Effect of a nutritive-tonic drink on stress-induced serum glucocorticoid in the mouse.

Abstract

We evaluated stress during "restraint with gnawing (R+G+)" and "restraint without gnawing (R+G-)" in a mouse system. R+G- induced a higher serum glucocorticoid level than R+G+. Zena F-III (a nutritive-tonic drink prescribed as "Kampo", a traditional Japanese medicine with its origin in Chinese medicine) reduced the glucocorticoid elevation in R+G+, but not in R+G-. These results support the hypotheses that (i) activity, such as gnawing, which potentially leading to escape from distress, reduces the severity of emotional distress and (ii) Zena F-III reduces the severity of mental or emotional fatigue, or increases motivation, in a stressful situation that the animal can manage itself.

• Authors: Yasuko Sakata, Kentaro Ayada, Yoshihisa Ito, Takeshi Tadano, Yasuo Endo
• Journal: The American journal of Chinese medicine (Am J Chin Med) Vol. 32 Issue 6 Pg. 851-61 ( 2004) ISSN: 0192-415X [Print] Singapore
• PMID: 15673191 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Glucocorticoids

Topics

• Animals
• Beverages
• Body Weight
• Disease Models, Animal
• Glucocorticoids (blood)
• Japan
• Kinetics
• Male
• Medicine, Kampo
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Restraint, Physical
• Stress, Psychological (blood, therapy)