Effect of Hochuekkito (Buzhongyiqitang) on Nasal Cavity Colonization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Murine Model

Abstract

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are largely preceded by colonization with MRSA. Hochuekkito is the formula composing 10 herbal medicines in traditional Kampo medicine to treat infirmity and to stimulate immune functions. We evaluated the efficacy of hochuekkito extract (HET) against MRSA colonization using a nasal infection murine model. Methods: We evaluated the effects of HET as follows: (1) the growth inhibition by measuring turbidity of bacterial culture in vitro, (2) the nasal colonization of MRSA by measuring bacterial counts, and (3) the splenocyte proliferation in mice orally treated with HET by the 3H-thymidine uptake assay. Results: HET significant inhibited the growth of MRSA. The colony forming unit (CFU) in the nasal fluid of HET-treated mice was significantly lower than that of HET-untreated mice. When each single crude drug—Astragali radix, Bupleuri radix, Zingiberis rhizoma, and Cimicifugae rhizome—was removed from hochuekkito formula, the effect of the formula significantly weakened. The uptake of 3H-thymidine into murine splenocytes treated with HET was significantly higher than that from untreated mice. The effects of the modified formula described above were also significantly weaker than those of the original formula. Conclusions: Hochuekkito is effective for the treatment of MRSA nasal colonization in the murine model. We suggest HET as the therapeutic candidate for effective therapy on nasal cavity colonization of MRSA in humans.

Basic pharmacological mechanisms and clinical evidence of the efficacy of hochuekkito against infectious diseases and its potential for use against COVID‐19

“…HET has an effect on innate immunity as shown by increases in NK activity and cytokines. In infection models of bacterial [23,26–30] and viral infection [31–36], HET also increased cytokines. The effects on various cytokines are recognized for the whole body, notably the lung and alveoli (Fig.…”

“…In animal models of immune deficiency by age [20], steroids [21], cyclophosphamide [22], mitomycin C [23], and restraint stress [24,25], HET improved reduced immune function by both innate and acquired immunity. Related to these immuno‐stimulatory effects, HET exhibited a preventive effect from infection by Salmonella enteritidis [26], Listeria monocytogenes [27,28], Helicobacter pylori [29], methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [30], influenza virus [31–35], cytomegalovirus [36], and Plasmodium chabaudi [37]. HET also exhibited a protective effect on cancer caused by inoculation of cancer cells [38,39] or carcinogenic substances [40–42].…”

“…Related to these immuno-stimulatory effects, HET exhibited Allergy was induced by ovalbumin in NC/Jic mice. Serum ALT level, number of multinuclear cells and CD4 + cells in liver, the production of IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-α from liver cells, and edema in small intestine reduced [52] (continued overleaf ) a preventive effect from infection by Salmonella enteritidis [26], Listeria monocytogenes [27,28], Helicobacter pylori [29], methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) [30], influenza virus [31][32][33][34][35], cytomegalovirus [36], and Plasmodium chabaudi [37]. HET also exhibited a protective effect on cancer caused by inoculation of cancer cells [38,39] or carcinogenic substances [40][41][42].…”

Advancing the Regulation of Traditional and Complementary Medicine Products: A Comparison of Five Regulatory Systems on Traditional Medicines with a Long History of Use

“…It was introduced to Japan along with the entirety of the Chinese culture [36] and to Korea with Buddhism in the beginning of the 6 th century [37]. Before Western culture was introduced to East Asia in 19 th century, TCM was the main medical system used to treat all types of diseases [38] with some TCM decoction formulas still in use such as Shegan Mahuang Decoction recorded in "Synopsis of Golden Chamber" for asthma [39], Bu Zhong Yi Qi Decoction (Hochuekkito) recorded in "Spleen Gastric eory" for infirmity [40][41][42], and Mahuang Decoction (Maoto) recorded in "Treatise on Fevers" for flu [43,44]. Considering that China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan share the same TCM origin and regulatory interests in TM/CM products with a long history of use, they were included in this comparative study.…”

Exploration of Anti-Staphylococcus Aureus Activity and Molecular Mechanism of Wuweixiaoduyin using Network Pharmacology Anti-Staphylococcus Aureus Activity of Wuweixiaoduyin using Network Pharmacology

“…In China, TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) has a long history in treating a variety of infectious diseases. Minami et al demonstrated that Buzhongyiqitang, which is commonly used to improve the immunity of frail elderly people, could effectively treat nasal infection of MRSA in a mouse model [10].…”