【Wu Zhu Yu Tang - Contraindications】
1. This formula is not suitable for use in cases of heat-induced vomiting, headache, or abdominal pain.
2. After taking this formula, some individuals may experience discomfort in the chest, worsened headache, or dizziness. However, these reactions usually disappear after about half an hour. It is recommended to rest for a while after taking the medicine to alleviate these reactions.
【Wu Zhu Yu Tang - Pharmacological Effects】
Primary effects include antiemetic, antidiarrheal, anti-ulcer, inhibition of gastric motility, cardiotonic, blood pressure elevation, anti-shock, improvement of microcirculation, and enhancement of immune function.
Antiemetic
When Wu Zhu Yu Tang was administered to pigeons at a dose of 1g/100g and followed by intragastric administration of 2% copper sulfate at a dose of 1ml/100g, the time to first vomiting (latency period) and the frequency of vomiting within one hour were recorded. The results showed that this formula had a significant antiemetic effect, with a latency period of 23.90±4.70 minutes and a vomiting frequency of 3.5±0.8 times per hour, compared to the control group with a latency period of 16.60±4.80 minutes and a vomiting frequency of 6.6±1.1 times per hour. Orthogonal experimental studies have proven that Wu Zhu Yu is the most important ingredient for its antiemetic effect, and when combined with Sheng Jiang, the effect is enhanced. The optimal composition is to use all four ingredients as described in the original formula.
Antidiarrheal
When Wu Zhu Yu Tang was administered to mice at a dose of 20g/kg, followed by intragastric administration of 12.5g/kg cold-infused Rheum officinale extract after one hour, the number of loose stools in the animals after seven hours was 2.96±0.55, compared to 4.75±0.64 in the control group. The warming and tonifying effect of Wu Zhu Yu Tang on the spleen may be related to its inhibition of intestinal motility, relief of intestinal spasms, and promotion of intestinal absorption. Wu Zhu Yu Tang at a concentration of 2.6×10^-2g/ml significantly inhibited the spontaneous activity of the isolated duodenum in rabbits. It also antagonized the spastic contractions induced by acetylcholine chloride (at a concentration of 5.7×10^-8g/ml), resulting in decreased tension and contraction amplitude and reduced contraction frequency. The intestinal propulsion rates of the Wu Zhu Yu Tang group, atropine group, and saline group were 26.5±4.7%, 37.3±5.3%, and 65.3±4.8%, respectively, indicating that Wu Zhu Yu Tang can inhibit small intestinal propulsion. Even after administration of methyl scopolamine, Wu Zhu Yu Tang still reduced the intestinal propulsion rate. In the Wu Zhu Yu Tang group (at a dose of 30g/kg), the rate was 37.7±3.2%, in the atropine group (at a dose of 10mg/kg) it was 30.5±5.4%, and in the scopolamine group it was 68.8±4.1%. The differences between the saline group and the other two groups were significant. Before administration of Wu Zhu Yu Tang, the water absorption volume (ml) and CI^-- absorption volume (mg/100ml) in mice were 0.83±0.82 and 69.21±25.89, respectively. After administration, they increased to 1.08±0.12 and 110.93±199.92, respectively, indicating a significant increase in absorption volume compared to before administration. Similarly, in rats, the water and CI^- absorption volumes before administration were 1.19±0.26 and 71.85±23.84, respectively, and after administration they increased to 1.70±0.31 and 114.08±18.93, respectively.
Anti-ulcer
This formula has a significant protective effect against stress-induced gastric mucosal bleeding and ulcers in rats induced by cold water immersion. The ulcer index in the treatment group was 7.25±1.04, compared to 15.71±1.83 in the control group. It also has a good preventive and therapeutic effect on pyloric ligation-induced gastric ulcers in rats. The ulcer index in the treatment group was 14.17±7.68, compared to 39.44±8.25 in the control group. It can also significantly reduce the gastric acid secretion in ulcerated rats and significantly increase the pH value of gastric acid. This medicine also has a significant inhibitory effect on gastric acid secretion in normal rats, resulting in decreased acidity of gastric acid.
Inhibition of Gastric Motility
Wu Zhu Yu Tang can significantly inhibit gastric emptying and increase the residual rate in mice. When administered orally at a dose of 30g/kg, the residual rate was 34.29±8.87%, compared to 23.6±63.83% in the control group. At a concentration of 1×10^-2g/ml, it can inhibit the spontaneous activity of rat gastric strips, resulting in decreased tension and contraction amplitude. It also has a significant antagonistic effect on spasmodic contractions of gastric strips induced by acetylcholine chloride and barium chloride. It reduces tension and contraction amplitude and slows down the contraction frequency. It has been found to inhibit small intestinal propulsion. After administration of Wu Zhu Yu Tang, the small intestinal propulsion rates in mice were 26.5±4.7% for the treatment group, 37.3±5.3% for the atropine group, and 65.3±4.8% for the saline group. When methysergide was administered, Wu Zhu Yu Tang still reduced the small intestinal propulsion rate, with rates of 37.7±3.2% for the Wu Zhu Yu Tang group, 30.5±5.4% for the atropine group, and 68.8±4.1% for the saline group. The differences between the saline group and the other two groups were significant. Before administration of Wu Zhu Yu Tang, the water absorption volume (ml) and CI^- absorption volume (mg/100ml) in mice were 0.83±0.82 and 69.21±25.89, respectively. After administration, they increased to 1.08±0.12 and 110.93±199.92, respectively. In rats, the water and CI^- absorption volumes before administration were 1.19±0.26 and 71.85±23.84, respectively. After administration, they increased to 1.70±0.31 and 114.08±18.93, respectively.
Cardiotonic
When administered to isolated frog hearts at concentrations of 0.5×10^-3g/ml, 1×10^-3g/ml, and 2×10^-3g/ml, the heart stroke volume (d/min) before administration was 72.7±26.1. After administration, it increased to 96.3±34.7, 104.5±35.5, and 110.2±30.4, respectively, all showing significant differences compared to before administration. The myocardial contractility (mm) before administration was 4.1±1.4. After administration, it increased to 5.4±2.2, 6.5±2.7, and 7.3±3.9, respectively, with significant differences observed for the higher two concentrations. There was no difference in heart rate before and after administration at the three concentrations. When administered to rabbits through the auricular vein at a dose of 0.3g/kg, the myocardial contractility (mm) increased from 6.5±1.3 to 11.7±2.9, showing a significant difference. After observing for 30 minutes, an appropriate amount of 2% pentobarbital sodium was intravenously given. After a significant decrease in myocardial contractility, Wu Zhu Yu Tang was administered again, resulting in myocardial contractility (mm) of 8.5±1.8 and 12.8±2.9 before and after administration, respectively, with a significant difference. The characteristics of the cardiotonic effect of Wu Zhu Yu Tang include a small dosage, long duration of action, and no increase in myocardial oxygen consumption due to lack of isoproterenol-like effects.
Blood Pressure Elevation
Wu Zhu Yu Tang was administered intravenously through the femoral vein in dogs at a dose of 0.2g/kg. Before administration, the blood pressure was 13.29±5.71 kPa (X±SD, the same below). After administration, the blood pressure increased, with a peak of 24.36±5.60 kPa and a difference of 10.79±1.24. Similarly, when administered to rats through the right femoral vein at a dose of 1.04g/kg, the blood pressure increased from 13.49±1.55 kPa to a peak of 21.49±1.97 kPa, showing a significant difference. Wu Zhu Yu Tang has a rapid hypertensive effect, which may present as a bimodal increase followed by a slow decrease. It also has an antihypertensive effect similar to adrenaline, but with a smaller magnitude of decrease in blood pressure. The increase in blood pressure is accompanied by a decrease in heart rate. Wu Zhu Yu Tang also has a significant alpha-stimulating effect and a weaker but more persistent beta-stimulating effect, making it a mixed alpha and beta receptor agonist.
Anti-Shock
Wu Zhu Yu Tang was intravenously infused through the auricular vein in rabbits with late-stage hemorrhagic shock at a dose of 10ml/kg (diluted with saline to a concentration of 0.5g/ml). The survival rates after 3 hours and 6 hours were 11/11 and 7/11, respectively, compared to 6/11 and 1/11 in the control group (given an equal amount of saline). After bleeding, the urine output in rabbits significantly decreased. Compared to the control group, Wu Zhu Yu Tang significantly increased urine output, with 3ml/3 hours in the treatment group compared to 0ml/hour in the saline group.
Improvement of Microcirculation
When slowly infused through the auricular vein in rabbits anesthetized with urethane, Wu Zhu Yu Tang at a dose of 0.3ml/kg increased the number of arteriolar anastomoses and decreased the number of capillary network intersections within 1-3 minutes after administration. From 3-5 minutes, the arterioles began to recover and gradually dilate, and the capillary network intersections returned to normal. After 10 minutes, the arterioles dilated further, and the number of capillaries increased significantly. After 30 minutes, the microcirculation still did not return to normal. After administration, the microvascular blood flow velocity increased rapidly. Some microcirculatory abnormalities improved, with rouleaux turning into linear aggregates and linear aggregates turning into linear flow. Three rabbits had red blood cell aggregation in their microvessels, and after administration of Wu Zhu Yu Tang, all of them improved.
Enhancement of Immune Function
Experimental studies have shown that immune function is impaired in individuals with spleen deficiency. When Wu Zhu Yu Tang was administered to mice with spleen deficiency at a dose of 0.2ml/10g body weight for 6 days (at a concentration of 1g/ml), the thymus/weight ratio (%) was 0.07±0.01 and the mononuclear macrophage phagocytic index was 0.05±0.01, both significantly higher than in the control group. This confirms that Wu Zhu Yu Tang can increase thymus weight and enhance the phagocytic activity of the mononuclear macrophage system.
