Kunbi-Boshin-Hangam-Tang stimulates nitric oxide production through activation of nuclear factor-kappa B

The objective of the currently study was to determine the effect of Kunbi-B oshin-Hangam-Tang (KBH-Tang) on the production of nitric oxide (NO). Stimul ation of RAW 264.7 cells with KBH-Tang after the treatment of recombinant i nterferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) resulted in increased NO synthesis. KBH-Tang p artially increased NO synthesis by itself. When KBH-Tang was used in combin ation with rIFN-gamma, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO synth esis in a dose-dependent manner. This increase in NO synthesis was reflecte d as increased amount of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein. NO productio n was inhibited by NG-monomethyl-(L)-arginine (N(G)MMA). Furthermore, activ ation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB was increased by KBH-Tang. These result s suggest that KBH-Tang may stimulate the NO production through the activat ion of the NF-kappaB.