Effects of oren-gedoku-to and unsei-in, Chinese traditional medicines, on interleukin-8 and superoxide dismutase in rats.

This study was conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of action of two Chinese traditional drugs, Oren-gedoku-to and Unsei-in, which have been used for many years in the treatment of inflammatory disorders. In rats with acetic acid-induced inflammation, both drugs reduced interleukin-8 concentrations in the serum. Neither drug significantly affected superoxide dismutase activity in the serum, although Unsei-in increased superoxide dismutase activity in liver after 1 month of administration. Oren-gedoku-to showed no significant effect on liver superoxide dismutase activity. It was considered that these medicines exert their anti-inflammatory effects mainly on the early stages of inflammation, wherein increased capillary permeability and migration of leucocytes occur.