Gastrix

Chen Pi/Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae

1. Actions on the Gastrointestinal Smooth Muscles

The herb decoction inhibited the motility of the isolated small intestines of mice and rabbits; the intravenous injection of the decoction demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the gastrointestinal musculature of anesthetized dogs, small intestine of anesthetized rabbits, and stomach of anaesthetized rabbits. The action was weaker than that of epinephrine but more prolonged. This was probably due to the relative stability of the active component of the herb.1 In experiments on the isolated rabbit intestine, various kinds of Chinese medicines including this herb, which are reputed to "regulate the vital energy", antagonized the effect of acetylcholine. But the inhibitory action of the herb on the isolated rabbit intestine was antagonized by acetylcholine. The herb could elicit further relaxation of the intestines if the intestinal muscular tone was already reduced by pretreatment with atropine.2

The herb also antagonized intestinal spastic contraction due to pilocarpine or barium chlorite. All these results suggest that the mode of action mainly involves direct inhibition of the intestinal smooth muscles.3

Hesperitin had a biphasic action on the isolated intestinal muscles, i.e., an initial transient stimulant action followed by inhibition.4

In conclusion, the various actions of the herb on the digestive tract are not only due to its various constituents, but also subject to the functional states of the digestive tract itself. Hence, it exhibits aromatic, stomachic, carminative and antiflatulent actions, and relieves stagnation of vital energy in the "spleen" and stomach.5

2. Antigastric Ulcer Action

Ligating the pylorus of the animals produced experimental rat models of gastric ulcer. Medication was given before and during the experiments. The results were as follows: daily subcutaneous injection of methylhesperitin at 100 mg/kg for 6 days markedly reduced the incidence of ulcers. It also inhibited gastric secretion. The anti-ulcer action was greatly enhanced when this agent was used concomitantly with vitamin C and vitamin K.4 6

3. Dyspepsia

In cases of abdominal distention, tightness of the chest, anorexia, nausea and vomiting, the herb may be used "to regulate the vital energy" and stimulate the appetite. With more severe abdominal distention and pain, the herb may be used together with the rhizome of Atractylodes lancea and the bark and root bark of Magnolia officinalis. When vomiting and hiccups are prominent, the herb is usually combined with Phyllostachys nigra and the root of Codonopsis pilosula.7

Zhu Ru (Ginger Fried)/Caulis Bambusae in Taenia

Infantile diarrhoea

chao zhu ru 10g; su geng, huo geng, mu xiang, bai zhu, fu ling, bian dou, ou jie, 10g each; chen pi, ge gen, 5g each; bai dou kou, 3g. Modify the formula according to TCM differentiation, water decoction. 256 cases of infantile diarrhea were treated and 251 cases were effective.

Sheng Jiang/Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens

1. Gastrointestinal effect

Zingiber officinale has a bi phasic effect on gastric acid secretion1. One of sheng jiang's ingredients zingerone could significantly stimulate the biosynthesis of prostaglandin, which could prevent the lesion induced by contact of gastric mucous membrane with harmful substances. Oral administration of 10% sheng jiang decoction could significantly lower the lesion of gastric mucous membrane induced by 0.6N hydrochloric acid and bondage-water soaking in rats.8

2. Gastric and duodenal ulcers

Fresh Zingiberis 50g was washed and minced and decocted in 300ml of water for 30 minutes; the decoction was taken three times a day for two days. In 10 cases so treated there was improvement or relief from pain, alleviation of acid regurgitation and constipation and an increase in appetite.9

3. Chronic gastritis

sheng zhi zi 12g; sheng jiang 8g; pu gong ying, yi yi ren, bai shao 30g; huang yi, yan hu suo, 15g each; ban xia, chen pi, mu xiang, 10g each; gan cao 6g. 1 dose every day, water decoction, 30 days as a course of treatment, 1~3 courses totally. Results: Among 308 treated cases of chronic gastritis, 105 were cured, 118 markedly effective, 77 effective and 8 ineffective.

Ren Shen/Radix Ginseng

Dyspepsia

10 hospitalized children with symptoms of poor appetite, excessive sweating, pale or sallow complexion were treated with hong shen in addition to routine treatment. Children under 3 years old, 3g decocted into 30ml juice; children over 3 years old, 5g decocted into 60ml juice. 7~14 days as a course of treatment. The method could improve the appetite, stop sweating and increase the body weight.

Ban Xia/Rhizoma Pinelliae ternatae preparatae

1. Effects on digestive system

Aqueous extraction-alcohol precipitation fluid of ban xia had significant preventing or treating effect on gastric ulcer induced by antinfan, pylorus ligation or acetic acid. It also certain inhibitory effect on stress ulcer, and could significantly decrease gastric juice, lower the acidity of free acid and total acid, and inhibit the activity of pepsin.

Raw ban xia had obvious inhibitory effect on gastric secretary function in normal rats, but had obvious promoting effect on gastrointestinal movements.

2. Refractory vomiting and hiccup

Compound Sheng Ban Xia Tang (experiential formula): sheng ban xia, xuan fu hua, tai zi shen, huo xiang, 10g each; sheng jiang 20g; chen pi 6g; fu ling 15g; shi di 10 pieces. With Stomach Heat, add huang qin; with Stomach Cold, add ding xiang; with Liver depression, add chai hu. 1 dose every day. 104 cases of refractory vomiting and hiccup were treated, 91 cured, 10 markedly effective, 3 improved and 2 ineffective. The formula was not suitable for prolonged use, usually 3~4 doses were administrated.

Huo Xiang/Agastache

1. Effects on digestive system

Huo Xiang could promote the secretions of gastric juice and increase the digestive function. It could also inhibit the spasm of gastrointestinal tract smooth muscles.

2. Infantile diarrhoea

Huo Ma Ping Wei Tang (huo xiang, cang zhu, 6g each; ye ma cao 15g; che qian zi 9g; hou po, chen pi 4.5g; fen gan cao 3g; sheng jiang 3 pieces, da zao 5~7 pieces) was used to treat 112 cases of infantile diarrhoea and all were cured.

Hou Po Hua/Magnolia Flower

Pungent to the taste, warm in nature, and distributes to the Lung and Stomach Channels. It is indicated in sinusitis and headache, accompanied with obstruction of the nose, purulent nasal discharge, loss of smelling; usually it is regarded as a medicine especially for the treatment of sinusitis. For the treatment of nose sinusitis due to invasion by wind-cold, it may be combined with Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, Herba Asari, etc, for that due to wind-heat, it may be combined with Herba Menthae, Radix Scutellariae, and etc.

Stimulates Gastrin production.

Sha Ren/Fructus Amomi

1. Effects on digestive system

0.25~0.75% water decoction of yang chun sha had exciting effect on isolated intestinal canal; while 1~1.25% water decoction and saturated water solution of volatile oil had inhibitory effect. 0.25~0.75% water decoction of suo sha ren also had exciting effect. Sha ren could promote stomach function and the secretions of digestive juice, and discharge the accumulated gas in the digestive canal.

2. Gastritis and ulcer

Equal amount of sha ren and chen xiang were grounded into fine powder and capsulated, 0.3g each capsule, 4 capsules, bid~tid, 10 days as a course of treatment. Among 82 treated cases of acute gastritis, 52 were cured, 24 improved and 6 ineffective; among 295 treated cases of chronic superficial gastritis, 176 were cured, 93 improved and 26 ineffective; among 204 treated cases of gastric ulcer, 133 were cured, 55 improved and 16 ineffective.

References

1. Yokotani. Folia Pharmacologica Japonica 1960 56(6):1396.

2. Acute Abdomen Research Unit, Zunyi Medical College. Xinyiyaoxue Zazhi (Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine) 1974 (12):39.

3. Zhongshan Medical College et al. Pharmacology. People's Medical Publishing House. 1979. p. 478.

4. Baraboi VA. Chemical Abstracts 1969 71:1957v.

5. Wang JM. Shanghai Zhongyiyao Zazhi (Shanghai Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine) 1957 (9):44.

6. Heng GS. Polia Pharmacologica Japonica 1970 56(6):1373.

7. "Clinical Application of Chinese Traditional Drugs". New Chinese Medicine 1972 (6):43.

8. Xu YW et al. Acta Academiae Medicinae Henan 1964 18:1.

9. Fan WF. Northeastern Medical Journal 1952 (10):26.