Effects of extract mixture (Yg-1) of anti-inflammatory herbs on LPS-induced acute inflammation in macrophages and rats

Traditional herbs, such as Lonicera japonica, Arctii Fructus, and Scutellariae Radix have been used as traditional drug due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of extract mixture (YG-1) in a model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute inflammation in both macrophage (RAW 264.7) cells and Sprague-Dawley rats. YG-1 did not show specific cellular toxicity in RAW 264.7 cells until a concentration of 100 μg/mL. YG-1 reduced various markers related to inflammation such as IL-1β, COX-2, and iNOS caused by LPS in RAW 264.7 cells. Consistent with these results, YG-1 exerted significant anti-inflammatory effects in an acute inflammation rat model. Acute fever and high concentration of IL-1β in serum induced by LPS were significantly reduced by YG-1. These results were similar to flubiprofen, a commercial anti-inflammatory and anti-febrile drug. Therefore, these results indicate that YG-1 has beneficial effects on LPS-induced acute inflammation and suggest that YG-1 can serve as an effective anti-inflammatory and anti-febrile drug.