Pharmacological action of hachimijiogan (Ba-wei-wan) on the metabolism of aged subjects.

In order to elucidate the active mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine, we investigated the effects of Hachimijiogan which has been alleged to restore the function of old degenerated organs. After administering Hachimijiogan to aged rats and mice, we examined the lipid and glutathione metabolism. The cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the mice liver were significantly decreased in the Hachimijiogan treated group. The cholesterol turnover was examined using labeled cholesterol in aged mice, and Hachimijiogan may increase the turnover of cholesterol metabolism. The lenticular glutathione levels and enzyme activities concerned with glutathione metabolism were investigated in aged rats given Hachimijiogan, suggesting that Hachimijiogan may offer protective and therapeutic effects against senile cataract. From our study, Hachimijiogan is considered to improve the lipid and glutathione metabolism as a result of its complicated in vivo compound effects.