Antiinflammatory constituents of Atractylodes chinensis rhizome improve glomerular lesions in immunoglobulin  A nephropathy model mice

AbstractThe crude drugSojutsu, as defined by the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, is the rhizome ofAtractylodes lancea De Candolle,Atractylodes chinensis Koidzumi, or their interspecific hybrids (Asteraceae).Sojutsu is one of the traditional Kampo formulas, which are administered to patients suffering from stomach disorders, edema, and nephrotic syndrome. Although antiinflammatory effects ofSojutsu have been reported, its effects on the liver and kidney have not been extensively investigated. Here, we used aSojutsu sample identified asA.  chinensis rhizome and isolated several constituents from its ethyl acetate (EtOAc)-soluble fraction that decreased production of the proinflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO) in interleukin  1β-treated rat hepatocytes. Among the constituents in this fraction, atractylodin showed the highest activity to suppress NO production, whereas hinesol, β-eudesmol, and α-bisabolol showed low activity. Atractylodin decreased the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor  α, and lipocalin 2 messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The EtOAc-soluble fraction of theA.  chinensis rhizome extract was administered daily for 20  weeks to high immunoglobulin A (HIGA) mice, whose pathological findings resemble human immunoglobulin A nephropathy. This fraction decreased the weight of white adipose tissue and decreased mesangial proliferation and immunoglobulin A deposition in glomeruli. These results indicate that the EtO Ac-soluble fraction, which inc...
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research