Astragalus polysaccharide inhibits liver injury in mice with viral hepatitis by reducing immune inflammation
Objective:To observe the effect of astragalus polysaccharides on liver injury in mice with viral hepatitis,and to investigate whether it can regulate the expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1(NOD1)/receptor-interacting protein 2(RIP2)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)immune inflammation mediated by signaling pathway plays a protective role in liver.Methods:Sixty female C3H/HeJ mice were divided into modeling group(50 mice)and normal group(10 mice)using a random number table.The mouse model of viral hepatitis was established by intraperitoneal injection of mouse hepatitis virus type 3(MHV-3)in the modeling group.After the successful modeling was confirmed,the surviving mice were divided into thymus peptide group(10 µg),astragalus polysaccharide low,medium and high dose groups(100,200,400 mg/kg astragalus polysaccharide lyophilized in 1 ml/100 g body weight saline)and model group by random number table.Model group and normal group were given the same amount of normal saline intraperitoneal injection,each group was given once a day for 1 month.Results:The model was confirmed by HE staining of liver tis-sue and detection of viral plaque.Compared with the normal group,the liver index,serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),IL-1β and IL-8,viral plaques in liver tissue,NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 expressions and p-NF-κB p65 level in the model group increased(P<0.05),and the liver tissue showed severe pathological changes.Compared with the model group,the liver indexes,serum ALT,AST,TBIL and TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-8,viral plaques in liver tissue,NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 expressions and p-NF-κB p65 level in the thymosin group and astragalus polysaccharide each 3-dose groups decreased(P<0.05),and the pathological changes of liver tissue were alleviated.The effect of astragalus polysaccharide was dose-dependent,and there were no significant differences in these indexes between thymosin group and astragalus polysaccharide medium dose group(P>0.05).Conclusion:Astragalus polysaccharides can improve the liver function of mice with viral hepatitis,reduce the inflammatory response and pathological changes of liver tissue,reduce the level of virus,specu-late and inhibit NOD1/RIP2/NF-κB pathway and down-regulate NOD1,RIP2 and NF-κB p65 expressions,inhibit p-NF-κB p65 level,and high dose of astragalus polysaccharide has the best effect,which is better than thymosin-α1.