Screening of 56 Herbal formulas covered by the National Health Insurance Service on Dementia-related Factors
Article information
Abstract
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 56 herbal formulae covered by the National Health Insurance Corporation (NHIC) on dementia-related biomarkers and neuronal cell changes.
Methods
The 56 herbal formulae were extracted with 70% ethanol at 100°C for 2 h. The antioxidant properties was measured by radical scavenging assay using ABTS+ radical. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity was tested by Ellman’s assay and amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation was determined using fluorescence method. To estimate the inhibitory effects of herbal formulae on neuronal cell death and inflammation using HT22 hippocampal cells and BV-2 microglia, respectively.
Results
Among the 56 herbal formulae, Dangguiyukhwangtang, Banhasasimtang, Samhwangsasimtang, Cheongwiesan, Hwangryunhaedoktang, Banhabaekchulchunmatang, Jaeumganghwatang, Cheongseoikgitang, and Hoechunyanggyuksan has a significant inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Doinseunggitang and Samhwangsasimtang exerted the effect on the inhibition of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation. Additionally, 10 herbal formulae affected AChE and Aβ aggregation revealed antioxidant activity as well as neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammation effects in neuronal cell lines.
Conclusions
10 herbal formulae that have been shown to be effective against the major dementia markers have been shown to have antioxidant activity, neuronal cell protection and inhibition of brain inflammation. Further investigation of these herbal formulae will need to be validated in dementia animal models.

Inhibitory effects of ethanol extract of herbal formulas on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. (A) Dangguiyukhwangtang (DYT), (B) Banhasasimtang (BST), (C) Samhwangsasimtang (SST), (D) Cheongwiesan (CS), (E) Hwangryunhaedoktang (HHT), (F) Banhabaekchulchunmatang (BBCT), (G) Jaeumganghwatang (JGT), (H) Cheongseoikgitang (CIT), and (I) Hoechunyanggyuksan (HYS).

Inhibitory effects of ethanol extracts of herbal formulas on amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation. (A) Doinseunggitang (DST) and (B) Samhwangsasimtang (SST).

ABTS radical scavenging activity of ethanol extracts of dementia effective herbal formulas. (A) Dangguiy-ukhwangtang (DYT), (B) Doinseunggitang (DST), (C) Banhasasimtang (BST), (D) Samhwangsasimtang (SST), (E) Cheongwiesan (CS), (F) Hwangryunhaedoktang (HHT), (G) Banhabaekchulchunmatang (BBCT), (H) Jaeumganghwatang (JGT), (I) Cheongseoikgitang (CIT), and (J) Hoechunyanggyuksan (HYS).

Neuroprotective effects of ethanol extracts of dementia effective herbal formulas. HT22 cells were exposed to H2O2 in the absence or presence of herbal formula extracts for 6 h. Cell viability was determined using CCK assay kit. The results are expressed as mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. ###P< 0.01 vs vehicle control cells; *, P<0.05 **, P<0.01 ***, P<0.001 vs H2O2-treated cells. (A) Dangguiyukhwangtang (DYT), (B) Doinseunggitang (DST), (C) Banhasasimtang (BST), (D) Samhwangsasimtang (SST), (E) Cheongwiesan (CS), (F) Hwangryunhaedoktang (HHT), (G) Banhabaekchulchunmatang (BBCT), (H) Jaeumganghwatang (JGT), (I) Cheongseoikgitang (CIT), and (J) Hoechunyanggyuksan (HYS).

Anti-neuroinflammatory effects of ethanol extracts of dementia effective herbal formulas. BV-2 cells were pretreated with herbal formula extracts for 2 h and stimulated with LPS for additional 22 h. Culture supernatants were collected and subjected to NO assay using Greiss reagents. Data represent mean ± SEM from three independent experiments. ###, P<0.001 vs untreated control; *, P<0.05 **, P<0.01 ***, P<0.001 vs LPS-treated group. (A) Dangguiyukhwangtang (DYT), (B) Doinseunggitang (DST), (C) Banhasasimtang (BST), (D) Samhwangsasimtang (SST), (E) Cheongwiesan (CS), (F) Hwangryunhaedoktang (HHT), (G) Banhabaekchulchunmatang (BBCT), (H) Jaeumganghwatang (JGT), (I) Cheongseoikgitang (CIT), and (J) Hoechunyanggyuksan (HYS).

Inhibitory Activity of the 56 Herbal Formulas in the National Health Insurance Coverage on AChE Activity and Amyloid-β Aggregation in vitro (at 100 μg/mL)