Modulation of acute and chronic inflammatory processes by a traditional medicine preparation GCSB-5 both in vitro and in vivo animal models.

Abstract

AIM OF THIS STUDY:

GCSB-5 is a traditional medicine preparation composed with six oriental herbs which have been widely used for the inflammatory diseases in Asia. In the present study, we have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of GCSB-5 in vivo and in vitro along with its underlying mechanism of action.

METHODS:

The acute and chronic inflammation models in animals were applied to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of GCSB-5. To further investigate the mechanism of the anti-inflammatory activity, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells were also employed.

RESULTS:

In in vivo animal model, oral administration of GCSB-5 significantly inhibited TPA- and carrageenan-induced acute edema and adjuvant-induced arthritis. The vascular permeability, leukocyte migration, and granuloma formation were also inhibited by GCSB-5. In accordance, GCSB-5 suppressed the LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production by the downregulation of mRNA and protein expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). GCSB-5 also suppressed the expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1beta and interferon-beta. The activation of NF-kappaB by LPS was also alleviated by GCSB-5, which correlated with its inhibitory effect on IkB degradation. The signaling pathway with the activation of Akt was also attenuated by the treatment by GCSB-5.

CONCLUSIONS:

Taken together, our results demonstrate that GCSB-5 reduces the development of acute and chronic inflammation and its anti-inflammatory property might in part be a function of the inhibition of iNOS and COX-2 expression via down-regulation of the Akt signal pathway and inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. These findings suggest that GCSB-5 might be an applicable therapeutic traditional medicine in the regulation of the inflammatory response.

• Authors: Hwa-Jin Chung, Hak-Sun Lee, Joon-Shik Shin, Sang-Ho Lee, Byung-Mo Park, You-Suk Youn, Sang Kook Lee
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 130 Issue 3 Pg. 450-9 (Aug 09 2010) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 20621661 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• NF-kappa B
• Plant Extracts
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
• Cyclooxygenase 2
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Cell Line
• Chronic Disease
• Cyclooxygenase 2 (drug effects, genetics)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Inflammation (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Macrophages (drug effects, metabolism)
• Male
• Medicine, East Asian Traditional
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• NF-kappa B (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II (drug effects, genetics)
• Phytotherapy (methods)
• Plant Extracts (pharmacology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt (drug effects, metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley