Dokhwaljihwang-tang inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Objectives: Dokhwaljihwang-tang, one of the prescriptions in Four Constitution medicine, has been used to treat neurological disorders. This work was aimed to examine the effect of Dokhwaljihwang-tang on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the lesser yang subjects. Methods: The inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 4 and tumor necrosis factor were measured using the ELISA. The interleukin 1 beta mRNA expression was evaluated with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. The expression level of nuclear factor kappa B was examined by western blotting. Results: Dokhwaljihwang-tang significantly inhibited interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 4 production (p<0.05). When Dokhwaljihwang-tang was pre-treated at the dose of 1 mg/ml, it not only decreased the interleukin 1 beta mRNA expression, but also inhibited the activation of nuclear factor kappa B. Discussion: These results suggest the potential of Dokhwaljihwang-tang as a source of pharmaceutical acupuncture for neuronal inflammatory diseases. [Neurol Res 2010; 32: 48-52]