Analgesic effect and inhibition of prostaglandin E ₂ activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines production by ethyl alcohol extract from new herbal formula

New herbal formula (NHF) is the ethanol extract mixture of Puerariae radix, Artemisia capillaries and Perilla frutescens. We have investigated the effects on anti-inflammation by NHF and attempted acetic acid induced writhing to verify the analgesic effect. Macrophages and chondrocytes were obtained from mouse and rabbit. Inflammation was induced by interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, and lipopolysaccharide. NHF showed strong inhibitory efficacy against cytokine-induced proteoglycan degradation, PGE ₂ production, NO production, and MMP-9 expression in rabbit articular chondrocyte. In the writhing test, NHF exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of writhing. Futhermore, NHF increased the activity of SOD. NHF have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities, and could be a good herbal medicine candidate for curing of osteoarthritis.