The Ethical Kampo Formulation Sho-Seiryu-To (TJ-19) Prevents Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats

Abstract

The effects of Sho-seiryu-to (TJ-19), an ethical Kampo formulation, on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats was examined. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal instillation of a single dose of BLM (5 mg/kg). The TJ-19 used consisted of at least 21 constituents, as determined by three-dimensional HPLC analysis, and was administered orally twice a day at a dose of 1.5 g/kg until the end of the study period. Changes in general appearance and body weight were monitored. Twenty-eight days after BLM instillation, the animals were sacrificed and the study parameters were measured. TJ-19 attenuated the loss in body weight, increase in lung/body weight ratio and concentration of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde in the lung tissues induced by BLM administration. TJ-19 also prevented BLM-induced fibrotic changes in the lung histology. These protective effects of TJ-19 were observed when administration was started 1 week before and simultaneously with the instillation of BLM. These results suggest that TJ-19 has prophylactic potential against BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and may therefore be a promising drug candidate and medicinal resource for preventing BLM-induced and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.