Inhibitory effect of Shofu-san, a Japanese kampo medicine, on neutrophil functions in vitro

The effect of Shofu-san (TJ-22), an oral Japanese kampo medicine, on several inflammatory parameters of human neutrophils, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, chemotaxis, and calcium concentration, [Ca2+](i) in neutrophils was examined in vitro. In addition, ROS generated in a cell-free, xanthine-xanthine oxidase system was also assessed. The species investigated were superoxide radical anion (O-2(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radical (OH .). TJ-22 significantly decreased neutrophil-generated O2(-), H2O2 and OH . in a dose-dependent manner. The medicine also markedly inhibited neutrophil chemotaxis and [Ca2+](i) in neutrophils. In addition, three kinds of ROS generated in the cell-free system was reduced in the presence of TJ-22. Our results indicate that TJ-22 may exert an anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the neutrophil functions and scavenging ROS, leading to a reduction in oxidative tissue injury.