Synergistic Effect of Notopterygium incisum and Saposhnikovia divaricata in the Anti-inflammatory Activity

강활과 방풍의 항염증 상승작용에 관한 연구

Objectives: Notopterygium incisum(N. incisum) and Saposhnikovia divaricata(S. divaricata) have been clinically used in traditional oriental medicine for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Also, a herbal mixture prepared with N. incisum and S. divaricata has been strongly linked to the anti-inflammatory effect. In this study, we evaluate the synergistic anti-inflammatory effect of N. incisum and S. divaricata. Methods: For evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity of a herbal mixture of N. incisum and S. divaricata in vivo, we measured the changed ear thickness in 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate(TPA)-induced mouse ear edema model after topical application of herbal mixture. In addition, the levels of markers for inflammation, such as tumore necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-1${\beta}$, and nitric oxide(NO), were determined by ELISA assay in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. Results: We reported that water extracts of N. incisum and S. divaricata combination significantly inhibited the mouse ear edema induced by TPA. Moreover, the water extracts of N. incisum and S. divaricata combination exhibited synergistic effects in down-regulating IL-1${\beta}$ level, but not TNF-${\alpha}$ and NO. Conclusions: These results suggest that combined treatment of N. incisum and S. divaricata, based on seven methods in prescription compatibility, has a synergistic effect in down-regulating inflammatory response both in vivo and in vitro models. Especially, it seems that IL-1${\beta}$ is a one of main target of the mixture of N. incisum and S. divaricata on anti-inflammatory activity.