Chikuyou-sekkou-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, modulates eating behavior and thermal response induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha in rats.

We investigated the effects of Chikuyou-sekkou-to (TJS-167), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on changes in eating behavior and rectal temperature induced by administration of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in rats. Infusion of TNF-alpha into the third cerebral ventricle in doses of 1 to 4 mug/rat suppressed 24-hour cumulative food and water intake dose-dependently, compared to an infusion of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (p < 0.05 for each). The infusion of 2 microg/rat TNF-alpha into the third cerebral ventricle elevated rectal temperature compared to PBS controls (p < 0.05). In rats fed diets containing TJS-167 (1.38 g/kg/day) for 1 week, the suppressive effect of TNF-alpha (2 microg/rat) on food intake was alleviated significantly, compared to rats fed a standard diet (p < 0.05). The elevation of rectal temperature induced by TNF-alpha was attenuated significantly in the TJS-167-treated group compared to the control (p < 0.05). These results indicate that oral administration of TJS-167 may be effective in preventing or reducing TNF-alpha-induced inflammatory responses, such as appetite loss and elevation of body temperature.