Evaluation of Efficacy evaluation of Hwangryunhaedok-tang and Gungangbuja-tang on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation mouse model

Abstract

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT) and Gungangbuja-tang (GBT) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of inflammation. HHT and GBT are one of the representative prescriptions of cold drug and one of the representative prescriptions of hot drug, respectively. For experimental evaluation of their efficacy, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of HHT and GBT on LPS-induced inflammation and the mechanisms of their action. Methods : ICR mice were given a HHT (50, 500 mg/kg), GBT (100, 1000 mg/kg) extract orally on three consecutive days. On the third day, they were administered LPS intraperitoneally (35 mg/kg), 1 h after the last sample administration. Blood and liver samples were taken 6 h after the LPS challenge. Cytokine expression and inflammation-related protein factor analyses were performed by Western blotting. Results : Oral administration of HHT significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, and interferon (IFN)- in the serum. While GBT inhibited an increase of IL-6, IFN- was not affected. Immunoblot analysis showed that LPS-induced NF- activation was inhibited by GBT, meanwhile HHT only inhibited NF- expression at high does (500 mg/kg). In addition, HHT and GBT inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2, Jnk and p38 MAPKs. GBT also significantly inhibited i-Nos and Cox-2 expression, and HHT inhibited only i-Nos expression. Conclusions : Both of HHT and GBT showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-induced endotoxemia. However, HHT significantly decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, such as IL-6 and IFN- more than GBT, while GBT significantly inhibited inflammatory proteins, including NF-, MAP Kinases, i-Nos and Cox-2, more than HHT. These results suggest that HHT and GBT regulate the different mechanisms of action and pathways, presumably by regulating cytokine levels (IL-6, IFN-), NF- activation, and several pro-inflammatory gene expression, although both of HHT and GBT have anti-inflammatory effects.