Anti‐Inflammatory Effects of Modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction

Abstract

Background/Aims. Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD) is a traditional Chinese and Korean herbal medicine prescription that has been widely used to treat various diseases including cerebral ischemia, gynecological disease, and neurological disorders. BHD is commonly used as a variable modified combination for synergistic therapeutic effects. However, the mechanism by which modified BHD (mBHD) produces anti‐inflammatory effects has not been elucidated yet. The purpose of this study was to develop mBHD with diminished potential side effects and verify its anti‐inflammatory effects. Methods . A cytotoxicity assay for BHD was performed using the MTT assay. Following treatment with BHD, mBHD‐1, and mBHD‐2 in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), nitric oxide (NO) secretion was detected in cell supernatants using a NO detection kit. The expression of proinflammatory mediators was detected using RT‐PCR and western blotting. To verify the mechanism of mBHD, specific inhibitors of JNK (SP600125) or p38 (SB203580) were used for co‐treatment with mBHD, and then the changes in NO and nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured. Results . Both mBHD‐1 and mBHD‐2 showed greater anti‐inflammatory effects than BHD. Both mBHD‐1 and mBHD‐2 inhibited NO secretion and decreased the expression of IL‐1 β , IL‐6, TNF‐ α , and iNOS. Treatment with a p38 inhibitor and a JNK inhibitor in mBHD‐1‐ and mBHD‐2‐treated cells resulted in inhibition of NO and iNOS. Conclusion . We provided the first experimental evidence that mBHD may be a more useful anti‐inflammatory than BHD. High concentrations or long‐term use of BHD may be harmful to inflammatory status. Therefore, the length of treatment and concentration should be considered depending on the targeted disease.