Comparison of the Ingredient Quantities, and Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Decoction Pharmacopuncture by Preparation Type

Objectives : The main aim of this study was to assess the comparative efficiency of two preparation types of Hwangryunhaedok decoction(HRHD-D) using distilled and mixed extraction by measuring the index components and indicators of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods : The antioxidant activity was assessed by comparing distilled and mixed extractions of HRHD-D using an ELISA reader. The anti-inflammatory effect was determined by measuring NO amounts in RAW 264.7 cells. The contents were analyzed with high performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector(HPLC-DAD). Results : The electron donating ability of mixed and distilled extractions obtained with 500 ppm DPPH(1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay) solution were 57.8 % and 4.2 %, respectively. The total phenolic content of mixed extraction was 6.9 times that of distilled extraction and total flavonoid content was 51.5 times higher. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed by NO measurement, and was found to increase significantly dependent on concentration in all mixed extract concentrations(25, 50, 100, 200, 400 μg/mL), but the difference in distilled extraction by concentration was only significant at 200 and 400 μg/mL. The HPLC analysis results of mixed extract of HRHD-D showed detection of all four main active constituents of HRHD-D. However, they were not detected in the distilled extract of HRHD-D. Conclusions : Mixed extraction with distillation added to decoction of HRHD-D showed better efficacy in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and ingredient quantities compared to distilled extraction. Further stability and clinical efficacy studies for standardization of mixed extractions are required.