Alcohol-based extract of Bai Zhu has a significant inhibitory effect on the spontaneous contraction of in-vitro uteruses of virgin mice, and on the excitatory uterine contraction induced by oxytocin or Yimucao. This effect increases with herbal concentration. It can also completely counteract oxytocin-induced uterine tonic contraction in pregnant guinea pigs.( 13) Research has found that Chinese herbs that invigorate the spleen and tonify the kidney, such as Bai Zhu, have anti-mutation effects.( 14) Experiments show that Bai Zhu is effective in raising the total serum proteins in rats of vinegar-induced spleen-qi deficiency. The herb can significantly strengthen the spleen.( 15) Experiments on animals show that Bai Zhu can significantly increase the TH cell count and the TH/TS ratio, correct the maldistribution of T-cell subpopulation, and increase the decreased IL-2 cell count and the expression of IL-2R on the surface of T lymphocytes.( 16) Administered at certain dosages, Bai Zhu polysaccharides can 1) increase the weight of the thymus gland and the spleen, 2) counteract the cyclophosphamide-induced decrease in leukocytes, 3) increase the phagocytic function of celiac macrophage, and 4) promote T lymphocyte transmission and hemolysin production.( 17) Bai Zhu's effect of regulating mice's peritoneal pores indicates that the herb has strong regulatory effects on peritoneal pores. It is an effective treatment for ascites.( 18)
Administered to mice by gastric infusion for four consecutive weeks, Bai Zhu decoction enhanced the activity of total blood GSH-PX.( 19) Studies also show that it may be able to increase the activity of SOD in mice older than 12 months, counteract red blood cell hemolysis by self oxidation, and clear active oxygen free radicals.( 20) Experiments show that administered at smaller dosages, the decoction of Bai Zhu has a slight inhibitory effect on the contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum smooth muscles; administered at larger dosages, however, it tends to strengthen the contraction, and this effect appears to increase with dosage.( 21) Based on Bai Zhu's effects on the number and size of renal corpuscles, the rate of sclerosis renal corpuscles, the width of Bowman's space, etc., research concludes that Bai Zhu has an antiaging effect on the kidney.( 22) Experiments show that Bai Zhu can significantly promote the proliferation rate of CFU-E and BFU-E colonies.( 23) |