Bioactivities and serum pharmacochemistry of Qi-Wei-Xiao-Yan-Tang.

BACKGROUND

Qi-Wei-Xiao-Yan-Tang (XYT), composed of Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, Radix Astragali, Radix Wikstroemiae Indicae, Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, Poria and Radix Glycyrrhizae, has been widely used as an anti-inflammatory drug.

OBJECTIVE

The present study investigated the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effects and serum pharmacochemistry of XYT.

METHODS

The dimethylbenzene-induced inflammation test, the acetic acid-induced vascular permeability test and the carrageenan-induced paw edema test were used to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of XYT (200, 100 and 50 mg/kg); minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) tests were used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of XYT. Additionally, serum pharmacochemistry was performed to study the biologically active substances.

RESULTS

All the tests for anti-inflammatory effects were shown active with these test systems; the anti-inflammatory effects at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg were significant (p < 0.05); MIC and MBC tests indicated that XYT showed a broader antimicrobial spectrum and stronger toxicity to the tested microbes. Additionally, calycosin-7-glucoside, sennoside A, aloeemodin and rhein were detected as the predominant components in rat serum which may play the key role in the anti-inflammatory activities of XYT.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report of the pharmacological activities and serum pharmacochemistry of XYT, and the first evidence of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of the extracts of XYT. The results of our work demonstrated that XYT has significant anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and calycosin-7-glucoside, sennoside A aloeemodin and rhein may be the biologically active substances of XYT. XYT can be utilized as an effective and safe disease preventive or therapeutic agent.