Long Dan Xie Gan Formula Granule Promotes Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Female Guinea Pigs with Recurrent Genital Herpes

Objective To explore the effects of Long Dan Xie Gan formula granule(LDXGFG)on regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines in female guinea pigs with recurrent genital herpes(herpes simplex virus 2,HSV-2).Methods Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in blood of HSV-2-infected guinea pigs,including IL-6,IL-8,IL-10,IL-12,IFN-α,IFN-β,IFN-γ,and TNF-α,were detected by ELISA;corresponding gene expression levels in tissues were detected by real-time PCR.Results IL-6,IL-10,IL-12,IFN-α,IFN-γand TNF-αdecreased significantly in both blood and diseased tissues after infection with recurrent genital herpes.Upon feeding LDXGFG to HSV-2-infected guinea pigs,IL-6,IL-10,IL-12,IFN-α,IFN-γand TNF-αdemonstrated significant increases,similar to the effects of acyclovir(ACV).LDXGFG promoted the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in blood and tissue,with a stronger effect than ACV.Moreover,LDXGFG demonstrated broader effects than ACV.Conclusion The present results suggest that LDXGFG can serve as an alternative,inexpensive,and long-term treatment for HSV-2 infection.

Extract of Naotaifang, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, protects neuron ferroptosis induced by acute cerebral ischemia in rats

Objective:Our previous research showed that Naotaifang(a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine)extract(NTE)has clinically beneficial effects on neurological improvement of patients with acute cerebral ischemia.In this study,we investigated whether NTE protected acute brain injury in rats and whether its effects on ferroptosis could be linked to the dysfunction of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and iron metabolism.Methods:We established an acute brain injury model of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)in rats,in which we could observe the accumulation of iron in neurons,as detected by Perl’s staining.Using assay kits,we measured expression levels of ferroptosis biomarkers,such as iron,glutathione(GSH),reactive oxygen species(ROS)and malonaldehyde(MDA);further the expression levels of transferrin receptor1(TFR1),divalent metal transporter 1(DMT1),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7 A11)and GPX4 were determined using immunohistochemical analysis,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays.Results:We found that treatment with NTE reduced the expression levels of TFR1 and DMT1,reduced ROS,MDA and iron accumulation and reduced neurobehavioral scores,relative to untreated MCAO rats.Treatment with NTE increased the expression levels of SLC7 A11,GPX4 and GSH,and the number of Nissl bodies in the MCAO rats.Conclusion:Taken together,our data suggest that acute cerebral ischemia induces neuronal ferroptosis and the effects of treating MCAO rats with NTE involved inhibition of ferroptosis through the TFR1/DMT1 and SCL7 A11/GPX4 pathways.