Preventive Effects of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (Sho-saiko-to) on Endotoxin-Induced Cytotoxicity and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Production in J774A.1 Cells
 
Shuhei Sakaguchi1) and Shinobu Furusawa2)
1) First Department of Hygienic Chemistry
2) Cancer Research Institute, Tohoku Pharmaceutical University
(Received March 29, 2004)
(Accepted May 31, 2004)
 
  Sho-saiko-to, one of the most frequently prescribed Kampo medicines, is used clinically to treat chronic hepatitis and has shown confirmed clinical efficacy. The present study investigated whether Sho-saiko-to can suppress cytotoxicity and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α production in endotoxin-treated J774A.1 cells. Sho-saiko-to (10—20 μg/ml) did not affect the proliferation of J774A.1 cells, while a high concentration (50 μg/ml) of Sho-saiko-to induced a slight reduction in cell viability. Treatment with Sho-saiko-to (10—50 μg/ml) significantly inhibited endotoxin (10 μg/ml)-induced cytotoxicity in J774A.1 cells. In addition, Sho-saiko-to (20 μg/ml) suppressed TNF-α production by endotoxin (1 μg/ml)-activated J774A.1 cells. These findings suggest that the Kampo prescription Sho-saiko-to suppresses cytotoxicity or TNF-α production in macrophages treated with endotoxin and that it may be useful in improving septic shock symptoms. Sho-saiko-to may therefore protect against some of the various disturbances caused by endotoxins through its ability to inhibit TNF-α production in septic shock.