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

OBJECTIVE:To observe and explore the effect of Fuling(Poria) in alleviating the spleen deficiency symptom pattern(SDSP).METHODS:We established an animal model of SDS in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats by treating them with deficiency-inducing factors,including irregular feeding and tail clamping.Mice were administered Fuling(Poria) 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(Poria) 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 Fuling(Poria) in SDSP,especially promoting digestive function and water metabolism.