Effects of Huangqin Tang on NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway in mice model of ulcerative colitis.
10.19540/j.cnki.cjcmm.20221018.502
- Author:
Meng-Ru LIU
1
;
Hui LI
1
;
Lan-Fu WEI
1
;
Xiao-Tong LIU
1
;
Zhen-Tao AN
1
;
Li-Mei GU
1
;
Yao-Zhou TIAN
1
Author Information
1. Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210028, China Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine Nanjing 210028, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Huangqin Tang(HQT);
NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway;
pyroptosis;
ulcerative colitis(UC)
- MeSH:
Animals;
Mice;
Caspase 1/genetics*;
Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics*;
Colon;
Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects*;
Disease Models, Animal;
Interleukin-10/genetics*;
Interleukin-6/genetics*;
Mesalamine/pharmacology*;
Mice, Inbred C57BL;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*;
Scutellaria baicalensis/chemistry*;
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
- From:
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica
2023;48(1):226-233
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to explore the effects of Huangqin Tang(HQT) on the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway in mice with DSS-induced ulcerative colitis(UC). C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group(DSS group), and low-, medium-and high-dose HQT groups(HQT-L, HQT-M, and HQT-H), and western medicine mesalazine group(western medicine group). The UC model was induced in mice. Subsequently, the mice in the HQT-L, HQT-M, HQT-H groups, and the western medicine group were given low-, medium-, high-dose HQT, and mesalazine suspension by gavage, respectively, while those in the blank and DSS groups were given an equal volume of distilled water by gavage. After 10 days of administration, the body weight, DAI scores, and colonic histopathological score of mice in each group were determined. The levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α in serum were determined by ELISA. The mRNA expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in colon tissues was determined by RT-qPCR. The protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in colon tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the DSS group showed decreased body weight of mice and increased DAI scores and intestinal histopathological score. Compared with the DSS group, the HQT groups and the western medicine group showed improved DAI scores, especially in the HQT-M, HQT-H, and the western medicine groups(P<0.05). The intestinal histopathological scores of the HQT groups and the western medicine group significantly decreased, especially in the HQT-M, HQT-H, and the western medicine groups(P<0.05). In addition, compared with the blank group, the DSS group showed elevated expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in colon tissues, increased serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and decreased IL-10 level. Compared with the DSS group, the HQT groups and the western medicine group displayed decreased expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in colon tissues, reduced serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and increased IL-10 level. The improvement was the most significant in the HQT-H group and the western medicine group(P<0.01). In conclusion, HQT may reduce the expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in colon tissues, reduce the se-rum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and increase the expression of IL-10 by regulating the classic pyroptosis pathway of NLRP3/Caspase-1, thereby improving the symptoms of intestinal injury and inflammatory infiltration of intestinal mucosa in DSS mice to achieve its therapeutic effect.
