Sasim attenuates LPS-induced TNF-alpha production through the induction of HO-1 in THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells.
OBJECTIVE
Sasim, a traditional prescription composed of seven herbal mixtures, has been widely used as an oriental medicine for the treatment of cerebral infarction in Korea. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which the formula affects immune processing in cerebral infarction patients remain unknown.


METHODS
The levels of secretory protein of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were determined in both THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like (THP-1/M) cells and Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarction patients. Also, the levels of protein and mRNA of TNF-alpha and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected in THP-1/M cells under our experimental condition.


RESULTS
Sasim markedly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha at the levels of secretory protein and mRNA in both PBMCs from cerebral infarction patients and THP-1/M cells. Interestingly, Sasim strongly induced HO-1, the rate-limiting enzyme of heme catabolism, at both the protein and mRNA levels in THP-1/M cells. Treatment with tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), an inhibitor of the catalytic activity of HO, significantly abolished the suppressive effect of Sasim on LPS-induced TNF-a production in THP-1/M cells.


CONCLUSIONS
These data indicate that Sasim may be beneficial in the cessation of inflammatory processes associated with cerebral infarction through the induction of HO-1 expression.
Kim
Yunha
Y
Vestibulocochlear System Research Center and Department of Microbiology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, South Korea.
So
Hong-Seob
HS
Moon
Byung-Soon
BS
Youn
Myung-Ja
MJ
Kim
Hyung-Jin
HJ
Shin
Yong-Il
YI
Moon
Seong-Keun
SK
Song
Mi Sun
MS
Choi
Kyu Yun
KY
Song
Jeho
J
Park
Raekil
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002460:Cell Line; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004790:Enzyme Induction / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1 / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C522580:Sasim; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D051547:Heme Oxygenase-1