OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Qingchang Huashi Recipe (QHR) on the activation and expressions of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), Toll-like receptors (TLRs), and contents of interleukin-8 (IL-8), thus exploring its possible mechanisms for treating ulcerative colitis (UC).

METHODSThe HT-29 cells were induced to inflammation model by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). HT-29 cells were divided into 6 groups, i.e., the vehicle control group, the model control group, the sulfasalazine (SASP) group, the high dose QHR group, the middle dose QHR group, the low dose QHR group. Effects on the cell growth were detected by MTT. The chemoattractant of macrophages was observed using Transwell. The expressions of NF-kappaB and TLR4 protein were detected using immune cell fluorescence method. The content of IL-8 was detected by ELISA.

RESULTSThe growth of cells were not inhibited in each group. Statistical difference existed in each dose QHR group in inhibiting the chemoattractant of macrophages, reducing activation of NF-kappaB, lowing expressions of TLR4 protein, and decreasing the secretion of IL-8, when compared with the model control group (P < 0.05). No statistical difference existed in inhibiting the chemoattractant of macrophages between the high dose QHR group and the vehicle control group (P > 0.05). But its inhibition on NF-kappaB activation was higher in the high dose QHR group than in the SASP group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQHR could obviously attenuate the inflammatory reaction of HT-29 cells, inhibit the chemoattractant of macrophages, reduce the activation of NF-kappaB, lower expressions of TLR-4, and attenuate the secretion of IL-8, which might be one of its mechanisms for treating UC.