-induced hypnosis in ICR mice after acute oral administration. We also investigated the motor activity and exercise performance effects of JS in SD rats after subchronic (12 days) and chronic (8 weeks) oral administration with an activity cage and rotarod, respectively. The duration of pentobarbital-induced hypnosis was significantly decreased in mice after acute oral administration of 0.21, 1.05 or 4.2 g/kg JS. The time of ambulatory activity and time on the rotarod significantly increased in rats after subchronic and chronic oral administration of 1.05 g/kg JS, respectively. These results indicate that JS potentially increased the excitability of the CNS in mice, as well as increasing motor activity and physical endurance in rats.