Core)ease possesses anti-inflammatory activities via decreasing production of pro-inflammatory mediators through suppression of the signaling pathways of NF-B, TNF, IL-6, COX-2 and MAPKs in LPS-induced macrophage cells. More importantly, results demonstrate a powerful anti-oedema effect (Cha et al, 2013).
Digestion Calming Formula (Ping Wei San / Calm the Stomach) is based on a traditional basic herbal formula used as a remedy for common gastrointestinal disorders, like gastritis, oesophageal reflux, gastric or duodenal ulcers, and acute or chronic enteritis (Riedlinger, Tan & Lu, 2001; Shin et al, 2011). In addition, this formula is also prescribed for treatment of gynaecological disorders such as amenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and cervicitis. Several studies have also reported on the use of Ping Wei San for treatment of eczema, pertussis, reduced libido in men, erectile dysfunction, and halitosis (Scheid & Bensky, 2009).
In addition, results of different antioxidant tests, including 1, 1-diphenyl-2picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion radical scavenging, metal chelating, hydrogen peroxide scavenging, lipid peroxidation protective effect, and scavenging effect of nitric oxide and peroxynitrite have demonstrated the antioxidative activities of Balanced Centre (Yi & Moon, 2007). In addition, Seo et al, 2011 reported that Balanced Centre exhibited anti-inflammatory activity, mainly through inhibition of PGE2 production.
However, the molecular action and mechanism behind anti-inflammatory activities of PWS have not been elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the effects of PWS on NF-κB and MAPKs signaling pathways and NF-κB-regulated induction of COX-2, iNOS, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in macrophages. In addition, the effects of Balanced Centre on the carrageenan-induced acute oedematous inflammation were evaluated by histopathology and histomorphometry.
In particular, effects on the changes of total skin thicknesses (from epidermis to dermis), infiltrated inflammatory and mast cell numbers, and COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-α-positive cell numbers were also observed in the present study. These results provide a basis for the molecular mechanism for understanding the effects of Balanced Centre on inflammation.
References
Cha J Y, Jung Ji Yun, Jung Jae Yup, Lee J R, Cho I J, Ku S K, Byun S H, Ahn TI, Lee C W, Kim S W, and An W G. Inhibitory Effects of Traditional Herbal Formula Pyungwi-San on Inflammatory Response In Vitro and In Vivo. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2013, Article ID 630198, 19 pages
Riedlinger J. E, Tan P. W, and Lu W., “Pyungwi-san, a Chinese medicine for gastrointestinal disorders,” Annals of Pharmacotherapy, vol. 35, no. 2, pp. 228–235, 2001.
Scheid V, Bensky D, Ellis A, and Barolet R. Chinese Herbal Medicine Formulas & Strategies, Eastland Press, Seattle, Wash, USA, 2009
Seo C. S., Lee J. A., Jung D. et al., “Simultaneous determination of liquiritin, hesperidin, and glycyrrhizin by HPLC-photodiode array detection and the anti-inflammatory effect of Pyungwi-san,” Archives of Pharmacal Research, vol. 34, no. 2, pp. 203–210, 2011.
Shin I. S, Seo C. S, Ha H. K. et al, “Genotoxicity assessment of Pyungwi-san (PWS), a traditional herbal prescription,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 133, no. 2, pp. 696–703, 2011.
Yi H. S. and Moon J. Y, “Scavenging property of Pyungwi-san herbal-acupuncture solution on ROS and RNS,” Korean Journal of Oriental Physiology and Pathology, vol. 21, pp. 165–170, 2007.
