Behc¸et의 患者의 單球細胞에서 溫淸飮의 cytokine 分泌抑制 효과 = Inhibitory Effects of Onchungeum on Cytokine Production from Phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated Peripheral blood Mononuclear cells of Behc¸ets Patients

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Behc¸ets disease is a systemic inflammatory disorder. The etiology and pathogenesis of Behc¸ets disease has yet been fully elucidated but might involve immune dysfunction. Cytokines involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of Behc¸ets disease (BD). Onchungeum is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been successfully used in Korea for the treatment of BD. This report describes modulation effects of Onchungeum on cytokine production from phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Behc¸ets patients by ELISA. Onchungeum significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-1β, compared to absence of Onchungeum (by 52.3 1.4% inhibition for TNF-α and 113.5 3.3% for IL-1β, p < 0.001). Onchungeum also inhibited the production of IFN-γ, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by 89.4 0.8% (p < 0.001). The inhibitory effects of Onchungeum on cytokine production showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1㎎/㎖ Onchungeum had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of BD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that Onchungeum treatment for Behc¸ets disease patients may have pharmacologic activities and abilities of regulation of immune and inflammatory responses by cytokine modulation.