The traditional Japanese formula keishibukuryogan inhibits the production of inflammatory cytokines by dermal endothelial cells

Mediators Inflamm. 2010:2010:804298. doi: 10.1155/2010/804298. Epub 2010 Dec 28.

Abstract

Keishibukuryogan (KBG) is one of the traditional herbal formulations widely administered to patients with blood stagnation for improving blood circulation; currently, it is the most frequently prescribed medicine in Japan. KBG has been reported to improve conjunctional microcirculation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of KBG and paeoniflorin, a bioactive compound of KBG, in inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines using human dermal microvessel endothelial cells (HDMECs). The authors observed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/mL) stimulated the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in HDMECs. KBG treatment (10 mg/mL) significantly suppressed the mRNA levels of migration inhibitory factor (MIF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in LPS-stimulated cultured HDMECs. Similarly, paeoniflorin significantly suppressed the mRNA levels of these cytokines in LPS-stimulated cultured HDMECs. ELISA showed that KBG and paeoniflorin suppressed the production of MIF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated HDMECs. Moreover, KBG and paeoniflorin decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in these cells. These results suggest that KBG may be useful for improving microvascular inflammation in patients with skin diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / biosynthesis
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / drug therapy*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology
  • Microcirculation
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • keishibukuryogan
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Cyclooxygenase 2