title: Herb-induced autoimmune-like hepatitis in C57BL/6J mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Animal model suitable for studying herb-induced experimental autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) remains a challenging problem. A medicinal herb containing Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Sb) and Bupleurum chinense DC (Bc) has been sporadically reported to be related to liver fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sb and Bc on experimental AIH in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  C57BL/6J mice received intraperitoneal injection of Sb and/or Bc herbal extracts (1 mg/kg) for 4 or 8 weeks. Serum samples were collected to analyse serum transferase (AST, ALT), creatinine, markers for AIH and hepatic cytokine levels such as IFN-γ, IL10 and TGF-β1. Peripheral mononuclear cell (PBMC) gene expression profiles were analysed to show their effects on immune system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed that Sb or Bc treatment increased serum AST, ALT, IgG and ANA levels. Prominent necroinflammatory changes were demonstrated in the livers of Sb- or Bc-treated mice while the decrease in IFN-γ and elevation of IL10 and TGF-β1 levels in liver tissues. Furthermore, the PMBC gene expression profile suggested that Sb or Bc treatment could modulate immune responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that the presence of AIH in Sb- or Bc-treated mice and C57BL/6J strain mice is a reliable animal model for studying herb-induced AIH-like hepatitis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Orthopaedics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jir-You
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chang-Yin
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Po-Jung
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Wen-Chi
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jen-Hwey
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Wei-Shone
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Ming
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Shyr
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D029972:Bupleurum / Q000633:toxicity*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D019693:Hepatitis, Autoimmune / Q000209:etiology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D031364:Scutellaria baicalensis / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; C051274:Bupleurum root extract; D016207:Cytokines; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D010936:Plant Extracts; C499814:Scutellaria baicalensis extract; D003404:Creatinine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase
keywords: Autoantibody; Bupleurum chinense DC (Bc); Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Sb); autoimmune hepatitis (AIH); herbs