蒺藜皂苷的抗炎作用及其机制的初步探讨

Preliminary study on the anti-inflammatory effect and mechanism of gross saponins of Tribulus terrestris

目的探究蒺藜皂苷(GSTT)对脂多糖(LPS)诱导的小鼠炎症模型的抗炎效果及可能的机制如对IL-17、TNF-α和NF-κB通路等相关基因和蛋白质表达量的影响。方法将小鼠随机分为空白对照组、模型组、地塞米松阳性组和蒺藜皂苷给药组(50 mg/kg)。先给药7 d,第8天用LPS诱导产生炎症小鼠模型,3 h后进行眼眶取血。ELISA法检测血清中的细胞因子表达程度和免疫组化法检测小鼠胸腺IL-17、TNF-α和NF-κB通路的蛋白质表达水平的变化。结果对比模型组,蒺藜皂苷能显著降低血清中IL-17和TNF-α的水平(P<0.01)。通过免疫组化检测,蒺藜皂苷能下调IL-17、TNF-α和NF-κB蛋白表达量,对比模型组具有不同程度的下降(P<0.01)。结论蒺藜皂苷能对由LPS诱导的炎症具有防治作用,其抗炎效果通过IL-17炎症通路下调TNF-α和NF-κB蛋白质水平的表达有关,本研究为开发新型的抗炎新药提供了理论依据。

Objective To explore the anti-inflammatory effect of gross saponins of Tribulus terrestris(GSTT)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced mouse model and its possible mechanisms,such as IL-17,TNF-αand NF-κB pathway related gene and protein expression.Methods Mice were randomly divided into the control group,the model group,dexamethasone group and GSTT group(50 mg/kg).After 7 days of drug administration,the mouse model was stimulated by LPS on day 8,and the blood was taken from mouse orbit after 3 hours.The levels of serum cytokines were detected by ELISA and the expression of IL-17,TNF-αand NF-κB protein in thymus was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the model group,the levels of serum IL-17 and TNF-αwere significantly reduced in the GSTT group(P<0.05).Meantime,the expression of IL-17,TNF-αand NF-κB protein in thymus were also decreased in GSTT group(P<0.05).Conclusion GSTT has a preventive and therapeutic effect on LPS-induced inflammatory response,which may be related to down-regulation of TNF-αand NF-κB protein expression through IL-17 inflammatory pathway.This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of new anti-inflammatory drugs.