Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties of Kang 601 heji, a traditional Chinese oral liquid dosage form

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the scientific basis for the use of Kang 601 heji (K-601) as an anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent using appropriate animal models. METHODS: Carrageenan-induced rat paw and xylene-induced ear oedemas were models used to investigate anti-inflammatory actions of K-601. Lipopolysaccharide-induced pyrexia model was used to evaluate antipyretic activity in Wistar rats. The anti-inflammatory and antipyretic mechanisms were evaluated by detecting prostaglandins E(2), nitric oxide, interleukin-1β and tumour necrosis factor-α levels using appropriate reagents and ELISA kits. RESULTS: The results revealed that K-601 reduced the level of inflammations in both anti-inflammatory models in a dose-dependent manner. The same was true for the antipyretic model. The possible mechanisms of actions were through the inhibition of prostaglandins E(2), interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α and nitric oxide. CONCLUSIONS: K-601 has proven anti-inflammatory and antipyretic actions. The findings provide a scientific basis for the use of K-601 as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agent in traditional Chinese medicinal practice.