Effects of Qingyi Huaji decoction on serum levels of interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in nude mice bearing pancreatic tumors.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of Qingyi Huaji (QYHJ) decoction, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on tumor inhibition rate and serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in nude mice with transplanted tumors of human pancreatic cancer.

METHODS:

The tumor-bearing mice model was established by subcutaneously inoculating with xenografts of pancreatic cancer into the right armpit of 40 BALB/c nude mice. After successful modeling, the mice were randomly divided into untreated group (Arabic gum), capecitabine group, low-dose QYHJ decoction group (36 g/kg) and high-dose QYHJ decoction group (72 g/kg), with 10 mice in each group. Citrate buffer solution (containing 5% Arabic gum), capecitabine suspension and QYHJ decoction were administered to four groups by gavage respectively. After 5-week treatment, the concentrations of serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using blood sample from eye socket. Then the mice were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Tumor weight and the tumor inhibition rate were calculated.

RESULTS:

Tumor weight in the low-dose QYHJ decoction group decreased significantly as compared with the untreated group (P<0.05). Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in low- and high-dose QYHJ groups were extremely significantly lower than those in the untreated group (P<0.01). Serum level of IL-8 in the low-dose QYHJ group was significantly lower than that in the untreated group (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that transplanted tumor weight of the mice was linearly positively correlated with serum levels of IL-6, IL-8 or TNF-alpha (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Conventional dose of QYHJ decoction is effective in suppressing pancreatic carcinoma in nude mice. The mechanism may be related to down-regulation of serum cytokines such as IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha.

• Authors: Hua-Qiang Ouyang, Lu-Ming Liu, Zhen Chen, Jian-Min Luo, Er-Xin Yu
• Journal: Zhong xi yi jie he xue bao = Journal of Chinese integrative medicine (Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Xue Bao) Vol. 8 Issue 7 Pg. 655-61 (Jul 2010) ISSN: 1672-1977 [Print] China
• PMID: 20619142 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Interleukin-6
• Interleukin-8
• Qingyihuaji
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Animals
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Female
• Humans
• Interleukin-6 (blood)
• Interleukin-8 (blood)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Mice, Nude
• Neoplasm Transplantation
• Neoplasms, Experimental (blood, drug therapy)
• Pancreatic Neoplasms (blood, drug therapy)
• Phytotherapy
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (blood)