Research on Fuzi based on animal thermotropism behavior to discover if it has fewer “hot” characteristics without Ganjiang

Abstract Objective To investigate whether Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Praeparata) has fewer “hot” characteristics when administered without Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis). Methods Differences in the thermotropism behaviors of mice treated either with Fuzi (Radix Aconiti Praeparata), Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) or the combination of the two given intragastrically were investigated using the Animal Thermotropism Behavior Surveillance System. The water intake volume, oxygen consumption volume, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity were determined during the investigation. Results When Fuzi and Ganjiang were administered together, the rate at which mice remained on a warm plate (“remaining rate”) and the times and distances of their movement were all significantly reduced ( P P P Conclusion The behavior of mice tending toward “cold” tropism can be regarded as a quantitative reflection of Fuzi having fewer characteristics consistent w ith a “hot” nature when not used with Ganjiang, the functional mechanism of which may be a change in the ATPase activity in liver tissue.