Anti-inflammatory effect of Sasim extracts in PHA-stimulated THP-1 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from cerebral infarction patients

J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 May 30;112(1):32-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.01.029. Epub 2007 Jan 31.

Abstract

Sasim, a prescription composed of seven herbal mixtures, has been widely used for the treatment of cerebral infarction as an oriental medicine in Korea. However, the mechanisms by which the formula affects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarct patients remain unknown yet. The levels of secretory protein and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interlukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, were significantly increased in both THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells (T/M) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarct patients at 24h after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (p<0.05). However, pretreatment of Sasim strongly suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PHA-stimulated T/M cells and PBMCs. Moreover, Sasim significantly suppressed the transcriptional levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PHA-stimulated THP-1/M cells. These data indicate that Sasim may be beneficial in the cessation of inflammatory processes of cerebral infarction through suppression on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of mRNA expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line
  • Cerebral Infarction / blood*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis*
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Korea
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism*
  • Macrophage Activation
  • Medicine, East Asian Traditional
  • Monocytes / metabolism*
  • Phytohemagglutinins / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Phytohemagglutinins
  • Plant Extracts
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sasim