Effectiveness of Fuling () and its extracts against spleen deficiency in rats tonifying spleen.

OBJECTIVE: To observe and explore the effect of Fuling () in alleviating the spleen deficiency symptom pattern (SDSP). METHODS: We established an animal model of SDS in Sprague-Dawley () rats by treating them with deficiency-inducing factors, including irregular feeding and tail clamping. Mice were administered Fuling () and its extracts (raw/cooked powder, aqueous/alcohol extract) by gavage once a day for 21 d. The body weight, rectal temperature, and spleen and thymus organ coefficients were calculated. The levels of motilin (MTL), gastrin (GAS), aquaporin 2 (AQP2), interleukin 2 (IL-2), IL-4, and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in the serum and the level of AQP2 in the kidneys were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Fuling () and its extracts did not change the body weight, rectal temperature, and organ coefficients of the spleen and thymus. However, it reduced the levels of MTL and GAS and increased the levels of IL-2 and AQP2. In addition, the levels of IL-4 and 5-HT showed no significant alteration. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested the crucial function of () in SDSP, especially promoting digestive function and water metabolism.