Polysaccharide of Danggui Buxue Tang, an Ancient Chinese Herbal Decoction, Induces Expression of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines Possibly Via Activation of NFκB Signaling in Cultured RAW 264.7 Cells.
Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT) is an ancient Chinese herbal decoction containing two herbs, Astragali Radix (AR) and Angelicae Sinensis Radix (ASR): this herbal decoction serves as dietary supplement for women during menopause. DBT has been known to modulate immune responses, and its polysaccharide is proposed to be one of the active components. However, the polysaccharide-induced signaling in immune activation is not revealed. Here, we are identifying that the immune activation, triggered by DBT, could be mediated by polysaccharide. In cultured macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells), the application of polysaccharide-enriched extract of DBT significantly increased the expressions of mRNA and protein levels of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor. The induction was much stronger than the polysaccharide extract generated singly from AR, or from ASR, or from their simple mixture. The induced cytokine release in cultured macrophage was revealed to be triggered by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling, including (i) degradation of IkBα; (ii) translocation of NF-κB p65 from cytosol to nuclei; and (iii) activation of NF-κB transcriptional elements. These results verified the possible role of DBT polysaccharide in modulating immune responses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
Amy Gw
AG
Gong
Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
Laura Ml
LM
Zhang
Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
Candy Tw
CT
Lam
Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
Miranda L
ML
Xu
HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Nanshan, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
Huai Y
HY
Wang
Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.|HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Nanshan, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
H Q
HQ
Lin
Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.|HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Nanshan, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
Tina Tx
TT
Dong
Division of Life Science and Center for Chinese Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.|HKUST Shenzhen Research Institute, Hi-Tech Park, Nanshan, Shenzhen, 518000, Guangdong Province, China.
Karl Wk
KW
Tsim
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry*; D000067996:RAW 264.7 Cells / Q000737:chemistry*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
D016207:Cytokines; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016328:NF-kappa B; D011134:Polysaccharides; C477279:danggui buxue decoction
Danggui Buxue Tang; immune system; polysaccharide