Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of traditional Chinese herb pairs, Angelica sinensis and Sophora flavescens

Inflammation. 2012 Jun;35(3):913-9. doi: 10.1007/s10753-011-9393-6.

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity of Angelica sinensis extract (AE), Sophora flavescens extract (SE), and herb pair A. sinensis and S. flavescens extract (HPE). Endotoxin-induced uveitis (EIU) was induced in rats by a footpad injection of lipopolysaccharide. The anti-inflammatory potential of AE, SE, and HPE in the regulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), maleic dialdehyde (MDA), polymorphonuclear cells (PMN), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) was determined by ELISA and immunohistochemistry. HPE showed strong antibacterial activity at all tested concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μg/ml) to Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Shigella Castellani and Chalmers. HPE significantly inhibited EIU-induced upregulation of NF-κB activation and the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, iNOS, ICAM-1, and COX-2. Moreover, HPE suppressed MDA and infiltration of PMN. The study supports the hypothesis that the antipimple and anti-eczema activities of Dangguikushen compound recipe are attributed to herb pairs, A. sinensis and S. flavescens, used in combination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / blood
  • Angelica sinensis*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Drug Combinations
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Lipopolysaccharides / immunology
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Neutrophils / drug effects
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Shigella / drug effects
  • Sophora*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Uveitis / chemically induced
  • Uveitis / drug therapy*

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Interleukin-1beta
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Plant Extracts
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1
  • malealdehyde
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Cyclooxygenase 2