The Effect of Liu-Wei-Di-Huang Wan on Cytokine Gene Expression from Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes

Abstract

Liu-Wei-Di-Huang Wan (LWDHW) has been used by traditional Chinese doctors to treat asthma patients. This study was to examine the potential effect of this decoction on the regulation of T helper (Th)1- and Th2-type cytokine gene expression in vitro. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were activated with mitogen for 24 hours in the presence or absence of LWDHW extracts. Concentrations of different cytokines in the culture supernatants were determined with ELISA. RNA isolated from cultured cells was subjected to RT-PCR analysis. The results showed that the expression of all cytokines (Th2-type: IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, or IL-13 and Th1-type: IL-2 and IFN-gamma) examined was inhibited at both RNA and protein levels by LWDHW. Since the cell viability was similar in all cultures, the reduction of cytokine production was not due to the toxicity of LWDHW. Moreover, the cells either retained or increased their capacity to respond to mitogen stimulation after incubation with the LWDHW decoction. Therefore, the data suggest that LWDHW functioned directly on cytokine gene expression from activated PBMC.

An aqueous extract of Liu Wei Di Huang Wan alters the labeling of blood constituents with Technetium-99m

“…In consequence the 99m Tc, as pertechnetate, would not be reduced. This antioxidant effect would be confirmed by the findings described by other authors [8].…”

“…This herbal mixture is composed of six herbs: Rehmannia glutinosa (rhizomes), Cornus officinalis (fructus), Discorea opposita (rhizomes), Paeonia sufruticosa (root), Alisma orientalis (rhizome) and Poria cocos [8]. According to the TCM, LWDHW is utilized to "tonify the Yin" of the Shen (kidneys) and of the Gan (liver) [9,10].…”

“…According to the TCM, LWDHW is utilized to "tonify the Yin" of the Shen (kidneys) and of the Gan (liver) [9,10]. It is also used in the treatment of the asthma and seems to act directly on cytokine gene expression from lymphocytes [8]. Moreover, effects in the aging [11], in the memory activity and in the prevention of neuronal degeneration [12,13] have been associated with use of LWDHW.…”

In vitro anti-allergic activities of a newly concocted traditional Chinese medicine—The wheeze-relief formula

“…Herbs that reverse such debilitating status are curative of asthma (Hsieh, 1996;Shen et al, 2003). The wheeze-relief formula (WRF) is a novel herbal concoction developed under this TCM principle with the ultimate goal to relieve wheezing and reduce frequency of attacks in asthmatic patients.…”

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of seven signature components in the fruiting body of Antrodia cinnamomea by HPLC—ESI—MS/MS

“…6D (425 mg) was subjected to semipreparative HPLC eluted with CH 2 Cl 2 -acetone (8:1) to yield antcin H (31 mg). Fraction 7 (n-hexane-EtOAc, 1:9; 3.3 g) was further purified through a silica gel column (2 × 45 cm), eluted with CH 2 Cl 2 -MeOH [29], and dehydroeburicoic acid [30] were identified by comparing their 1 H-and 13 C-NMR values with those described in the literature (Fig. 1).…”