Traditional Herbal Formula Banhasasim-tang Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in RAW 264.7 Macrophages and HaCaT Keratinocytes

Abstract EN

Banhasasim-tang (BHSST) is a Korean traditional herbal formula comprising eight medicinal herbs.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of BHSST using macrophage and keratinocyte cell lines.

First, we evaluated the effects of BHSST on inflammatory mediator and cytokine production in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

BHSST markedly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and interleukin- (IL-) 6.

BHSST significantly suppressed the protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 in RAW 264.7 cells.

Second, we examined whether BHSST influences the production of chemokines and STAT1 phosphorylation in tumor necrosis factor-α/interferon-γ TI-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes.

BHSST significantly suppressed the production of RANTES/CCL5, TARC/CCL17, MDC/CCL22, and IL-8 in TI-stimulated HaCaT cells.

BHSST also suppressed TI-induced phosphorylation of STAT1 in HaCaT cells.

These results suggest that BHSST may be useful as an anti-inflammatory agent, especially for inflammatory skin diseases.