ABSTRACT
This study was aimed to evaluate the effects ofYao-Tong-Ning Capsule (YTNC) whole formula, dissembled YTNC formulas, and their active fractions on cell proliferation, immunity, anti-inflammation and osteocytes repair. According to the formulating principle of YTNC and combinatorial chemistry concepts, six samples were prepared by combining different active fractions. Half-maximal effective concentrations (EC50) or half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) were applied to evaluate the effects of samples on promoting the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in macrophage (Ana-1) cells, on inhibiting the production of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PGE2 in Ana-1 cells, on promoting the cell proliferation induced by IL-1β and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, on influencing synoviocytes proliferation induced by IL-1β, and on promoting the secretion of IL-6, respectively. The interactions among the active fractions in these samples were investigated by comparing the additive EC50 (or IC50) values with their experimental EC50 (or IC50). The results showed that pharmacological activities of the six samples were different in the same cell model. Some pharmacological activities of a few dissembled YTNC formulas were superior or significantly superior to the YTNC whole formula. However, the YTNC whole formula was good at promoting cell immunity, anti-inflammation and osteocytes repair. The YTNC’s vehicle Chinese rice wine played an important role on strengthening the activity of YTNC. It was concluded that the synergistic effects between active fractions in YTNC were the material foundation that YTNC had comprehensive efficacy of strengthening immunity, anti-inflammation and promoting osteocytes repair.