Objective To determine whether the anti-inflammatory properties of Shuxiong Tablet (SXT) and the effective components group of SXT (ECGS) are equivalent and to assess the formulary rationality. Methods ECGS consisted of Panax notoginsen saponion (PNS), hydroxysafflor yellow A, and ferulic acid plus volatile oil of Ligusticum chuanxiong, which was based on the active ingredients and their ratios in SXT. We compared the anti-inflammatory actions of ECGS and SXT using the xylene-induced edema model and the carrageenan-induced edema model, as well as the analgesic activity of them using the acetic acid-induced writhing model. Moreover, cultured macrophages were incubated with media containing serum isolated from SXT-, ECGS-, or every component of ECGS-treated rats, to compare the depress effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. Results ECGS and SXT had equivalent anti-inflammatory actions and analgesic effects at an equipotent dosage in a dose-dependent manner. The drug-containing media could inhibit the LPS-stimulated NO production and iNOS expression in cultured macrophages. A 2 × 2 × 2 ANOVA revealed that three effective components could produce synergistic effect on the inhibition of NO production, and PNS was the capital component. Conclusion ECGS and SXT display an equivalent anti-inflammatory effect, and the formula follows traditional Chinese medicine compatibility principle, which shows obvious formulary rationality.
WEI Wei, XIE Sheng-rong, FU Ji-hua, LIU Wen, QI Jian-ping, PING Qi-neng Department of Physiology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nangjing 210009, China
