Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by Pulsatilla decoction.
Methods: 84 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into ethanol control group, model group, SASP group, Pulsatilla decoction group (further divided into low, middle and high dose group) and zVAD group (n = 12). Intragastric and celiac drug administration were used in each group respectively. The expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-18 and IL-1beta in the colons were detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR, Elisa and immunohistochemistry after treatment respectively.
Results: Compared with the model group, SASP group, middle and high dose group could treat IBD effectively (P < 0.01), while this effect was restrained in zVAD group (P < 0.05). In the meantime, middle and high dose group could effectively raise the expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-18 and IL-1beta in the colons (P < 0.05), while this effect was also inhibited in zVAD group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Pulsatilla decoction is likely to exert their therapeutic effect by activating NLRP3 inflammasome which further promote the formation of the corresponding inflammation factors such as 1L-18 and IL-1beta.