Objective To investigate the effects of different ingredient-combinations of
Xiaochaihu Decoction (XD) and the entire ingredients
of XD on pleuritis induced by carrageenan. Methods Rat model of pleuritis was induced by intrathoracically injecting 0.2 mL of 1% carrageenan solution. Each XD group was intragastrically given a different XD ingredient- combination once a day: XD group A was given the root of Bupleurum chinense and the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (BCSB), at 3.5 g/kg; XD group B was given the tuber of fresh ginger and Pinellia ternata (FGPT), at 3 g/kg; XD group C was given ginseng, licorice and Chinese date (GLCD), at 4.5 g/kg; XD group D was given BCSB plus FGPT, at 6.5 g/kg; XD group E was given BCSB plus GLCD, at 8 g/kg; XD group F was given FGPT plus GLCD, at 7.5 g/kg; and XD group G was given the entire ingredients of XD, at 11 g/kg. The normal group and the model group were intragastrically given the same dose of distilled water. The administration was lasted for 5 days, and the model of pleuritis was induced 2 hours after the last administration. The volume of
pleurorrhea, the leukocyte count and the levels of LZM and MPO in the pleurorrhea, and the levels of NO and IL-8 in the serum, were examined 12 hours after the inducement of the model. Results Compared with those found in the model group, the volume of pleurorrhea, the leukocyte count and MPO level in the pleurorrhea, and the levels of IL-8 and NO were markedly decreased (P<0.01) in each XD group, and the level of LZM in the pleurorrhea was markedly increased (P<0.01). Conclusion Both the entire ingredients of XD and different XD ingredient- combinations show a marked anti-inflammatory effect for treating and preventing pleuritis, with XD group A, XD group B, XD group C and XD group G manifesting a better effect. The mechanism for anti-inflammation of the entire ingredients of XD, BCSB, FGPT and GLCD may be checking the activation, infiltration and migration of leukocytes through inhibiting the increased levels of NO and IL-8.