The effects of Sokei-kakketsu-to, Yokuinin-to, Keisi-ka-zyutsubu-to, Eppi-ka-jutsu-to, and Saireito extracts on Adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA) in rats were investigated. After administering AA, we measured the volume of rat hindpaw as the inflammation index, and observed the changes of synovitis histologically. Each extract showed different effects on AA rats. Yokuinin-to and Sokei-kakketsu-to had remarkable effects on inflammation and changed the histological observations of synovitis. Eppi-ka-jutsu-to also had effects on the uninjected hindpaw, but Keisi-ka-jutsubu-to and Sairei-to had no effect on hindpaw inflammation, nor did they change synovitis histologically.

The hematological effects of Sokeikakketsu-to, Yokuinin-to, Keisi-ka-jutsubsu-to, Eppi-ka-jutsu-to, and Sairei-to observed on the AA rats were investigated. The time course of blood count and albumin, sialic acid and acid-soluble glycoprotein in the serum whs. were measured. Sokeikakketsu-to had the strongest anti-inflammatory effect on the improvement of Inflammatory Index Substances, platelets, and the Arthritis Score for changes in synovitis. Yokuinin-to was also effective. When these Kampo medicines were administered in the early stages of AA, Sokeikakketsu-to improved the AA signficantly. The results may suggest that Sokeikakketsu-to works for the control of autoimmunity. On the other hand, Keisi-ka-jutsubu-to aggravated the AA when it was administered in the early stages of the AA.

Rats with adjuvant arthritis (AA rats) show obvious inhibition of the local inflammation when steroids (DXM) are administered. But the contraction of thymic or adrenal atrophy, spleen hypertrophy, and reduction of activity of serum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV are recognized. In rats where Sokei-kakketsu-to or Yokuinin-to was administered, prominent anti-inflammatory effects like dexamethasone were not found; however the contraction of thymic or adrenal atrophy, spleen hypertrophy, and reduction of activity of serum dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV was not recognized. In addition, after withdrawal of drugs, rebound in regional joints did not occurr as with steroids, and the reducing effect for arthrocele was prolonged. Therefore, it was concluded that those two formulations have an effect on the immune system —with anti-inflammatory effects for AA rats— and these action mechanisms are different from that of steroids (DXM).

The injury of intestinal mucosa of mice with zinc-deficiency was inhibited by the Chinese herbal medicine (_??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??__??_), while the concentration of serum zinc in zinc deficient mice was not increased after administrations of the Chinese herbal medicine.

The Chinese herbal medicine (_??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??_, _??__??__??_) suppressed the injury of intestinal mucosa in mice with excess zinc administrations. The increase of serum zinc concentration with excess zinc administrations was also inhibited by administrations of the Chinese herbal medicine.