Objective: To make preliminary study on the chemical foundation of hematopoietic effect of si-wu-tang.
Method: Si-wu-tang was fractionated by using precipitation method with ethanol and liquid-liquid extraction. Activity was investigated on radiated mice as model of blood deficiency.
Result: At first si-wu-tang was separated into three fractions, fraction A, B and C. Activity study showed that fraction B and C could raise the amount of peripheral white blood cell in radiated mice. Then fraction B and C were respectively further separated into fraction B1, B2, B3 and fraction C1, C2, C3. Activity study showed that fraction C2, C3 and B3 could raise the amount of peripheral white blood cell in radiated mice. Furthermore, effect of fraction C1, C2, C3, B and paeoniflorin on hematopoietic progenitor cell in bone marrow of radiated mice were investigated. Fraction C2, C3, B and paeoniflorin could promote the proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cell in bone marrow of radiated mice.
Conclusion: Fraction C2, C3, B and paeoniflorin are responsible for hematopoietic activity of si-wu-tang.