Effects of Administration of an Extract of Tu-chung Leaf (Eucommia ulmoides, Oliver) on Muscle Protein Synthesis in Mice

Abstract

oldest herbs known and, from ancient times, its medical uses -such as to strengthen the intestinal organs and heart, to provide vigor of spirit, to remove fatigue, to prevent aging, and to strengthen bone and muscleshave been noted in China.l) However, its precise metabolic effects were not clear. Several investigators have confirmed the hypotensive action of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Tu-chung bark in various animals.2~4) It was considered that the systemic arterial hypotension caused by the Tuchung extract was peripheral vasodilation by its direct action on vascular smooth muscle.4) Manyappreciably morpho-pharmacological changes were also observed by feeding a water extract of Tu-chung.5) Takahashi et al.6) reported that in white laying hens the average oviposition rate of the group given Tu-chung leaves was improved, and also the contents of protein and RNA in the liver and muscle were significantly higher than those of hens 3133