Kunbi-Boshin-Hangam-Tang stimulates nitic oxide production through activation of nuclear factor-kappaB

The objective of the currently study was to determine the effect of Kunbi-Boshin-Hangam-Tang (KBH-Tang) on the production of nitric oxide (NO). Stimulation of RAW 264.7 cells with KBH-Tang after the treatment of recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) resulted in increased NO synthesis. KBH-Tang partially increased NO synthesis by itself. When KBH-Tang was used in combination with rIFN-gamma, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. This increase in NO synthesis was reflected as increased amount of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein. NO production was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NGMMA). Furthermore, activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB was increased by KBH-Tang. These results suggest that KBH-Tang may stimulate the NO production through the activation of the NF-kappaB.