OBJECTIVETo study the effects of rhizoma Astilbes chinensis in abirritation, blood activation, cough relieving and sputum elimination.

METHODThe antalgic function of rhizoma A. chinensis was tested by hot-plate method and writhing reaction. The acute blood-stasis model rats were made by Injection of adrenaline hydrochloride along with stimulation by ice water. The effects of cough relieving and sputum elimination were observed by the ammonia water-induced tussive mice and excretion of phenol red in the airway of mice. The maximum tolerance dose of rhizoma A. chinensis was also determined during the acute toxicity test.

RESULTThe data were analyzed for statistical significance by t-test, which shows that the decoction of rhizoma A. chinensis is significantly effective in reducing the frequency of licking behavior of mice on hot-plate and writhing response induced by acetic acid, improving the hemarheology of acute blood-stasis model rats, prolonging the latent period, reducing the frequency of cough induced byammonia, and in increasing the quantity of phenol red output from the trachea in mice. The result acute toxicity test shows that maximum tolerance dose of gastrogavage in mice was 400 g x kg(-1). Which was 666. 7 times of that clinically used for human.

CONCLUSIONRhizoma A. chinensis has the effects of abirritation, blood activation, cough relieving and sputum elimination, and is safe in clinical application.