Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of Xiaoluanwan(II) in treating lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced epididymitis and its impact on the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Methods: The murine epididymitis model was established through local injection of LPS. The study included a control group (n=5), a model group (n=5), a model group treated with Xiaoluanwan(II) (Ⅱ) (n=5), and a saline group treated with Xiaoluanwan(II) (n=5). After 14 consecutive days of oral administration of Xiaoluanwan(II) or physiological saline, pathological changes in the epididymal tissues, expression levels of NLRP3 inflammasome and Caspase-1, as well as associated protein levels were examined.
Results: Compared to the model group, Xiaoluanwan(II) significantly alleviated inflammatory cell infiltration and lesions, as evidenced by a reduction in the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, Cleaved-Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18, GSDMD, and p-p38 MAPK (P<0.05 or P<0.01), thereby mitigating the inflammatory response.
Conclusion: Xiaoluanwan(II) alleviates epididymal inflammation and ameliorates mouse epididymal epithelial injury by modulating the NLRP3-mediated cell pyroptosis pathway.
Keywords: epididymitis; Xiaoluanwan(II); NLRP3; cell pyroptosis; mice.