Objective To investigate the effect of
Radix-Isatidis on endotoxin-mediated signaling pathway. Methods Peritoneal monocytes
of BALB/c mice were divided into four groups. (1) the cells were
cultured in the medium containing LPS 100μg/ml 6 hours after incubation with the
Radix-Isatidis extract from 30 min at a final concentration as 1mg/ml; (2) the cells were cultured with Staphylococcus aureus after incubation with the Radix-Isatidis extract 30 min at a final concentration of 1mg/ml; (3) the cells was cultured in the medium containing LPS 100μg/ml for 6 hours after incubation 30 min with DMEM; (4) the cells were cultured for 6 hours in the medium without LPS and any other drugs. TNF, IL-6, NO values were detected in the supernatant, p38 MAPK activity was measured in cells. Then after culture for 6 hours with Radix-Isatidis concentrations diluted to 1∶8, plus LPS 100μg/ml, the p38 MAPK activity was detected. Results There was no obvious increases about p38 MAPK activity and TNF, IL-6, NO levels in the monocytes adding Radix-Isatidis extract, but they increased significantly in the cell cultures with LPS only, the difference was very significant ( P <0.01). When cultured with Staphylococcal aureus , these parameters were increased, too. After Radix-Isatidis concentration diluted, p38 MAPK activities increased gradually. Conclusion Radix-Isatidis inhibit p38 MAPK activity triggered by LPS in dose dependent fashion.