Keishi-bukuryo-gan prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbit

Abstract

In this study, we examined whether in vivo keishi‐bukuryo‐gan (a Kampo formulation) could prevent the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol‐fed rabbits, an animal model for hypercholesterolaemia. Sixteen male Japanese white rabbits (2 kg body weight) were divided into two groups. Group A (n = 8) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol for 8 weeks. Group B (n = 8) was fed standard rabbit chow containing 1% cholesterol and 1% keishi‐bukuryo‐gan for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, average plasma concentrations of total‐cholesterol and IDL‐cholesterol were 2055.9 ± 201.8 mg/dL and 408.1 ± 62.6 mg/dL in group A and 1950.5 ± 126.3 mg/dL and 407.6 ± 56.6 mg/dL in group B, respectively. The percentage of the surface area of the total thoracic aorta with visible plaque was significantly reduced by keishi‐bukuryo‐gan administration; group A was 33.2% ± 5.3% and group B was 14.3% ± 2.9%. β ‐very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) isolated from cholesterol fed rabbits treated with keishi‐bukuryo‐gan (group B) were shown to be highly resistant to oxidative modification by cupric ion. Sera isolated from rabbits administered keishi‐bukuryo‐gan had reduced lipid peroxide formation compared with those from rabbits without keishi‐bukuryo‐gan. Thus, keishi‐bukuryo‐gan prevents the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol‐fed rabbits in vivo by limiting oxidative LDL modification. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Effects of the Kampo medication keishibukuryogan on blood pressure in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

“…The TJ‐25 formula has additional vascular and hemorheologic effects. It reduced the number of atheromatous plaques in the aorta of cholesterol‐fed rabbits by inhibiting lipid peroxide formation [21], and it promoted the viscoelasticity of red‐blood‐cell membranes by increasing the intracellular ATP content, thus enhancing red‐blood‐cell deformability [22]. The combination of these mechanisms, which were demonstrated in rodents, could explain the blood‐pressure‐lowering effect of TJ‐25 in humans.…”

Effects of the Kampo medication keishibukuryogan on blood pressure in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

“…The TJ‐25 formula has additional vascular and hemorheologic effects. It reduced the number of atheromatous plaques in the aorta of cholesterol‐fed rabbits by inhibiting lipid peroxide formation [21], and it promoted the viscoelasticity of red‐blood‐cell membranes by increasing the intracellular ATP content, thus enhancing red‐blood‐cell deformability [22]. The combination of these mechanisms, which were demonstrated in rodents, could explain the blood‐pressure‐lowering effect of TJ‐25 in humans.…”

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease satisfactorily treated with traditional Japanese kampo medicine

“…In kampo medicine, KBG is a representative formula for blood stasis pattern, with relatively high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of KBG is not surprising because it contains crude drugs with high antioxidant activity, such as Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix . In basic research, we reported that KBG has a protective effect on vascular endothelial cell function, and inhibits the progression of arteriosclerosis and renal dysfunction .…”

“…Because we could not do so, we considered prescribing another kampo extract formulation in addition to KBG extract. In the five crude drugs comprising KBG, Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix have especially high antioxidant activity . In terms of the concepts of kampo medicine, the patient was not in an adaptive condition for KST, but we used KST extract additionally, which contains Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix for the purpose of enhancing antioxidant effect (Table ).…”

Effects of Japanese traditional medicines on circulating cytokine levels in women with hot flashes

“…Nozaki et al 15 reported that keishibukuryogan reduced the level of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, which is involved in the progression of atherosclerosis, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in rats with adjuvantinduced arthritis. 16 It has also been reported that keishibukuryogan inhibited the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits 17 and improved endothelial function in cholesterol-fed rabbits and spontaneously hypertensive and diabetic rats 18<20 and that herbs such as Cinnamomi cortex and Paeoniae radix, which are included in keishibukuryogan, have a vascular endothelial relaxation effect through nitric oxide production. 21,22 MCP-1 is the primary chemokine responsible for the recruitment of monocytes to sites of active inflammation, including developing atheroma, and its expression is enhanced in endothelial cells.…”

Effects of the Kampo medication keishibukuryogan on blood pressure in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

“…The TJ‐25 formula has additional vascular and hemorheologic effects. It reduced the number of atheromatous plaques in the aorta of cholesterol‐fed rabbits by inhibiting lipid peroxide formation [21], and it promoted the viscoelasticity of red‐blood‐cell membranes by increasing the intracellular ATP content, thus enhancing red‐blood‐cell deformability [22]. The combination of these mechanisms, which were demonstrated in rodents, could explain the blood‐pressure‐lowering effect of TJ‐25 in humans.…”

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease satisfactorily treated with traditional Japanese kampo medicine

“…In kampo medicine, KBG is a representative formula for blood stasis pattern, with relatively high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of KBG is not surprising because it contains crude drugs with high antioxidant activity, such as Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix . In basic research, we reported that KBG has a protective effect on vascular endothelial cell function, and inhibits the progression of arteriosclerosis and renal dysfunction .…”

“…Because we could not do so, we considered prescribing another kampo extract formulation in addition to KBG extract. In the five crude drugs comprising KBG, Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix have especially high antioxidant activity . In terms of the concepts of kampo medicine, the patient was not in an adaptive condition for KST, but we used KST extract additionally, which contains Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix for the purpose of enhancing antioxidant effect (Table ).…”

Effects of Japanese traditional medicines on circulating cytokine levels in women with hot flashes

“…Nozaki et al 15 reported that keishibukuryogan reduced the level of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, which is involved in the progression of atherosclerosis, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in rats with adjuvantinduced arthritis. 16 It has also been reported that keishibukuryogan inhibited the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits 17 and improved endothelial function in cholesterol-fed rabbits and spontaneously hypertensive and diabetic rats 18<20 and that herbs such as Cinnamomi cortex and Paeoniae radix, which are included in keishibukuryogan, have a vascular endothelial relaxation effect through nitric oxide production. 21,22 MCP-1 is the primary chemokine responsible for the recruitment of monocytes to sites of active inflammation, including developing atheroma, and its expression is enhanced in endothelial cells.…”

Effects of the Kampo medication keishibukuryogan on blood pressure in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women

“…The TJ‐25 formula has additional vascular and hemorheologic effects. It reduced the number of atheromatous plaques in the aorta of cholesterol‐fed rabbits by inhibiting lipid peroxide formation [21], and it promoted the viscoelasticity of red‐blood‐cell membranes by increasing the intracellular ATP content, thus enhancing red‐blood‐cell deformability [22]. The combination of these mechanisms, which were demonstrated in rodents, could explain the blood‐pressure‐lowering effect of TJ‐25 in humans.…”

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease satisfactorily treated with traditional Japanese kampo medicine

“…In kampo medicine, KBG is a representative formula for blood stasis pattern, with relatively high antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of KBG is not surprising because it contains crude drugs with high antioxidant activity, such as Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix . In basic research, we reported that KBG has a protective effect on vascular endothelial cell function, and inhibits the progression of arteriosclerosis and renal dysfunction .…”

“…Because we could not do so, we considered prescribing another kampo extract formulation in addition to KBG extract. In the five crude drugs comprising KBG, Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix have especially high antioxidant activity . In terms of the concepts of kampo medicine, the patient was not in an adaptive condition for KST, but we used KST extract additionally, which contains Cinnamomi Cortex and Paeoniae Radix for the purpose of enhancing antioxidant effect (Table ).…”

Effects of Japanese traditional medicines on circulating cytokine levels in women with hot flashes

“…Nozaki et al 15 reported that keishibukuryogan reduced the level of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, which is involved in the progression of atherosclerosis, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and in rats with adjuvantinduced arthritis. 16 It has also been reported that keishibukuryogan inhibited the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits 17 and improved endothelial function in cholesterol-fed rabbits and spontaneously hypertensive and diabetic rats 18<20 and that herbs such as Cinnamomi cortex and Paeoniae radix, which are included in keishibukuryogan, have a vascular endothelial relaxation effect through nitric oxide production. 21,22 MCP-1 is the primary chemokine responsible for the recruitment of monocytes to sites of active inflammation, including developing atheroma, and its expression is enhanced in endothelial cells.…”