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Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Protects Mice From ConA-Induced Hepatitis via Inhibiting NF-κB and IFN-γ/STAT1 Pathways

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Abstract

Introduction

Sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) is a water-soluble derivative of tanshinone IIA, the main pharmacologically active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of STS on concanavalin A (ConA)-induced hepatitis (CIH) in mice, an experimental model of immune-mediated liver injury.

Results

C57BL/6 mice pretreated with STS released much less alanine transaminase into plasma in response to ConA challenge and had reduced inflammatory infiltration and hepatocyte apoptosis in the liver compared with control mice pretreated with vehicle solutions. Thus, STS protected mice from CIH. In STS-pretreated mice induced with CIH, we found abrogated tumor necrosis factor-α and interferon (IFN)-γ production. Moreover, mRNA expressions of IFN-inducible protein-10 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1α in these mice were decreased. The mechanism of anti-inflammatory effects of STS may be attributed to its modulation of crucial inflammatory signaling pathways, including NF-κB and IFN-γ/STAT1.

Conclusion

In conclusion, STS was capable of protecting mice from immune-mediated liver injury in vivo, and the protection was associated with its suppressive effect on the production of important inflammatory mediators through modulating NF-κB and IFN-γ/STAT1 signaling pathways.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grants from the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (04DZ14902), Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project (T0206), and the Knowledge Innovation Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (J0171-1905).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200025, People’s Republic of China

    Yan Xu, Dechun Feng & Lingyun Xu

  2. Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, People’s Republic of China

    Ying Wang, Shuting Lin & Lingyun Xu

  3. Graduate University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, People’s Republic of China

    Yan Xu & Dechun Feng

  4. Building I Room 712, 225 South Chongqing Road, Shanghai, 200025, People’s Republic of China

    Lingyun Xu

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  1. Yan Xu
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Correspondence to Lingyun Xu.

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Xu, Y., Feng, D., Wang, Y. et al. Sodium Tanshinone IIA Sulfonate Protects Mice From ConA-Induced Hepatitis via Inhibiting NF-κB and IFN-γ/STAT1 Pathways. J Clin Immunol 28, 512–519 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10875-008-9206-3

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