Aqueous extract of Yin-Chen-Hao decoction, a traditional Chinese prescription, exerts protective effects on concanavalin A-induced hepatitis in mice through inhibition of NF-kappaB.

Abstract

In traditional oriental medicine, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction is used for the remedy of liver diseases such as hepatitis, fatty liver, hepatocirrhosis and jaundice. However, despite extensive pharmacological study, the molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of Yin-Chen-Hao decoction is poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the pharmacological action on the mechanism of concanavalin A-induced T cell-dependent hepatitis in mice. Concanavalin A administration resulted in a severe liver injury. This was shown through increased levels of serum transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase, and increased liver DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 activity. Pretreatment with the aqueous extract from Yin-Chen-Hao decoction dose-dependently inhibited the elevation in transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase activity, and reduced liver DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 levels. There was an improvement in histological changes including inflammatory infiltration, hepatocyte necrosis and degeneration, and Kupffer cell hyperplasia. In addition, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction significantly inhibited tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in-vitro and in-vivo. Moreover, the activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB), which regulates TNF-alpha production, was blocked by Yin-Chen-Hao decoction in-vitro and in-vivo. In conclusion, Yin-Chen-Hao decoction was capable of regulating T-cell-mediated liver injury in-vivo. This event may have depended on the decrease of TNF-alpha production through the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation.

• Authors: Hui Cai, Yao-Hong Song, Wei-Jun Xia, Miao-Wen Jin
• Journal: The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology (J Pharm Pharmacol) Vol. 58 Issue 5 Pg. 677-84 (May 2006) ISSN: 0022-3573 [Print] England
• PMID: 16640837 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• NF-kappa B
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
• Concanavalin A
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase
• Aspartate Aminotransferases
• Alanine Transaminase
• Casp3 protein, mouse
• Caspase 3
• Caspases

Topics

• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis
• Artemisia
• Aspartate Aminotransferases (blood)
• Caspase 3
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cells, Cultured
• Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury (blood, pathology, prevention & control)
• Concanavalin A
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Female
• Gardenia
• L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (blood)
• Liver (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Lymphocytes (drug effects, metabolism)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• NF-kappa B (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Rheum
• Time Factors
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)