In order to more closely examine the effect of
Toki-shakuyaku-san and an
iron preparation in vivo in an animal experiment, we prepared anemic rats, divided them into 4 groups, i.e., an untreated group, a
Toki-shakuyaku-san group, an
iron-preparation group and a Toki-shakuyaku-san+iron-preparation group, and assessed the results of laboratory parameters, hematology, and general symptoms of
anemia. The results showed trends toward improvement in indices of
anemia, i.e., erythrocyte (RBC) count,
hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Ht) and serum
iron (Fe), and improvement of anemic symptoms in the 3 treated groups. Examination of erythrocyte morphology showed that erythrocyte destruction had occurred only slightly in the 3 treated groups. The organ weight measurements showed an increase in the weight of the heart and spleen in the untreated group, but tended to be closer to normal in the 3 treated groups. The number and wet weight of the feces in the untreated group were markedly lower than normal, but increased in the
Toki-shakuyaku-san group. In the
iron-preparation group, the
hemorrhage of stomach and pigmentation of the tail which seem to be a side effect of
iron were observed, but was not seen in the
Toki-shakuyaku-san group. The results animal experiment more closely examined the results of clinical study, and we concluded that by using
Toki-shakuyaku-san and the
iron preparation in combination, it is possible to lessen the adverse reactions such as gastrointestinal symptoms, and that more ameliorative effect on the anemic state can be expected.