Effect of Astragalus polysaccharides on expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and NFATc4 in a rat model of experimental colitis

Cytokine. 2014 Dec;70(2):81-6. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.07.250. Epub 2014 Aug 15.

Abstract

Aim: Astragalus membranaceus is a Chinese medicinal herb and has been shown to improve hapten-induced experimental colitis. One of its major components is polysaccharides. We investigated the effect of Astragalus polysaccharides (APS) on expression of TNF-α, IL-1β and NFATc4 in a rat model of experimental colitis.

Methods: The experimental colitis model was induced by TNBS. Forty five rats were divided into five groups (n=9): Normal control group, receiving ethanol vehicle with no TNBS during induction and IP saline injection during treatment; TNBS colitis model group (TNBS+IP saline), receiving only IP saline vehicle treatment; APS low dose group (TNBS+L-APS), receiving APS 100mg/kg; APS high dose group (TNBS+H-APS), receiving APS 200mg/kg; and positive control group (TNBS+Dexm), receiving dexamethasone 0.3mg/kg. The clinical features, macroscopic and microscopic scores were assessed. The expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β and NFATc4 were measured by real-time PCR and ELISA assays.

Results: Compared to normal control rats, TNBS+IP saline had significant weight loss, increased macroscopic and microscopic scores, higher disease activity index (DAI) up-regulation of TNF-α, IL-1β and NFATc4 mRNA expression and up-regulation of TNF-α and IL-1β protein expression. Compared to TNBS+IP saline, treatment with APS or dexamethasone significantly reduced DAI, partially but significantly prevented TNBS colitis-induced weight loss and improved both macroscopic and microscopic scores; high dose APS or dexamethasone significantly down-regulated TNF-α and IL-1β expressions (both mRNA and protein) and up-regulated NFATc4 mRNA and protein expression. The effect of high dose APS and dexamethasone is comparable.

Conclusions: APS significantly improved experimental TNBS-induced colitis in rats through regulation of TNF-α, IL-1β and NFATc4 expression.

Keywords: Astragalus polysaccharides; Experimental colitis; IL-1β; NFATc4; TNF-α.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astragalus propinquus / chemistry*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Colitis / chemically induced
  • Colitis / genetics*
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Colon / drug effects
  • Colon / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Interleukin-1beta / genetics*
  • Interleukin-1beta / metabolism
  • Male
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / genetics*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism

Substances

  • Interleukin-1beta
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nfatc4 protein, rat
  • Polysaccharides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid