STUDIES ON THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF ZANG HONG HUA(CROCUS SATIVUS L.)——Ⅰ.EFFECTS ON UTERUS AND OESTROUS CYCLE

1. Various extracts of Zang Hong Hua were studied on isolated horns of uteri of guinea-pigs, rabbits, and dogs, both gravid and non-gravid. 2. The stimulating action of various extracts of Zang Hong Hua occurred in uteri of all animals, whether gravid or not. The excised organs and intact uteri gave similar effects. The mechanism of action was discussed. The effect seems to be both myogenic and neurogenic. 3. When mice were fed a diet containing 0.23-2% Zang Hong Hua powder for three weeks, the duration of complete cornification of vaginal epithelium was prolonged from normal 1-2 days to 3-4 days. 4. The oral LD₅₀ of the decoction in mice was found to be 20.7 g(Crude drug)/kg.