title: The antioxidant activity of Chinese herbs for eczema and of placebo herbs--I.
abstract: A standardized mixture of Chinese herbs has recently been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for chronic atopic eczema in placebo controlled trials in the UK. Aqueous decoctions of this formulated mixture (PSE 222), the placebo mixture, and their component herbs were examined for antioxidant activity to determine whether antioxidant activity could account for the anti-eczema activity. Two measures of antioxidant activity were employed: the DPPH assay for non-specific hydrogen atom (or electron) donating activity and a superoxide scavenging assay. Antioxidant activity was detected in some components of both the active and placebo mixtures, but the formulated active mixture (PSE 222) was significantly more effective than the formulated placebo mixture. Further studies are needed to elucidate the in vivo significance of this result.
authors.affiliation: Welsh School of Pharmacy, University of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015764:Bepridil / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004485:Eczema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium / Q000737:chemistry; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013481:Superoxides; D006113:United Kingdom; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D005609:Free Radicals; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water; D013481:Superoxides; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D015764:Bepridil; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl