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Updated: Jan 12, 2026
Simple and Computer-assisted Olfactory Testing for Mice
Published on: June 15, 2015
Effects of Toki Shakuyaku San on Olfactory Function in a Postmenopausal Mouse Model
Masami Kumai1,2, Mitsuharu Aga1,3, Tomoko Ishikura1
1Otorhinolaryngology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, JPN.
Objective:
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Toki Shakuyaku San (TSS) on olfactory function in a mouse model of sensorineural olfactory dysfunction, with a focus on the estrogen-deficient state. We investigated whether TSS promotes olfactory neuronal regeneration and recovery of odor-evoked behavior in both sham-operated and ovariectomized (OVX) mice to clarify its potential therapeutic value in postmenopausal olfactory impairment.
Methods:
Female BALB/c mice underwent ovariectomy or sham surgery, followed by methimazole administration to induce olfactory epithelial injury. Mice were fed either a control diet or a diet containing 0.5% TSS. Odor aversion behavior was evaluated using a light-dark box, and olfactory marker protein (OMP) expression in the nasal epithelium was analyzed by immunohistochemistry on Day 14. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results:
In sham-operated mice, those fed a TSS-containing diet exhibited significantly longer odor aversion time at day 14 when compared to the mice fed a control diet (P = 0.007). A significantly higher number of OMP-positive cells was observed in the superior nasal septum (R1) of TSS-fed mice than in control-fed mice (P = 0.03). In OVX mice, no significant differences were observed between the TSS-fed and control-fed groups in odor aversion behavior (P = 0.11) or in the number of OMP-positive cells in any of the four regions of the olfactory epithelium (P > 0.05).
Conclusion:
Our results suggest that the effects of TSS on olfactory recovery may depend on the presence of estrogen, and its efficacy could be influenced by the hormonal status.
