title: The Root Extract of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. Alleviates B19-NS1-Exacerbated Liver Injuries in NZB/W F1 Mice.
abstract: The nonstructural protein NS1 of human parvovirus B19 (B19) is known to exacerbate disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, no specific medicine for B19 infection is available. The roots of Gentiana macrophylla Pall. (GM), the traditional Chinese medicine "Qinjiao," have been used for centuries to treat rheumatic disease, including SLE. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effects of GM root extract (100 and 300 mg/kg body weight) on B19-NS1-exacerbated liver injury in NZB/W F1 mice; liver tissues were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunoblotting. The GM root extract significantly decreased B19-NS1-exacerbated liver inflammation by suppressing the expressions of hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase type 2 (COX-2), interleukin (IL)-1β proteins, values of serum asparate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), and lymphocyte infiltration (P < .05). It also significantly reduced the B19-NS1-exacerbated hepatic matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) expressions by downregulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/NF-κB (p65) signaling. These findings suggest a therapeutic potential of GM root extract against B19-NS1-exacerbated liver inflammation in SLE.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chi Mei Medical Center , Tainan, Taiwan .|2 Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science , Tainan, Taiwan .
authors.forename: Ming-Jen
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Sheu
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Neurology, Chunghua Christian Hospital , Chunghua, Taiwan .|4 Department of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Chunghua Christian Hospital , Chunghua, Taiwan .
authors.forename: Chun-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Nutrition, China Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan .
authors.forename: Deng-Jye
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: 6 Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan .|7 Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital , Taichung, Taiwan .|8 Immunology Research Center, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan .
authors.forename: Tsai-Ching
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.affiliation: 6 Institute of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan .|7 Clinical Laboratory, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital , Taichung, Taiwan .|8 Immunology Research Center, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan .|9 Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University , Taichung, Taiwan .
authors.forename: Bor-Show
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Tzang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D030012:Gentiana / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008814:Mice, Inbred NZB; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D016732:Parvovirus B19, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9
keywords: Gentiana macrophylla Pall. (GM); human parvovirus B19 (B19); liver inflammation; nonstructure protein NS1; systematic lupus erythomatosus (SLE)