Kampo Medicines Modulate Angiogenic, Antioxidant, and Inflammatory Pathways in Human Preclinical Models: Implications for Preeclampsia

Abstract

Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterised by maternal vascular dysfunction, placental dysfunction, and organ injury, with no effective treatment currently available. Kampo, a system of Japanese traditional medicine comprising standardised herbal formulations, could target pathophysiological pathways driving preeclampsia. We evaluated the effects of select Kampo formulations on markers of preeclampsia using primary human trophoblasts, placental explants, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and uterine microvascular endothelial cells (UtMVECs). Twelve formulations were initially screened in HUVECs, and six formulations advanced for further study. TNFα was used..