Phytomedicine. 2002 Dec; 9(8): 700-8.

Potentiation by saiboku-to of diazepam-induced decreases in hippocampal and striatal acetylcholine release in rats.

Ikarashi Y, Yuzurihara M.

Kampo & Pharmacognosy Laboratories, Tsumura, Ami-machi, Inashiki-gun, Ibaraki, Japan. ikarashi_yasushi@mail.tsumura.co.jp

Effects of saiboku-to, a traditional oriental herbal medicine, on diazepam-induced changes in cerebral acetylcholine (ACh) were investigated in rat striatum and hippocampus. Diazepam (10 mg/kg, i.p.) increased tissue concentrations of the ACh in both regions. The increase was enhanced in rats subacutely treated with saiboku-to (2.0 g/kg, p.o., once a day) for 7 days. Diazepam also decreased release levels of ACh in both regions. The release levels were further decreased in saiboku-to-treated rats. On the other hand, no significant changes in ACh synthesizing and the hydrolyzing enzyme activities in either brain region were observed in saiboku-to-, diazepam- and combination-treated rats. These results suggest that not only is the diazepam-induced increase in tissue ACh due to the inhibition of ACh release but also that saiboku-to potentiates diazepam-induced inhibition of ACh release.