Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of Xiaoding Ointment in inhibiting pyroptosis through nucle-otide binding oligomerization of domain like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)/caspase-1 pathway,and to analyze its therapeutic effect on acute closed soft tissue injury.Methods Sixty SPF SD rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups:blank group,model group,positive control group(Qizheng Xiaotong plaster),and Xiaoding Ointment group(topical application).The blank group did not receive any treatment,while the other groups received corresponding inter-vention treatment after preparing the acute closed soft tissue injury model,with a treatment period of seven days.The conditions such as swelling,pain and limited movement were evaluated through the injury symptom score.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rat leg muscle tissue.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflam-matory factors IL-1β and TNF-α.TUNEL staining was used to observe the pyroptosis of cells.The expression levels of NLRP3,NF-κB,p65 and Caspase-1 proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of Xiaoding Ointment.Results Compared with the model group,the swelling degree,appearance changes,activity and pain behavior of rats in the Xiaoding Ointment group were significantly improved(all P＜0.05).Histopa-thology showed a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration and a normalization of muscle fiber arrangement.The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly reduced(both P＜0.05);The number of pyroptosis positive cells and pyroptosis positive rate significantly decreased(both P＜0.05);The protein expressions of NLRP3,NF-κB,p65,and Caspase-1 was significantly reduced(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Xiaoding Ointment inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NF-κB signaling pathway through targeted inhibition,blocks Caspase-1-dependent apoptosis process,and reduces the release of inflam-matory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α,thereby alleviating the inflammatory response after acute soft tissue injury and promo-ting tissue repair.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of Xiaoding Ointment in inhibiting pyroptosis through nucle-otide binding oligomerization of domain like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)/caspase-1 pathway,and to analyze its therapeutic effect on acute closed soft tissue injury.Methods Sixty SPF SD rats were selected and randomly divided into four groups:blank group,model group,positive control group(Qizheng Xiaotong plaster),and Xiaoding Ointment group(topical application).The blank group did not receive any treatment,while the other groups received corresponding inter-vention treatment after preparing the acute closed soft tissue injury model,with a treatment period of seven days.The conditions such as swelling,pain and limited movement were evaluated through the injury symptom score.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of rat leg muscle tissue.ELISA was used to detect the levels of serum inflam-matory factors IL-1β and TNF-α.TUNEL staining was used to observe the pyroptosis of cells.The expression levels of NLRP3,NF-κB,p65 and Caspase-1 proteins were analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to evaluate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of Xiaoding Ointment.Results Compared with the model group,the swelling degree,appearance changes,activity and pain behavior of rats in the Xiaoding Ointment group were significantly improved(all P＜0.05).Histopa-thology showed a decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration and a normalization of muscle fiber arrangement.The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly reduced(both P＜0.05);The number of pyroptosis positive cells and pyroptosis positive rate significantly decreased(both P＜0.05);The protein expressions of NLRP3,NF-κB,p65,and Caspase-1 was significantly reduced(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Xiaoding Ointment inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NF-κB signaling pathway through targeted inhibition,blocks Caspase-1-dependent apoptosis process,and reduces the release of inflam-matory factors such as IL-1β and TNF-α,thereby alleviating the inflammatory response after acute soft tissue injury and promo-ting tissue repair.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have demonstrated that total saponins of panax notoginseng can inhibit the ethanol-induced adipogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow stromal cells and confirmed that total saponins of panax notoginseng promoted the proliferation and differentiation of rabbit osteoblasts, and improved the osteoprotegerin mRNA relative expression in osteoblasts so as to inhibit receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand mRNA expression.
OBJECTIVE:To observe effects of total saponins of panax notoginseng on the ultrastructure of the rabbit models of alcoholic avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
METHODS:New Zealand rabbit models of alcohol-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head were established by gavage of spirit. Successful rabbit models were separately injected with saline, compound bone peptide and total saponins of panax notoginseng group, 0.1 mL/kg, once a day, for 4 consecutive weeks. The ultrastructure of each group were observed by transmission electron microscope.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSON:Transmission electron microscopy showed that osteocytes after alcoholic avascular necrosis of the femoral head presented mitochondrial swel ing and fuzzy crista structure, and degranulation of polysomes on rough endoplasmic reticulum. Lipid droplets were seen in osteocytes. Compared with saline group, mitochondria swel ing subsided, cristae appeared, the number of polysomes increased on rough endoplasmic reticulum, but the number of lipid droplet decreased in total saponins of panax notoginseng group. Morphological changes in ultrastructure were similar between compound bone peptide group and total saponins of panax notoginseng group. Morphological changes in ultrastructure were more significant in the total saponins of panax notoginseng and compound bone peptide groups compared with saline group (P<0.05). Results verified that total saponins of panax notoginseng could effectively restore ultrastructure of osteocytes of rabbit models of alcoholic avascular necrosis of the femoral head in the early stage.