title: Tupistra chinensis extract attenuates murine fulminant hepatitis with multiple targets against activated T lymphocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The extract of Tupistra chinensis (TCE) is traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases in southwestern China for hundreds of years. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the TCE against experimental hepatitis and to illustrate its potential mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effects of TCE were investigated on Con A-induced hepatitis. Profiles of multiple cytokines were measured with biometric immuno-sandwich ELISA. Proliferation, activation and apoptosis of T lymphocytes were evaluated using Western blot, MTT analysis and flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TCE significantly inhibited levels of serum transaminases and lactic dehydrogenase in mice with Con A-induced hepatitis, accompanied with marked alleviation of the liver microscopic appearances. Moreover, it decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines in a concentration-dependent manner both in vivo and in vitro. It also suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-κB-signalling in liver. These effects of TCE are attributed to its inhibition on activated T cells but not to hepatocytes protection. Flow cytometry and immunoblot assay data showed its effects on STAT1/NF-κB-signalling blockage and apoptosis induction in activated T cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings illustrate the significant potential of TCE as a novel approach for treatment of T cell-mediated inflammatory diseases.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Xuefeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Jinjin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Zijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Wenjie
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D003208:Concanavalin A; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006505:Hepatitis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D022781:Hepatocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D019668:Liliaceae; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000097:blood; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000637:Transaminases / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts; D050794:STAT1 Transcription Factor; C494080:Stat1 protein, mouse; D003208:Concanavalin A; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D000637:Transaminases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: Con A; T cells; Tupistra chinensis; experimental hepatitis; inflammation